Hume and Hovell Walking Track: Mount Wee Jasper

General Information

Distance: 15.6 kilometers
Total climb: 700 meters elevation gain, total climb may be as much as 900 meters
Time taken: 5 hours
Map:  Couragago 8627-4S 1:25 000
Guide:  link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  88 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  55H FB 52524 10232
Destination map grid reference:  55H FB 48996 07860
End point:  same as start

Route

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

Description

This hike is along a part of the Hume and Hovell Walking Track, which runs from Yass to Albury-Wodonga, a distance of 440 kilometers. The starting point for our hike was the Fitzpatrick Trackhead, off Wee Jasper Road about 4 kilometers south of the town of Wee Jasper. From there we hiked up to the nearby caves for a look.

We then returned to the walking trail and heading roughly northwest parallel to Wee Jasper Creek. At map grid reference 55H FB 51286 10999 there is a stile to be crossed, at which point the track heads sharply south starting the main climb to the peak of Mount Wee Jasper. There are some nice views back over pine forests as you gain elevation.

At map grid reference 55H FB 50655 10377 (about 3 kilometers into the walk) we had to turn off the wide track we had been following on to a narrow walking trail.

Although the map shows the trail crossing several watercourses, when we went at the height of summer there was only one that had any obvious water in it (map grid reference 55H FB 49968 08439), and that was fairly unimpressive. We drank the water without any ill effects, though maybe we were just lucky.

Soon after we began the final ascent to Mount Wee Jasper.

The summit was fairly densely forested and there were clear views only towards Brindabella national Park to the east.

Having had lunch at the summit, we returned the way that we had come. Even though this was mostly downhill, the heat of late February along with the dearth of water made this return trip quite stressful. I suspect that it would be best to avoid this hike in the heat of summer. The extent of climbing required makes this a long and tiring walk. There is little water to be found along the way so it is necessary to carry at least 2-3 litres.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve: Tidbinbilla Peak

General Information

Distance: 8 kilometers
Total climb: 670 meters
Time taken: I don't recall, but far too long
Maps:  Tidbinbilla 8627-2S 1:25 000
Guide:  None
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  49 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 71471 74624
Destination map grid reference:  55H FA 70691 76926
End point:  same as start

Route

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

Description

The starting point for the hike was Mountain Creek carpark. We started up the walking trail from the carpark and turned right where it met Tidbinbilla Range Road. We followed the road to a point at map reference 55H FA 71916 75748, about 2 kilometers into the walk, where there is a ridge heading up towards Tidbinbilla Peak. This is where the walk became difficult. We were almost immediately faced with a steep climb and a thick tangle of post-bushfire regrowth which we had to fight through almost to the summit.





Given the conditions, following the ridge to Tidbinbilla Peak was difficult but we eventually reached a flatter and more open area south of the peak. Some good views here.



We then had a last bit of a walk through waist-high scrub to the summit.



Some more great views from here, as you would expect.





After a break at the top we fought through all the scrub and regrowth to get back to Tidbinbilla Range Road and return to the start point. We were tired, scratched up and dirty from brushing up against burned tree trunks. Even though there is a sense of achievement and great views at the summit, I probably wouldn't recommend this walk. I suspect it will just get tougher as the regrowth gets thicker over time.

Bungonia National Park: Red Track

General Information

Distance:  4.3 kilometers
Total climb:  400 meters
Time taken:  5 hours
Map:  Caoura 8928-3N; 1:25 000
Guide:  link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  124 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  56H KG 27160 44914
Destination:  loop walk
End point:  same as start

Route

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

Description

The starting point for this walk was the William Mitchell carpark. From there we followed the Red Track and got our first view of the Slot Canyon we would be walking through.



The descent to the western end of the canyon was very steep, but it didn't take too long to reach the bottom. At the western end of the canyon is a rather nice dry sandy area with high walls all around. This was a good place for a morning tea break.







Continuing eastwards along the canyon the sand gradually gave way to rocks which considerably slowed down our progress. We were required to go over, around or under a tangle of huge boulders.





Part way through the rocks Bungonia Creek also made an appearance, requiring us to trudge through the water at some points. Gradually the rocks became smaller and we could walk along Bungonia Creek without too many obstacles in our way. At map grid reference 56H KG 28007 45795 we reached the point where the Red Track combs back up out of the canyon. This is a very steep and difficult climb, with an ascent of 350 metres over a distance of 1 kilometer. Eventually we reached the point where the Red, Green and White Tracks meet, at which point we headed west back towards our starting point. This is a difficult but very rewarding walk.