Early snow on Mt Gingera from Tidbinbilla Peak

Saturday 28 March 2026: Northern Section of the Mindjagari Track Network * – L/M. Enjoy the views from the crest of the Tidbinbilla Range. Use the Camelback FT to climb to the crest, turn south to scale Johns Peak, then to Tidbinbilla Peak and down the Banguu Track. Around 13km and 750vm climb.

Summary

From Garmin Connect (recorded on Garmin 66i handheld) – Distance: 19.3km | Climb: 1055vm | Time: 5:08 moving + 2:23 of stops = 7:31 | Grading: L/M; H(13).

Photographs

View photographs here.

gpx file

Download the gpx file here.

Track Map

Here’s where we went:

Track North Mindjagari Track

Trip Report

I was last in this area on 24 Mar 26.

Friday was cold and very windy, unseasonably so for the end of March. We soon found the consequences, with the gate to Mountain Creek Car park closed and a tree down across the road 30m further on. So we drove to Greens picnic area and started from there, meaning a long entry and exit via Spur 2 and Spur 1 fire trails. Further wind damage during the day.

Tree down at top of Spur 2 FT after Friday’s wind

It was a cool and windless day, in marked contrast to yesterday. From the Camelback/Spur 2 FT junction, we were back on track and walked up to the Johns Peak turn off for smoko. The usual stunning views from along the crest.

Camels Hump from the northern Mindjagari Track

Soon Johns Peak loomed up ahead.

Johns Peak up ahead

I don’t often have taken and publish photos of myself – track views are better. But with an upcoming reason, I ask Stephen to take a few snaps to make me look like a tough bushwalker.

JohnnyBoy climbing Johns Peak | photo Stephen M

Somewhere during this leg I found and logged geocache GCBFH4B Maths on Mindjagari. I’d missed it last Tuesday. The final GZ is not at the map marked location.

From Tidbinbilla Peak we were greeted by snowy views to the Brindabella Range.

Snow on Bimberi Peak and Mt Gingera, and Tidbinbilla Mountain from Tidbinbilla Peak

A zoom showed it off nicely.

Early snow on Mt Gingera from Tidbinbilla Peak

We chatted with a couple of guys who’d visited the Pimple.

The Pimple from Tidbinbilla Peak

Down at the ‘Decision Time’ sign we had lunch. We left at 1.35pm, knowing we’d have a fairstep back down the Spur 1 FT.

Note to self – last Tuesday’s descent of the Banguu Track took 1:22. Today’s took 0:58 for the ~2km track, although we did continue directly down the spur to come out N of the Camelback FT intersection, rather than the final wiggle which comes out below the Spur 1 intersection.

A long trudge down Spur 1 back to Greens.

Tidbinbilla River from the bridge

Thanks for holding my hand folks. Trust you enjoyed the fabulous views on an excellent weather day – and the FT bashes.

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

Party

5 walkers – Cynthia B, Nadege K, Stephen M, Chris R, me.