General Information
Distance: 14.4 kilometers
Total climb: unknown
Time taken: about 4 hours
Maps: Corin Dam 8626-1N 1:25 000
Guide: none
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO: 75 kilometers
Start point map grid reference: 55H FA 61322 48676
Destination map grid reference: Mount Gingera - 55H FA 61271 61553
Brumbys Flats - 55H FA 60734 61877
End point: same as start
Route
http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/
Description
The starting point for the hike was the locked gate on Mount Franklin Road below Mount Ginini (which is as far as the public can drive south on Mount Franklin Road). We started the walk by continuing south along Mount Franklin Road roughly following the 1650 meter contour line on the eastern side of the Brindabella Range. After about 4 kilometers we passed Stockyard Spur track on the left and about 900 meters after that came to Pryors Hut, where we paused for our first break.
We then continued south along Mount Franklin Road a little over 1 kilometer from Pryors Hut where we came to the foot trail that leads to the summit of Mount Gingera (map grid reference 55H FA 61613 62088). This trail winds through fairly open country with occasional views of the surrounding ranges.
The track climbs 200 meters in just over 1 kilometer to the rocky summit of Mount Gingera (elevation 1855 meters), where more panoramic views can be found. Even in March there was still snow in rock cracks.
After another break at the summit we went off-trail, heading northwest to Brumbys Flats only 700 meters distant. This provided some more views to the south and west.
From Brumbys Flats we headed northeast, aiming for a gap (map grid reference 55H FA 60969 62135) between Mount Gingera and the unnamed peak of 1847 meters elevation northwest of it. We then started a steep descent down towards Pryors Hut through fairly dense forest, stopping in our tracks at one point when we came across a large number of feral pigs and having to wait until they moved on. Some more good views to the east from this descent, including in the later stages an elevated view of Pryors Hut.
Reaching Pryors Hut once again, we retraced our steps up Mount Franklin Road to our starting point.
Being mostly along Mount Franklin Road, this is a relatively easy walk through some very scenic country. As the second highest peak in the Australian Capital Territory (behind only Bimberi Peak at 1912 meters elevation), the views from the summit of Mount Gingera are extensive. The loop around to Brumbys Flats and down to Pryors Hut gives an opportunity for going off-trail and is very scenic in itself, with much of it still being above 1800 meters elevation.
We then continued south along Mount Franklin Road a little over 1 kilometer from Pryors Hut where we came to the foot trail that leads to the summit of Mount Gingera (map grid reference 55H FA 61613 62088). This trail winds through fairly open country with occasional views of the surrounding ranges.
The track climbs 200 meters in just over 1 kilometer to the rocky summit of Mount Gingera (elevation 1855 meters), where more panoramic views can be found. Even in March there was still snow in rock cracks.
After another break at the summit we went off-trail, heading northwest to Brumbys Flats only 700 meters distant. This provided some more views to the south and west.
From Brumbys Flats we headed northeast, aiming for a gap (map grid reference 55H FA 60969 62135) between Mount Gingera and the unnamed peak of 1847 meters elevation northwest of it. We then started a steep descent down towards Pryors Hut through fairly dense forest, stopping in our tracks at one point when we came across a large number of feral pigs and having to wait until they moved on. Some more good views to the east from this descent, including in the later stages an elevated view of Pryors Hut.
Reaching Pryors Hut once again, we retraced our steps up Mount Franklin Road to our starting point.
Being mostly along Mount Franklin Road, this is a relatively easy walk through some very scenic country. As the second highest peak in the Australian Capital Territory (behind only Bimberi Peak at 1912 meters elevation), the views from the summit of Mount Gingera are extensive. The loop around to Brumbys Flats and down to Pryors Hut gives an opportunity for going off-trail and is very scenic in itself, with much of it still being above 1800 meters elevation.
