The top of the spur which runs from Camels Hump down to the Cotter River

Sunday 16 March 2025: Camels Hump, Johns Peak and Tidbinbilla Peak * – L/M. Walk up the Camelback Fire Trail in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to Camels Hump for absolutely staggering views along the Tidbinbilla Range and down into the wild Cotter River valley. Walk the crest of the ridge south and up through Johns Peak and Tidbinbilla Peak. See if we can spy any of the new work on the ‘Skyline Track’ to be opened in October. Exit via the route running SE from Tidbinbilla Peak. Some mild scrambling with a little exposure to gain Camels Hump and Johns Peak. An early start on a forecast hot day. A slow pace, especially uphill. Around 14km and 900vm.

Summary

From Garmin Connect (recorded on Epix Gen 2) – Distance: 13.80km | Climb: 895vm | Time: 3:44 moving + 2:37 of stops = 6:21 | Grading: L/M; M(11).

Photographs

View photographs here.

gpx file

Download the gpx file here.

Track Map

Here’s where we went.

Track Camels Hump, Johns Peak, Tidbinbilla Peak

Trip Report

I was last up here around Camels Hump on 16 Nov 24 and last did this trip on 11 Feb 23.

The purpose of today’s trip was to see how long it takes me to get to Camels Hump in preparation for a possible Easter walk, and to check out any signs of work on the Skyline Track.

It’s always nice when the early Ranger opens the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve gates a few minutes before official opening time. We were up at Mountain Creek carpark and walking by 7.40am.

We passed the point where we’d pop out this afternoon.

The SE exit from near Tidbinbilla Peak meets the Camelback Fire Trail

The leg up to Camels Hump for me was 6.4km in 2:08, so I should be able to do the Easter trip. Maybe a few more blue track marker arrows about.

Those always fabulous views on the way up.

Johns Peak, Tidbinbilla Peak, Tidbinbilla Mountain and the Pimple from the climb to Camels Hump

We had a little look around to the west of the top, and smoko.

Camels Hump to Johns Peak was 2.2km in 1:05 for me. The breeze had started to blow up, but a lot of this leg is on the lee side of the crest. Great views back north. The track marker arrows are purple on the climb to Johns Peak and the strengthening wind blew us onto the hill, not off it.

Looking back along the Tidbinbilla Range to Camels Hump from the climb to Johns Peak

My companions kept a good eye on me, not letting me walk last in line. I’m sure they noticed how bad my balance is becoming.

The leg from Johns Peak to Tidbinbilla Peak was 1.1km in 0:45 for me. Of course the lovely area of Wax Flowers was not in bloom; always worth a visit in Spring to appreciate them. Lunch (in an ant free spot) and I called home.

The Pimple from lunch at Tidbinbilla Peak

It’s around 250m south of Tidbinbilla Peak to the area of cairns that marks the Skyline Track heading SW along the crest to Tidbinbilla Mountain. Here we saw the first signs of the track workers.

Emergency safety supplies for track builders at track junction 250m south of Tidbinbilla Peak

Read and heed!!

Read and heed

I’m always pleased to leave this point, as it’s all downhill to the carpark.

The track leaves the cairn(s) south of Tidbinbilla Peak

On this leg we saw signs of track work, with a few branches cut back from the track.

Signs of track work on the SE exit from near Tidbinbilla Peak

If this is the way the entire Skyline Track and exits are to be done, it’s very good. It will still be a Grade 5 route requiring good navigation skills, but retain its natural character.

Seems clearer and easier to follow

Tapes still about

Down near the Camelback Fire Trail, this SE exit route seems more direct than the previous line of tapes and cairns that I’ve followed. We popped out where we expected.

Signage at the junction of the SE exit and the Camelback Fire Trail

This leg 1.9km in 1:07 for me.

1.7km in 0:28 down the Camelback Fire Trail to the car.

Thanks very much friends for holding my hand.

The AllTrails map is here, where you can pan and zoom.

Party

4 walkers – Monika B, Michael C, Jaime P, me.