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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Read and heed!!
I’m always pleased to leave this point, as it’s all downhill to the carpark.
On this leg we saw signs of track work, with a few branches cut back from the track.
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.
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.
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.
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