6 September 2011 Pedens and Townsend Huts

Map: Tantangara 1:25000

Getting There

This walk was organised and led by Max S as a private Tuesday walk:

Tuesday 6 September - Mt Tantangara. The proposed walk for this Tuesday is to Tantangara Mtn. Park car at the Alpine Ck FT off the Snowy mountains Hwy. Walk up a convenient ridge to Tantangara Mt and other nearby viewing points. If time and energy permit, continue on to Tantangara Hut. Return possibly more directly to Alpine Ck FT and return to cars. All exploratory for me – generally bush with some open grassland possible. There may be snow – I intend to bring snow shoes and assess if needed – probably not required based on recent weather but the weather does deteriorate by Tuesday. We will climb to about 1745 m. Please note walkers looking for a tough gig you will be disappointed – Not having done much activity for past 3 weeks I expect to be the limiting factor – slow and within comfort zone (mine) is the order of the day.About 12 km and 500 m climb. Mostly off track Maps - Denison and Tantangara Leave Kambah shops 6.30 am. or later at Lanyon shops – intend going via Boboyan Rd. Car cost about $100 per car but no more than $30 each. Could you please let me know if interested plus mobile number in case of late changes This will be an FBI walk only if 4 or more care to join otherwise private.

3 of us met at Kambah at 6.30am. I heard the forecast for Cooma and Jindabyne as I drove over - rain and windy. So I was ready to go home. Max either didn't hear me or, like the dedicated walker he is, chose to ignore me and pressed on towards the objective. He whisked us in comfort via the Boboyan Road and Adaminaby along the Snowy Mountains Highway to the Alpine Creek Fire Trail intersection. It was bleak and raining, suggesting a wet trip up the Alpine Ridge to see nothing. So Plan B unfolded.

Photographs

You can access all photographs here.

Walk

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Track

We backtracked to the Tantangara Road and Max drove us the 18km in to the winter locked gate, just after the Tantangara Dam. Backing up a little, we parked. Around 7°C and wet, so we rugged up and put on shells and waterproof trousers. Ever one for shorts, I had no waterproof duds - Eric reckons the last bit of me to go when I die will be my tough knees.

Down the road to near the bridge, along Circuits Trail for a bit, then on to the Pedens Hut fire trail. Pleasantly soft and muddy as we trudged along in the waves of rain which blew over. A brisk run over the Gulf Plain Creek ford got us in practise for later, then on to Pedens Hut for morning tea. An iconic hut (seems to be a little out of position on the 2nd edn Tantangara 1:25000 topo map - at least according to my GPS).

Back to cross the Gulf Plain Creek ford again, then bent away on the Townsend's Hut Trail. Our fearless leader showed us the way across the froggy (knee-deep) Murrumbidgee River ford, then on to Townsend Hut. A very well done reconstruction.

From there, Plan C had us following a faint old vehicle track/footpad W up a gentle spur through open forest. Enjoying the bush, we continued up towards SH1451, then on to join Pockets Saddle Road.

Wandered down this, crossed over the bridge and back to the car.

The rain really set in as we arrived. In fact, the wettest part of the walk was changing out of sodden boots and socks, removing rain gear and changing for Max's vehicle. A dog/dingo on the way out.

Stopped at Adaminaby for a coffee to have with our lunch. I finally caught up with Steve Brayshaw in his shop.

An excellent Plan B. Thanks Max S and Eric G.

Distance: 18.4km Climb: 550m. Time: 9:05am - 1.35pm (4hrs 30mins), with 15mins of stops.
Grading: L/E-M; M(11)

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Pedens and Townsend Huts

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This page last updated 28Aug22