Lunch views over the source of the Yadboro River, Wirritin Basin to Pigeon House


Wombat collage for Wombat Woman

Budawang National Park, Currockbilly Mountain – M/M,ptX. We will follow the track up to Currockbilly and then head north through the heath that was (hopefully) burnt out in the 2013 fires before tuning west back down to a fire trail and thence back to the cars. Map: Brooman. Leader: Ian H. Transport: $88 per car. Limit: 8.

8 of us drove in 2 SUVs via the Kings Highway to Braidwood, then Mongarlowe Rd and Charleys Forest Rd to park near an entrance to the Budawang National Park. Around 1hr 30mins drive.

Summary

Distance: 9.1km | Climb: 560m | Time: 8.50am-3.00pm (6hrs 10mins), including 65 mins of breaks | Grading: M/R; M(11+)

Track Map

Track

Profile

Photographs

Photographs are available, where you can start a large sized slide show.

Waypoint and Track Files

Download the .gpx file here. (Right click, Save Link As…, Save – if you want to use it.)
Download the .kml file here.

Track Notes

Dedicated new CBC member Paul M got up at 2.45am to drive down from Sydney for this walk. With a good weather forecast and yet another new area for me, I was looking forward to this one. Not let down.

It’s been a while since Ian H has been here and he was interested to see what the fire from a year or so ago had done to the fearsome scrub.

We began via a funny access footpad which took us up to the boundary of the Budawang National Park, then down to cross Webbs Fire Trail. We then followed a track to around 840m contour, up over a knoll and down to morning tea.

From here the direction was UP. 40mins saw us cover 770m across the ground and climb 280 vertical metres. Not many photos, except at a brief respite, as it was hard work.

We reached the crest at 10.40am and headed south on a footpad through thick regrowth to Currockbilly trig. Lovely rain forest beside a small cliff. Views west over Braidwood from the trig.

We retraced our steps to where we joined the crest and pushed through more thick regrowth, following a sometimes footpad.

In one open patch we came across a log book and 25mins was spent leafing through its pages. One of the first entries, from 1971, recorded the visit of Trevor L. Much reminiscing over names from party members who have been walking a long time.

We continued north along the crest of the ridge for another 35mins, covering 750m. Alternating thick scrub and open patches. Huge views to the east, to Pigeon House and the sea.

Stopped for lunch at 12.10pm. Below to the east and close at hand was the source of the Yadboro River, then the rugged bowl of the Werritin Basin and so across the Budawang NP to Pigeon House. We could see The Castle to the north. A great spot in the sun and on the lee side out of the biting wind.

After lunch we continued north through SH1119 for 250m in 15mins. A rocky spine and exposed to the wind on the west side of the crest. Great views up the Budawang Range, but the next down elevator spur was probably an hour and a half away, so Ian decided we’d leave the crest.

Initially a steep and slow descent, but after dropping 250 vertical metres the going cleared and the slope eased. The first 750m across the ground took 45mins and the last 2km the same time.

Down on Webbs Fire Trail we spotted a wombat ambling along. It looked in great nick and was not too perturbed by our presence.

A wander back along the fire trail and through the access to the cars.

A wonderful destination with huge views, thanks Ian. Great company.

Party

8 walkers – Philip and Jan G, Ian H (leader), Jenny H, Trevor L, Paul M, Max S, me.

Next Tuesday Walk

Tuesday 7 July: Gudgenby Valley Wander – M/M. Using old and new knowledge, we’ll visit hut ruins, interesting stone arrangements, the Yankee Hat art site, some lovely hillocks and beautiful stream features.  Might see a water rat too, plus an eagle’s nest from last season. About 13km, mostly off-track in grassland with some timber. Maps: Yaouk, Rendezvous Creek. Leader: Matthew Higgins. Bookings: John Evans 0417 436 877 john@johnevans.id.au . Transport: ∼$10.