31 May 2011 Mt Nungar and Circuitts and Schofields Huts

Map: Tantangara 1:25000

Getting There

This walk was organised and led by Max S as an FBI ad-hoc walk:

Tuesday 31 May - Mt Nungar - M. Folks The plan for the next Tuesday’s walk is to drive to Tantangara Rd of the Snowy Mtns Hwy, stop somewhere convenient, preferably walk along a ridge line to the peak. Return by convenient path to Circuits Trail, visiting Scofield Hut and possibly Circuits Hut on the way back. Snow is possible down to 1500 m at the moment and may be more by next week. Hence it is possible there will be walking through snow, assuming not too deep. The walk is exploratory for me but was written up in the Dec 2010 NPA Bulletin - the return is an extension. The walk will depend on weather nearer to the time being favourable – final decision Sunday. Expression of interest appreciated including telephone contact. Medium grade – 15 km with 500 m climb. Map Tantangara Meet at Kambah shops 6.30 am - Cheers Max S

6 of us drove in 2 cars through Cooma, Adaminaby and N up Tantangara Rd. Turning right onto Schofields Trail, we drove as far as we could to the locked gate and parking so other vehicles could pass us.

Photographs

You can also access all photographs here - which are my map segments and, thanks to Janet E, some nice snaps of the day.

Walk

Track maps: thumbnails are active - click for a larger picture
Track overview	Track 1	Track 2

Schofields Track is quite drivable, turning E off Tantangara Rd. We drove in nearly 2km to the locked gate, then backed off so we could park on the side of the road and allow other vehicles to pass.

Cold and showery as we set off in coats, beanies and gloves. Mike bravely showed the bare flesh of his knees in shorts. We wandered along the track and crossed Nungar Creek at the ford - the best technique seemed to be to run fast through the shallow water. We then did a left turn, noting the trig (?) on the right above the ford and passing the old wooden pyramidal base on our way. A very pleasant 250m climb up to SH1569 on the Nungar Ridge.

Again, beautiful walking through the snow gums and snow grass along the ridge. Pity about the showers. We stopped at the 1660+m knoll for morning tea, tucking ourselves out of the breeze on the NW side.

At it again, after a while Max executed a stylish dog leg to the left and we walked another ridge towards Mt Nungar. Only the last 600m and 100 vertical m to the 1710m trig on Mt Nungar was through a little closer vegetation. Alas, there was no view and a biting breeze. However, we all agreed that a return trip was required.

We retreated back down to the Nungar Ridge, turned left and strolled N-ish until our mighty leader held finger to the wind (or else compass to his map) and decreed that we needed to turn down a gentle spur towards Circuitts Hut. He was spot on and we dropped gracefully onto Circuitts Trail and a couple of hundred metres E of it, through stands of black sallee and old orchards of fruit trees, to Circuitts Hut (Graham said to make sure to spell it correctly with 'tt' - there was, in fact, a log book entry from a Circuitt grandson of the builder).

A long lunch, so I suffered with my cold and toothache in silence, at this rather idyllic spot.

Home was via Circuitts Trail and a short distance onto Schofields Trail to arrive at Schofields Hut. The corrugated iron building looks quite new, but Graham said that the metal lasts well in the cold and it was built yonks ago.

We strolled back to the cars, with nice views left to the Nungar Plain.

An excellent walk thanks Max, even if you couldn't control the weather. Spot on navigation! Great company from Mike B, Janet E, Graham S and Ken W.

Distance: 21.6km Climb: 700m. Time: 9.00am - 4.15pm (7hrs 15mins), with 55mins of stops.
Grading: L/M; H(13)

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Mt Nungar and Circuitts and Schofields Huts

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This page last updated 26Aug22