Nice view down to the Murrumbidgee River

Wednesday 9 February 2022: Wednesday Walk E-M – Angle Crossing to Tharwa – M/M. Starting from a locked gate north of Angle Crossing we head northward along the Gigerline Nature Reserve. Our route is covered in light to medium scrub and is quite undulating. We will have lunch at the Tharwa Sandwash picnic area. From the Sandwash onward the walk is almost all on track. The exception is the Gudgenby River, our last water crossing of the day, and the only one guaranteed to get your boots wet. Wednesday sees the return of warm weather, so some may choose to turn this into a brief swim. After crossing the Gudgenby we very quickly come to the De Salis Cemetery, From the Cemetery it’s only a short walk on a very well-appointed path to the big smoke, Tharwa, and our cars.

Summary

Distance: 11.2km | Climb: 287m | Time: Starting 8.45am 4hrs 5mins moving time, plus 1hr 5mins of breaks | Grading: M/M; M(8).

Photographs

Photographs are available here.

gpx File

Download the gpx file recorded via AllTrails here (in AllTrails, activate …, Download Route, Select a file format, OK).

Track Notes

AllTrails trip report.

We met under the Tharwa Bridge and 3 cars drove  to the designated start on Angle Crossing Road. The day began overcast and we soon had our first view down to the Murrumbidgee River. The high route was chosen as closer to the river is packed with blackberries.

First view of the Murrumbidgee River

A number of side gullies needed to be negotiated, some undulating and easy.

High above the river to avoid blackberries

Others, like Reedy Creek, a little steeper and blackberried.

Reedy Creek

The first part of the walk was a little shrubby.

A bit shrubby in places in the first half of the walk

There were great views down to the Murrumbidgee River.

Nice view down to the Murrumbidgee River

Familiar landmarks appeared as the route opened up closer to our destination. Castle Hill ahead.

Castle Hill in the distance

Gigerline Hill with its trig across the river to the east.

Gigerline Hill across the other side of the river

And Mt Tennent to the west.

Mt Tennent over Smiths Road

Lunch at the Tharwa Sand Wash.

Stone steps to the Murrumbidgee River swimming hole at Tharwa Sand Wash

The last challenge was to cross the Gudgenby River, followed by Spring Station Creek. The river was flowing quite strongly, but only above knee height (depending on the walker’s height!).

Confluence of Gudgenby and Murrumbidgee Rivers

Up the weedy river bank we visited the De Salis Cemetery.

De Salis Cemetery with Mt Tennent at back

A pleasant stroll back along the Tharwa Explorer Track to the cars where our leader, Mark P, kindly returned some drivers to pick up their cars from Angle Crossing. A little off-track and Tharwa back street driving, as the southern approach to the bridge and the nearby parking area was being resurfaced.

Track Map

The best track map is available via AllTrails, where you can pan and zoom. But here it is (recorded on my GPSr) laid out on TopoView 2006 maps via OziExplorer.

Track overview Angle Crossing to Tharwa

Track 1

Track 2

Track 3

Party

Leader Mark P. 11 walkers.