Fog-bound Springbank Island
Saturday 22 July: Burley Griffin Ramble Part 2 – L/E. Day 2 of a four day circuit of Lake Burley Griffin and some nearby ridges and hills. Sign up for the full walk or just come for a day or two. From Black Mountain we’ll head through ANU and then follow the lake shoreline to Acton, Kings Park, Aspen Island, Grevillea Park, Molonglo Reach, Jerrabomberra Wetlands, Bowen Park, Reconciliation Place and Lennox Gardens. Map: Canberra. Leader: Terence U. Transport: Drive yourself.
Further Information
I have always enjoyed walking under Terence’s leadership. His dress, including for walking, is sartorially excellent and inspires me to iron my walking shorts. More importantly, I read his list of ACT high hills in a November 2004 CBC magazine, which inspired me to bag them. He also introduced me to light weight gear (which is my saviour as I age), but the one gripe I have is his 6 sheets of toilet paper per day.
Summary
Distance: 21.1km | Climb: insignificant | Time: 8.35am – 2.00pm (5hrs 25mins), including 35 mins of breaks | Grading: L/E; E(7+)
Photographs
Photographs are available, where you can start a large sized slideshow.
Waypoint and Track Files
Download the .gpx file. (Right click, Save Link As…, Save – if you want to use it.)
To use in Google Earth, do File, Open… and select Gps or All files as the File Type.
Track Notes
An urban stroll on a 13ºC winter’s day – except it wasn’t like yesterday with its early sunshine. It started at -7ºC and the fog didn’t clear until 10.30am. Bets were taken on when I’d unfold my arms, as I left my down jacket in the car and it was cccold!
Always surprises. We walked down track from the start and across the back of the Botanic Gardens, then down through the CSIRO complex. Hadn’t walked through here before, such quaint architecture. Across Clunies Ross St and into the ANU. Huge piles of dirt where once Bruce Hall stood – I spent 4¾ years of misspent youth here. Down to Sullivans Creek and along the now-cleared (since 1967!) banks.
Foggy views to Lake Burley Griffin’s West Lake and West Basin. A board walk being built on the lake and a new park going in on the Commonwealth Avenue bridge approach. Padlos and Mr Spokes bike hire closed.
The Captain Cook Memorial Globe was piddling water (first time I’d seen this) and it reminded me that on this walk I’d won the battle of the bladders. A coffee and morning tea at the pop up near the carillon. More firsts – my first use of a talking toilet.
Under Kings Avenue bridge and I can now see why some object to the Kingston Foreshore development – a stark expanse of dwellings. Passsed the Boat House where I literally married my daughter. And the hospice where so much good work is done and I may very well end up.
So over the Molonglo River bridge and along Dairy Road. A visit to the Trench Trail, nice brochure.
We look a couple of the loop trails in the Jerrabomberra Wetlands and peeked at the water birds from a hide. Lunch with the roos, overlooking the old mortuary.
On through the diners and drinkers at the Kingston Foreshore. Through Bowen Park, across the Parliamentary Triangle area on the SW side of Central Basin, under Commonwealth Avenue bridge, a thoughtful stop at the Katy Bender memorial (20 years ago last week), through the Chinese Gardens and back to the cars.
A great day (once the sun broke through!) with fun companions. Thanks Terence and all.
Not having the stamina to line up for the 4 days, I’ll go to church tomorrow morning and pray for the walkers’ soles.
Track Maps
Party
4 walkers – Ming L, Phillip S, Terence U (leader), me.