Hume and Hovell Walking Track: Mt Wee Jasper

General Information

Grading:  hard 

Distance:  15.6 kilometers 

Total climb:  1008 meters 

Time taken:  5 hours

Map:  Couragago 8627-4S, 1:25 000 

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

 

Previous Similar Walks

26 February 2015

Route

 

 

Description

We started this walk from the Fitzpatrick Trackhead, off Wee Jasper Road about 4 kilometers south of Wee Jasper. The walk can be shortened by about 2.6 kilometers by starting at a point about 2.2 kilometers further along Wee Jasper Road from Fitzpatrick Trackhead (map reference 55H FB 51293 11000).

The track up to Mt Wee Jasper is pretty much a relentless uphill climb, but the track is in great condition and is well-marked all the way. The first section parallels Wee Jasper Road for about 1.3 kilometers before turning south through farm paddocks to the Wee Jasper State Forest.

Once in the State Forest the track meanders through numerous gullies and up spurs to the summit of the mountain. We found a bit of residual snow above 1000 meters before we reached the summit, which is 1122 meters.

Not much of a view from the summit, but back down the track a bit there are some views of the western side of the Brindabellas.

We went back down the track the way we'd come until we found a sunny spot for lunch with views to the north.

We then returned to the starting point.

Ginninderry Conservation Corridor: Uriarra Crossing, Shepherds Lookout and the Swing Bridges

General Information

Grading:  medium

Distance:   19.1 kilometers

Total climb:   565 meters

Time taken:   3 hours 30 minutes (walking very fast)

Maps:   Umburra 8627-1S 1:25 000

Walk information:  https://www.ginninderry.org/corridor-walking-tracks

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   17 kilometers

Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 81450 99525

Destination map grid reference:   None

End point:  Same as start

 

Previous Similar Walks

Ginninderry Conservation Corridor: 23 November 2021, 22 May 2024, 28 May 2024
Uriarra Crossing: 11 October 2014, 9 August 2015, 18 June 2020

Route

Description

After a few weeks of very ordinary weather I took advantage of a perfect Winter's Sunday to hike all of the walking tracks from The Link at Strathnairn: the Uriarra Loop, the Shepherd's Lookout loop and the Woodland/Nguurung Bila loop.

Starting at The Link in McClymont Way Strathnairn I walked the (relatively) old track towards Shepherds Lookout, but deviated to the Uriarra Loop and then back up to Shepherds Lookout itself. Leaving the Lookout I made my way to Wallaroo Spur and followed the new track back to where the Woodland/Nguurung Bila track (pink and blue arrows) starts. I followed the Woodland track (pink arrows) first and then returned via the Nguurung Bila track. Nice views towards Pig Hill...

...and back up at Shepherds Lookout.

Hume and Hovell Walking Track: Along Micalong Creek to Micalong Creek Camp Ground

General Information

Distance:   15.3 kilometers

Total climb:   363 meters

Time taken:   4 hours 26 minutes

Map:  Bobbys Plains 8627-3N 1:25 000

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   90 kilometers (via Brindabella)

Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 39856 94716

Destination map grid reference:  55H FA 43189 98472

End point:  same as start

Route

Description

This walk starts at the Bossowa Campsite, about 1 kilometer north of Brindabella Road on Micalong Creek. We started the walk by crossing the footbridge over the creek and following the trail around to the north east. Before long we came to a ford with some stepping stones and went back to the original side of the creek. The crossing was not easy as the rocks were irregular and slippery in places.

From here we followed the Hume & Hovell Track signs. At first we were walking along a vehicular trail which paralleled Micalong Creek. Pine forest was on the right, with native bush and views of the creek on the left.

At map reference 55H FA 41486 96674 the rack narrows to a walking trail which winds through a narrow gully above the creek with some great views.

The trail crosses over the creek, normally by a footbridge which was not at its best when we were there:

Nevertheless, we were able to cross and continue following the trail signs to the Micalong Creek Camp Ground, which is right on a very nice part of the creek.

Unfortunately the camp ground itself was a bit disappointing, with structures graffitied and items of rubbish left around.

We returned to the starting point by much the same route, but took the more direct trail at the end.

Uriarra: Blue Range

General Information

 

Grading: hard

Distance:   18.2 kilometers

Total climb:   737 meters

Time taken:   4 hours 25 minutes

Maps:   Cotter Dam 8627-2N 1:25 000

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   37 kilometers

Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 70471 92950

Destination map grid reference:   no specific destination

End point:  Same as start

Route

Description

This walk started at the locked gate before the Blue Range Hut Camping Ground. We started by heading north, intending to visit the Sherwood daffodils, but after we turned off to the right we found that the Sherwood area was closed due to feral animal culls and we had to retrace our steps to One Stick Road. We then started climbing up towards Blue Range, at first to the west and then veering round more to the north-east, following whichever trail looked to be promising. Crossing the ACT/NSW border we found ourselves eventually on Genges Trail, which meanders along Blue Ridge. We followed Genges Trail for some distance until it ended at Blue Range Road, which we then followed back down the range. There were some great views to the east along the way from both Genges Trail and Blue Range Road.

We then followed whatever trails seemed to take us in the right direction until we came back to our starting point. 

Uriarra: Two Sticks Hill and Lower Blue Ridge

General Information

Grading: hard

Distance:   16.5 kilometers

Total climb:   717 meters

Time taken:   3 hour 50 minutes

Maps:   Cotter Dam 8627-2N 1:25 000

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   32 kilometers

Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 74137 95543

Destination map grid reference:   55H FA 71375 95817

End point:  Same as start

Route

Description

This walk started at a small carpark just off Mountain Creek Road 1.5 kilometers north of Uriarra Road, my usual starting point for the Sherwood Daffodils walk. Proceeding through the gate at the carpark I climbed to the top of the ridge. Passing the dam and the fence I turned off on to the rougher track to the right through the trees:

 

This track took me to the power lines and gave some good views to the south and east.

Past the power lines the trail follows the border of the pine plantation and becomes less distinct. Recently fallen pine trees cover the trail in a number of places. After a short distance the trail turns sharply to the west and I gradually made my way back to Sherwood Road, which I followed past the turnoff to the daffodils and over the locked gate. Keeping to the right I followed the track on the western side of Two Sticks Hill, looking for a place to climb to the summit. At map reference 55H FA 71059 96088 I found this place, which looked promising enough to try:

 

It was a very steep climb, but it did take me up to the NSW/ACT border marker, and past that to the rather unimpressive summit of Two Sticks Hill.

 

I descended the same way, which was quite tricky and treacherous given the gradient and loose surface. Back at the main track I continued north to a locked gate where I turned left up a very rough and steep trail, where I had a rare sighting of a lyrebird. This trail turned around to the south, following the base of Blue Ridge. At first the track was rough, steep and slippery, but soon became a well-maintained management trail. This trail proved to be one of the highlights of the walk: beautiful native bush and all I could hear was birds and my own footsteps. It helped that by this time the sun had come out.

I continued south along this trail until I came to map reference 55H FA 70149 94632, where I turned left and followed that trail to One Stick Road and West Knob Road, which took me back to Sherwood Road and my starting point at the carpark.

 

Kosciuszko National Park: Charlotte Pass to Guthega [and return]

General Information

Grading:  medium

Distance:    19 kilometers

Total climb:    660 meters

Time taken:   4 hours 30 minutes

Maps:   Perisher Valley 8525-2S  1:25 000

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   220 kilometers

Start point map grid reference:  55H FV 19089 67358

Destination map grid reference:  55H FV 23213 73018

End point:  same as start

 

Route

 

Description

This new walking trail is the first section of the planned Snowies Alpine Walk.

We started at Charlotte Pass, and at the car park walked down the very steep track towards the Snowy River below. The start of the trail to Guthega begins on the right, a few hundred meters before the river. Much of the initial section is along raised metal causeway following along beside the Snowy River.

After a while the track starts to go up and down and through some nice stands of gum trees

Perhaps the highlight of the walk is the suspension bridge over Spencers Creek.

The track also passes beside the Illawong Bridge over the Snowy River and Guthega Dam before taking you into Guthega itself.

My walking companion (actually my wife) was pretty worn out by the time we reached Guthega, so she stayed behind in the cafe while I walked back to Charlotte Pass to fetch the car. The climb up from the Snowy River to the Charlotte Pass car park was a killer at the end of such a long walk.

Blythburn Cottage

General Information

Grading:  hard

Distance: 17.8 kilometers
Total climb: 727 meters
Time taken: 6 hours
Map: Corin Dam 8626-1N 1:25 000
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  50 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 74893 68589
Destination:  55H FA 80286 69556
End Point:  Same as start

NOTE: Blythburn Cottage and most of this walk are on privately leased land. We undertook the walk with the leaseholder's permission, for which we express our gratitude.

Route 

Description

We started this walk at the point where the Smokers Trail meets the Corin Road. We first proceeded up management trails through native bushland and residual pine plantations to a point at map reference
55H FA 75654 68474. From here we had to find a walking track which headed east paralleling the south side of Punch Bowl Creek. This proved to be more difficult than we hoped since the rock cairn that was supposed to be there has disappeared. Eventually we found it on the eastern side of the management trail slightly up from the point where it turns sharply to the left. It's a bit tricky to pick out initially, but obvious once you see it.

We followed the trail and after a short time started to hear roaring waters ahead: the waterfalls on Punch Bowl Creek.

The trail continues through some very beautiful bushland...

...until it clears to give some more open views to the east.

Eventually the trail comes to a gate at the border of Namadgi National Park, at which point there are some old vehicular tracks leading through the private lease land. We followed these through White Horse Flat and into an open valley. With thistles.

After some looking around we located Blythburn Cottage and paused there for lunch. Blythburn was the home of "pastoralist and poet" Elizabeth McKeahnie, from 1882 until her death in 1919. It's well worth following the link to find out more about this fascinating woman.

We headed back pretty much the same way we had come. A slight glitch at the end where management trails marked on the map leading back down to Corin Road seem to have disappeared over time, and this added a bit of distance to the overall tally.

Namadgi National Park: Boboyan Valley

General Information

Grading:  medium

Distance:  17.65 kilometers 

Total climb:  219 meters 

Time taken:  4 hours 5 minutes 

Map:  Yaouk 8626-2N, 1:25 000 

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  81 kilometers 

Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 79942 30000 

Destination map grid reference:  Boboyan Homestead ruin 55H FA 78620 31278

                                                     Lutons Crutching Shed 55H FA 75795 33510 

                                                     Lone Pine Homestead ruin 55H FA 74859 32454  

End point:  same as start

Route

 

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

Description

The starting point for this walk was the locked gate on Old Boboyan Road, about one kilometer from Boboyan Road.

Passing through the gate we followed Old Boboyan Road through Boboyan Valley with Naas Creek on our right and views of snow-capped mountains.

At about the 2 kilometer point we reached the Boboyan Homestead ruin just off the road on the left. There is not much left of the early-1900's homestead apart from foundation stones and the chimney, but it is in a beautiful elevated position above Naas Creek.

We continued along Old Boboyan Road until near the point where it crosses over Naas Creek.

We headed up Sams Creek Firetrail through to the 1960's-era Lutons Crutching Shed, where we paused for a break.

From here we decided to look for the Lone Pine Homestead ruin, taking a shortcut through the bush to Grassy Creek Firetrail. Although we were looking in the right place we didn't manage to find the ruin. We suspect that it may have been obscured among the fallen trees and  bushfire damage, but maybe we just didn't look well enough.

We started our return journey back the way we came along the Grassy Creek Firetrail with Sheep Station Creek on our left. The Creek was particularly spectacular.

After passing through the forested are on our right we cut across country back to Old Boboyan Road which we followed back to our starting point.

Most of the area we walked through was not affected by the 2020 bushfires, although the area north of Sheep Station Creek was burnt. To get through to this part of Namadgi National Park, however, we had to drive through almost constant severe bushfire damage south of Apollo Road.