Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve: Pierce Hill and Camels Hump (1)

General Information

Distance:  17.2 kilometers
Total climb:  779 meters
Time taken:  4 hours
Map:  Tidbinbilla 8627-2S, 1:25 000
Guide:  link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  49 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 71471 74624
Destination map grid reference:  Pierce Hill - 55H FA 72658 80384
                                                    Camels Hump - 55H FA 72016 79083
End point:  same as start

This was the first time that I completed the walk to Camels Hump - later walks were on 27 October 2016 and 26 November 2016.

Route

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

Description

Camels Hump is probably the most distinctive peak in the Tidbinbilla Range. At slightly above 1430 meters elevation it is not the highest peak in the range, but is instantly recognisable by its pointy peak and angular sides.Pierce Hill, a peak at 1364 meters 2 kilometers further north along the Tidbinbilla Range.

There are two alternative starting points for climbing Camels Hump, Greens picnic area and Mountain Creek carpark, but they both link up with the same management trail under the eastern ridge of the Tidbinbilla Range. We chose to start at Mountain Creek carpark since it is slightly shorter in distance and not as much of a climb. From Mountain Creek carpark we followed the walking track past the walkers register until it meets a management trail which we followed to the right. This is where the climb begins, and by the time we met the management trail heading down to Greens, a little under 2 kilometers into the hike, we had climbed about 200 meters in elevation. The track continues past another management trail which heads down towards Nil Desperandum homestead, and about 3 kilometers further on from that trail, and 265 meters higher in elevation, the walking trail to the peak of Camels Hump starts on the left.

On this occasion we walked past the trail to Camels Hump and continued along the Camelback Fire Trail to reach Pierce Hill. We considered taking a detour along the way to Elsies Falls (map grid reference 55H FA 72487 79374), but the steepness of the climb down and the dryness of the creek bed at the Fire Trail turned us off that idea. Eventually we arrived at Pierce Hill trig where we found some good views in several directions.

We retraced our steps to Camels Hump and took the short, but very steep climb up a narrow trail to the summit. This trail is actually quite treacherous and a lot of care needs to be taken. Soon after it begins there are some high rocks, and at this point the trail splits so that you can either climb right over the rocks or around them to the right. I chose to climb over the rocks, but they are quite vertiginous. I needed to focus on the rocks just in front of me to avoid thinking about how far down it was on both sides.

There is a second set of rocks a bit further on where there is again a choice to go up and over or around to the right. Eventually the peak was found.

The views from the peak are a bit obscured by trees, but there are a few spots where you can get a peek through. The best views, particularly towards the rocky Johns Peak, are from the summit trail.

Walking back down the summit track you get a really good idea of how steep it all is.

Although I climbed up and over the rocks on ascent to the summit, I chose to go around them (to the left) on the descent. Back on the management trail I headed back the way I had come. I needed to take care on the last kilometer or so of the trail since its sandy surface and steep decline made footing treacherous. My foot slipped out from under me on a number of occasions, although I managed not to fall. This is a great walk with some spectacular views which can be done in half a day. It isn't an easy walk, but the route is well marked and easy to follow.