We hit the ‘Big slab’ objective
Saturday 6 September 2025: Explore the 1220+m knoll south of Yankee Hat carpark * – S/R,X. There are two knolls south of the Yankee Hat carpark. The higher one has some nice granite tors and slabs on its southern flank. Walk in the fire trail up past Foresters Hut and climb to the saddle between the knolls from the east. Continue SW along the crest and down the southern flank. Return via Old Boboyan Rd. This is an eXploratory hike (no recce) and I have no idea if it is achievable. Plus I’m pretty slow off-track through the bush. Strong walkers to hold my hand very welcome. Around 6km and 220vm.
Summary
From Garmin Connect (recorded on Epix Gen 2) – Distance: 6.50km | Climb: 240vm | Time: 1:20 moving + 2:59 of stops = 4:19 | Grading: S/R,X; M(9).
Photographs
View photographs here.
gpx file
Download the gpx file here.
Track Map
Here’s where we went:
Track Knoll South of Yankee Hat carpark
Trip Report
Walking at 8.50am on a pleasant overcast day that cleared to blue sky.
Up at the Foresters Hut I took a photo only a pedant would appreciate.
Bulldozer shed site beside Foresters Hut
We ducked into the Foresters Hut.
Foresters Hut
Along the fire trail we paused at the Regeneration signage.
Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Circuit signage
At the chosen spot, we left the fire trail and headed up towards the saddle between the two knolls. Easy going, especially using my fourth navigation device – following Peter C 😁.
Easy going up to the saddle
Turning SW up the spur, after a while we reached the first cool granite with a view.
First decent granite and views
I even tried a phone call to Dick M across on his trip up Yankee Hat North!
There was enough granite about to keep us all happy.
Climbing on from the first granite
The views continued to open up.
View North to the Gudgenby Grasslands | photo Kirsty G
Views all round.
At 10.30am a sunny slab presented for smoko.
Yankee Hat North from smoko
An excellent view across to Smiling Rock, with Linda suggesting an approach from the southern side.
Smiling Rock from top of the knoll
The going had closed in a bit as we climbed the northern spur. Continued as we headed down south, now with more granite slabs and features.
Mt Gudgenby from a granite slab
Views
Our objective was a large granite slab seen on Google Earth. It might have been in view, but a little U-turn was necessary to navigate a little cliff-ette. We bashed our way there.
We hit the ‘Big slab’ objective
SH1189 from the big slab
From here we sidled SE as the slope decreased and arrived at Tankengine’s ‘brick factory.
Tankengine’s ‘brick factory’
All over bar the shouting now. We walked out onto the open drainage line and found a sun dappled area for a long lunch.
Lunchtime clouds
Whilst a couple of us lazed about, Linda went to climb on a lovely granite spire.
A nice granite spire across the creek from lunch
Nadege and Anna found what I guess were Bulbine Lilies responding to Spring warmth.
Bulbine lilies?
We returned along the Old Boboyan Road and, although I had more up my sleeve, I was happy to call it a day and get home early to earn some more walking brownie points.
A really strong and cohesive party. Thanks for holding my hand folks. Trust you enjoyed it, I certainly did.
The AllTrails map is here, where you can pan and zoom.
Party
6 walkers – Peter C and Linda G, Anna G, Kirsty G, Nadege K, me.
Postscript
My how the years dull my mind and ravage the body, I’ve just seen that Max and I walked this route as part of our trip on 21 Jun 06. Perhaps there was a bit less scrub then.
This is where we went then:
Track Hospital Hill and Boboyan Trig