This walk was organised and led by Terence U as a CBC walk:

(Saturday 23 June: Emu Flat – M/M Emu Flat and the grassy clearings nearby were among my favourite places in Namadgi before the 2003 fires. They are slowly recovering after being badly knocked about by the fires but their integrity is now further threatened by the proposed construction of a new fire trail between Smokers Trail and Honeysuckle Creek. Map: Corin Dam Leader: Terence U Transport: ~$10. Limit 8.).

6 of us met on a frosty morning down at the corner of Woodcock Drive and Jim Pike Avenue and drove to Smokers Trail car park.

Walk

It was a glove and beanie morning as we crunched along Smokers Trail, with small patches of snow here and there (and still there in the arvo). 1.9km along we swung off the trail along a taped set of wheel tracks. Terence had prepared our track to follow the planned new fire trail to be constructed from Smokers Trail to the Orroral Valley-Honeysuckle Creek link track.

We followed the tape for 1.7km around the W side of SH1396, the wheel tracks soon disappearing. Then S and SE to find a pleasant granite tor for morning tea (see pic 1). Medium scrub and we only lost the tapes for a couple of hundred of metres. A currawong kept us entertained. It was lovely in the sun, the sky cloudless and not a breath of breeze - a perfect winter's day.

Away again generally S following the tapes to come out on the NW corner of Emu Flat. Along its SW flank then SE to the feature just to the E of where Emu Flat is (incorrectly?) marked on the second edition map. A lovely granite terrace for lunch.

Excellent luncheon views through the stark, bare spars of Mountain Ash. To the W was the snow covered Bimberi Peak, with Dutchies Peak and Mt McKeahnie closer. Mt Orroral across the other side of Orroral Valley was clearly identifiable. To the E we could make out the granite of Booroomba Rocks and, to the NE, Blue Gum Hill. Billowing granite to the SE tricked me for a while - The Spinnaker (see pic 2).

Away at 12.50pm to the N, following a flowing Blue Gum Creek for a while. We crossed the dog-proof fence and turned W then towards the N as we climbed then contoured towards the corner of Smokers Trail. Nice views over Blue Gum Creek flats to the granite where we'd enjoyed morning tea on 9 Jan 07. Up the drainage line where we'd had lunch on 6 Mar 07 (not as warm today) and so to the fire trail and back to the cars.

A very pleasant little round, thanks Terence and all.

Distance: 11.3km  Climb: 200m.  Time: 9.00am - 2.50pm (call it 7hrs), with 1hr of stops.
Grading: M/M; M(8)

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Emu Flat