CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB ACTIVITY PROGRAM

May 2008

The program for a month usually covers walks from the second Wednesday of the month to the second Wednesday of the following month. This program covers from the second Wednesday of May to the second Wednesday of June.

For more walks, see the Program for last month or next month.

If you are not familiar with the procedures of the Club, please read the Information for Walkers for details of booking on a walk, gradings, our disclaimer, search and rescue procedures, equipment hire etc.

Wednesday 14 May: Wednesday walk

The regular mid-week walk series continues, close to Canberra with a destination to be decided. Contact the leader before 8pm Tuesday to find out destination and meeting place. Leader: Allan M

Saturday 17 May: Tallaganda State Forest–Mt Lowden – M/M

Start from Donohue Hopkins Huts and climb directly through moist forest to Mt Lowden Trig. The descent will be via the Tower and Lowden Trig fire trail. Car shuffle required Map: Bendoura 1:25,000 Leader: Chris L Transport: ~$20

(16), 17–18 May: Durras weekend – M/E

Leave Canberra Friday night, stay in comfortable cabins at Depot Beach Caravan Park. Saturday walk is an ascent of Durras Mountain through the rainforest from the SW – not the usual Pebbly Beach–Pretty Beach route – and views to take your breath away as you descend facing the sea. Sunday will be the spectacular Little Forest Plateau with views to the Budawangs, Pigeon House and beyond. After the Plateau, we return directly home. Eat at the cabins on Saturday night, each person responsible for his/her own meal. About 5hrs walking on Saturday, 4hrs on Sunday. Maps: Kioloa/Durras/Tianjara/Milton 1:25,000. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), mailto:stan.marks@infrastructure.gov.au Transport: ~$40, Accommodation: ~$50

Saturday 24 May: Nattai Gorge/Boxvale Tramway – M/M

Walk through light forest then traverse the spectacular and beautiful Nattai Gorge near Mittagong. Lunch at Boxvale Creek then back to the cars along the historic tramway alignment. All on track but a steep climb out of the gorge. About 4 ½ hrs actual walking. Map: Mittagong Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), mailto:stan.marks@infrastructure.gov.au Transport: ~$30

Sunday 25 May: Namadgi N.P. – Mount Clear Circuit – L/M-R

From the Mt Clear carpark we’ll head along the Naas Valley track and visit Horse Gully Hut along the way. Some bushbashing and a 300 metre climb to the Mt Clear ridge line. We’ll lunch by the sizeable Mt Clear trig and then head back along the firetrail and a bit of bushbashing to shorten the return journey. Map: Colinton 1:25,000. Leader: John K Transport: ~$16. Limit: 8.

Sunday 25 May: Murrumbidgee River – S /E

Take the Cotter Road to the Casuarina Sands car park. Meet near the toilets at 2pm for a wander on track along the river. We will go ‘out and back’, the track follows the river closely for about 4km. Finish 5-00pm. Map: Cotter Dam. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), mailto:stan.marks@infrastructure.gov.au Transport: drive yourself but tell me when you book if you need a ride.

24–26 May: Mother Woila, Scout Hat – M/M, X

The forests of the Deua should temper the cool of the season, but they hide some interesting summits. A couple of them are ‘icons’ that offer interesting rock scrambles and views; we’ll use a rough track to access a remote spot to camp two nights, and on Sunday explore off-track across the ridgetops to them. Maps: Snowball, Badja 1:25,000. Leader: Rupert B Transport: $30 Limit: 6.

Tuesday 27 May: Orroral Valley and environs – L/E-M,X

An exploration of indigenous and European sites in the Orroral Valley. Some you will have seen before, others may be new. Trust me. Up to 29 km and 400 m total climb – we’ll stop when we’ve had enough. Maps: Rendezvous Creek and Corin Dam. Leader: John E Transport: ~$10. Further details at: http://jevans.pcug.org.au

Saturday 31 May: Bundanoon Circuit – M/E

Late start, short car shuffle. A walk combining various tracks near Bundanoon, visiting Coal Mine Falls, Mt Carnarvon, Tooths Lookout, Fairy Bower Falls, the Amphitheatre, Riverview Lookout and (at dusk) Glow Worm Glen. Bring a torch. We will have dinner on the way home. Map: Bundanoon 1:25,000 Leader: Jeff B Transport: ~$30. Limit 12.

 Saturday 31 May: Molonglo Gorge – S/E

 Surprise yourself at the attractiveness of this nearby gorge. Walk on track beside the gorge, returning through the forest, perfect for a winter afternoon. Be at the track head (down Kowen Rd which comes off Sutton Road a short distance from the Piallago Rd/Yass Rd/Sutton Rd junction near Queanbeyan) at 2pm. Back by 5pm. Map: Bungendore Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), mailto:stan.marks@infrastructure.gov.au Transport: drive yourself but tell me when you book if you need a lift.

Sunday 1 June: Mundoonen Nature Reserve – M/E-M

 This reserve is just south of the Hume Highway between Gunning and Yass. We will explore the reserve, which is undulating with a cover of nice, open forest. A mixture of track and easy off track. About 4½ hrs actual walking. Map: Gunning 1:50,000. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), mailto:stan.marks@infrastructure.gov.au Transport: ~$15

31 May–1 June: Beginners Overnight trip- Orroral and Mt McKeahnie – S/R

On Saturday, wander up the Orroral and camp near Sawpit Creek. Sunday, early rise, day-packs, climb McKeahnie, return to base, pack-up then out. Maps: Corin Dam, Rendezvous Creek 1:25,000 Leaders: Jenny & Rob H Transport:~$9.

Wednesday 4 June, 7-30 pm: Navigation refresher #1

A review of the basics of Map & Compass Leaders: Jenny & Rob H

7–9 June: Royal National Park – L/E

Leave Canberra around 9am Saturday, lunch at the Robertson Pie Shop then a 1½ hr walk at Minnamurra Rainforest. On Sunday, will do Otford –Gairies Beach return (17.8km, 5 ½ hrs actual walking) along the spectacular coastline of the Royal National Park and associated features. On Monday, we will do a short walk through the rain forest below the cliffs of Macquarie Pass before lunch at the Pig and Whistle, Robertson and home. Nights at Gerringong youth hostel. Shared ‘everyone bring something’ meals both evenings. Map: to be provided. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w) mailto:stan.marks@infrastructure.gov.au Transport: $60, Accommodation: ~$55

7–9 June: (Queen’s Birthday weekend) Blue Mountains – Upper Kowmung – L/R

We’ll drive up Friday evening to camp at Bat’s Camp on the Yerranderie road. Saturday we head for Blue Bush Point on the Kowmung via Colong caves and some very scenic ridge lines. Sunday, we walk downriver to Christys Creek and half-way up the Colboyd Range, over the spectacular Mt Arabanoo and on to Mt Great Groaner, where we drop back down to camp at Christys. The final day we climb up to the Boyd range, then follow the Uni Rover trail back to the car. Maps: Yerranderie, Bindook. Leaders: Chris H & Natalie C Transport:~$55. Limit 6–8.

7–9 June: Many Rock Ribs & beyond – M/R

Get behind Many Rock Ribs (upper Corang River); into the area between there and Bibbenluke. Part off-track; part on rough tight routes. Maps: Endrick, Corang 1:25,000 Leader: James A Transport:~$27. Limit: 8, no fires.

Tuesday 10 June: Mt Mavis – L/R

The Mavis Ridge runs NW between Rendezvous Creek and Middle and Creamy Flats Creeks. Its high point, SH1711 (aka Mt Mavis), is composed of huge granite tors and offers staggering views across to the main peaks of the Bimberi Wilderness and back to Mt Orroral. A direct in and out crossing Rendezvous Creek to check out the regrowth and to see if the approach is still just as steep and the views just as spectacular. Around 14km and 950m total climb. Strenuous walking for a fit and experienced party. Will be physically demanding, with possible delays and diversions from the intended route. Map: Rendezvous Creek 1:25000. Leader: John E Transport: ~$15. Further details at http://jevans.pcug.org.au Limit: 8.

Wednesday 11 June: Wednesday Walk

The regular mid-week walk series continues, close to Canberra with a destination to be decided. Contact the leader before 8pm Tuesday to find out destination and meeting place. Leader: Allan M

Wednesday 11 June, 7-30 pm: Navigation refresher #2 – Compass & mud map

A night dead-reckoning exercise in the hills west of Kambah (~1 1/2 hrs).Consolidates compass use and distance measurement. No prerequisites, short review before-hand. Leaders: Jenny & Rob H

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