This walk was organised and led by me as a private Tuesday walk:
(SE Rim of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - L/M-R, partX; H(13). From the Tidbinbilla Reserve Visitors Centre, wander up Mt Eliza, to Gibraltar Peak, along the ridge through SH1097 to Devils Gap and across to the Pyramid. S to Stantons Gap, then E to the Corin Dam Road. We'll then take old forestry trails NE to Mushroom Rock, then back over into TNR and down via the Grass Trees. 16.7km and 950m total climb. Map: Tidbinbilla 1:25000.).
I've heard of some excuses in my short time of walking, but try this one: 'Love to come - but tomorrow's the day they release the new Grange Hermitage and I have to be on the doorstep of Dan Murphy's at 9am! You clearly have not got your priorities right!! Cheers and have a good one!' - sender's name omitted to protect the guilty.
3 of us gathered, drove to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, through the gate (thanks to a fantastic last minute positive response from Reserve Rangers) and parked at the visitors centre.
Walk
| Route Card | Ground |
| Info Centre - Mt Eliza: 148°M 1.1km 200m up | Walking by 7.45am. Cool till we got going, blue sky with a few tufts of clouds. A prickly and shrubby regrowth climb, with a little granite to pick through towards the top of Mt Eliza, arriving 8.25am. Reasonable views down to TNR and across and up to Gibraltar Peak and along the ridge where we were to go |
| Mt Eliza - Gibraltar Peak: 170°M to saddle, then 142°M to GP 1.3km 100m down + 150m up | Plenty of bracken coming down, then more open as we climbed to GP. Up the usual staircase to the fabulous viewing slab (see pic 1). Great views all round, including to the Tidbinbilla skyline. The telephoto lens picked up a shrouded Telstra Tower (see pic 2). At Gibraltar Peak 9.10-9.20am |
| Gibraltar Peak - SH1097: Follow track SW for 0.5km, then ~204°M along ridge for 0.7km | Pretty easy walking along the ridge, with footpad and old fence to follow in places. Morning tea 9.50-10.05am at SH1097 |
| SH1097 - Devils Gap: 219°M, then 195°M along ridge for 1.2km to cross DG fire trail | Drifted a little S of the ridge and used a fire trail for a while, then back in the bush to go down to the fire trail. Crossed Devils Gap fire trail at 10.30am |
| Devils Gap - The Pyramid: 208°M for 0.5km up 175m to top | A short, sharp gasp to the top stopped the lads talking. 10.55-11.00am at The Pyramid |
| The Pyramid - Stantons Gap: 178°M for 300m, down | Some nice granite scrambling coming down S off the top |
| Stantons Gap - Corin Dam Road: 74°M for 0.6km, down | Reached Corin Dam Road at 11.30am |
| Corin Dam Road - Mushroom Rock: Follow old fire trails for 4.7km | Off the blacktop as soon as we could and a slog along the fire trails, cutting a couple of corners. We headed NE. A bulldozer working at upgrading the trails in the area. Lunch 12.30-1.00pm at Mushroom Rock, my first visit here (see pic 3). Someone has kindly placed a couch under the feature! |
| Mushroom Rock - Tidbinbilla Road: Follow tracks for 4.3km | Another slog steeply up from Mushroom Rock towards Gibraltar Peak, on freshly graded fire trail. A unique experience to walk through some muddy pools after last weekend's rain. Over the top of the ridge to where we were a few hours previously, then NW down the hard Gibraltar Peak trail. 1.55pm at the Grass Trees with huge views again to the Tidbinbilla skyline. Down to the road |
| Tidbinbilla Road - Info Centre: Follow road for 1.6km | Back at 2.45pm and called in to say thank you for early access and enjoy an ice-cream (yes, really, no beer for sale) |
Thanks Dick and Steve. A nice little wander.
Distance: 15.9km Climb: 900m. Time: 7.45am - 2.45pm (7hrs), with 1hr of stops.
Grading: L/M-R,X; H(12)
