This walk was organised and led by Mike B as an irregular CBC Tuesday walk:

Tuesday 2 September:  Mt Coree.  The official word is that the Corin Dam Rd will be closed for sometime (certainly till after 2 Sep) so the walk on Tuesday will be to Mt Coree. Transport: ~ $12. Leader: Mike B.

7 of us met from across Canberra at the Cotter Camping Ground and drove via Brindabella Road and Curries Road to the S corner of the burnt out Blundells Flat picnic area.

Civil twilight: 0556 - 1810

Walk

We alighted from the cars and wandered down Curries Road to cross Condor Creek. A nice sunny day, a little cool in the breeze, but with definite hints of Spring. A left turn following Curries Road and up over 300m to the intersection with Two Sticks Road. Obviously time for morning tea number 1, a little back from the crest out of the wind.

After sustenance, a right turn onto Two Sticks Road under the rocky SW nose of Mt Coree (Philip G has gone up the tree line to the summit from here). N along this fire trail, then right into Pabral Road. After a little less than a kilometre, right again to zig and zag up the Coree Summit Road.

An absolute fabulous view from the summit ridge, which sports communication tower, fire tower and trig point. We enjoyed morning tea number 2 (and I had a short nap) at the summit and also took in the 360° views. I was, of course, immediately drawn to the SE to the Tidbinbilla Ridge (see pic 1). The Tidbinbilla Tracking Station dishes were visible. Sweeping to the S, snow could still be seen on Bimberi Peak and Mt Gingera. In the distance to the SW were the Bogong Peaks then, closer at hand, the power line strung out over Webbs Ridge to the W. High Cone was prominent to the NW. To the NE, along the line of the NSW-ACT border, was Mt Blundell at the end of Blue Ridge, where we were last Tuesday.

After some discussion, it was agreed that we'd head back down, then clockwise along Pabral Road to where those who wished could visit the real Coree Falls. I was glad, as I'd missed them last Tuesday and another member of the party had never been in the area. Coming off the top a group of 3 trail bike riders came up, again passing us as we further descended Coree Summit Road. They were friendly and decked out in the best - leathers matching their bikes which were all blue and black. It caused us to review our various fashion coordinates, one member doing well in various shades of blue with contrasting green accoutrements. Discussion as to whether future walks should have a colour theme; but that would lead to more expenditure at the Salvos. We were all picking up various bits of rubbish - bottles, cans, even a P plate and discarded motor oil bottles.

At the appropriate point we set out for Coree Falls. A quaternary of leaders, with me taking first shift. Now, with a little change in inward route to Mt Coree, this walk was a repeat of Max and my first ever walk together on 19 Feb 05, which led to the instigation of Tuesday Walks. And it just goes to show that in three and a half years, I've learned very little. I took today's party, as I did in Feb 05 and last Tuesday, directly to the upper Coree Falls (see pic 2). However, as in Feb 05, Max took over and we crossed Coree Creek and headed downstream. Very slow and steep, but we did finally arrive at the Corre Falls (see pic 3). Barrie led some of the way and was confident that we were in the right area (although he mentioned a third pool further downstream which will cause us to return). A spectacular site, the pic not really doing it justice - a huge block of stone at the right top.

Again, as in Feb 05, I was soon a sweating, bleeding, puffing mess as we exited from the falls but, having learned just a little, I asked Max to take over as he had gardening gloves to deal with the native raspberries. To add insult to injury, an ant bit my finger. Philip graciously took the lead as we crested the climb out and gained more level ground - a further lesson here.

Back on Pabral Road, we found Mike on the NSW-ACT border and enjoyed lunch. It seems that this walk was a little exercise for grander things - Philip leading a 3-day pack walk, Mike and Ian separately heading to the Bibbulmun Track in WA and Karen following the Black-Allen Line for three and a half weeks.

A quick and easy tromp back to the cars.

Timings
 

An excellent walk. Hard to grade - from the sublime to the ridiculous. Thanks Mike B and Karen C, Philip G, Barrie R, Ian S and Max S.

Distance: 18.3km  Climb: 900m.  Time: 8.25am - 2.50pm (call it 6.5hrs), with 65mins of stops.
Grading: L/E-R; H(13)

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Mt Coree and Coree Falls