This walk was organised and led by Mike B and me as a co-hosted CBC/NPA walk:
(Saturday 3 May - Bendora Dam - Mt Domain crossover - L/R,X (NPA Grade 2/A/D/E/F). A joint CBC/NPA walk. From Bendora Dam up a spur through SH1117, SH1266 and SH1239 to top the Tidbinbilla skyline at 1460m. 500m S to Mt Domain (1506m), then via the usual spur down to Fishing Gap and so to Fishing Gap car park. Around 12km and 900m total climb. Demanding walking for a fit and experienced party. Route not fully known to leader. Possible delays and diversions from the intended route. Map: Tidbinbilla. Limit of 8. Leaders: John E – jevans@pcug.org.au, (h) 6288 7235 and Mike B. Transport: ~$15. Further details at http://jevans.pcug.org.au.)
9 of us gathered. One party of 5 drove to Bendora Dam, the other party of 4 drove to Fishing Gap car park. Drivers exchanged spare car keys before we left, in case we didn't meet!
Suggested by Mike B. Need 2 cars. 7.30am access being arranged through TNR gates. We stretched 8 to 10 to squeeze into 2 cars. Bookings are closed.
Civil twilight: 0616-1745.
Route Card
| Route Card - Bendora Dam - Mt Domain Crossover | ||||||
| Leg | Description | Distance (km) | Expected Going/Comment | Est time (hr:min) | Actual time (hr:min) | Actual Distance/Going/Comment |
| 1 | Bendora Dam picnic area to Bendora Dam bridge | 0.8 | Track | 0:15 (est) | 0:15 | 1.0km. Track |
| 2 | Bendora Dam bridge to SH1266 | 2.0 | 570m climb up spur; medium scrub? | 2:00 (est) | 2:10 | 2.2km. Relatively open W-facing slopes; regrowth on SH1117 and on SE-facing slopes and saddles |
| Morning tea | 0:15 | |||||
| 3 | SH1266 to Tidbinbilla Ridge | 3.0 | 300m climb up spur; medium scrub? | 3:00 (est) | 2:45 | 3.0km. Steep, regrowth, rocky in places |
| Lunch | 0:30 | 0:25 | ||||
| 4 | Tidbinbilla Ridge to Mt Domain | 0.6 | 50m climb up open ridge | 0:15 (est) | 0:20 | 0.5km. Open ridge with little lumps of regrowth |
| 5 | Mt Domain to Fishing Gap | 2.1 | 500m down, regrowth | 1:30 (est) | 1:45 | 2.3km. Regrowth! |
| 6 | Fishing Gap to Fishing Gap car park | 3.3 | Track | 1:00 (est) | 0:50 | 3.5km |
|
Totals |
11.8 |
8:45 |
8:30 |
12.4km |
||
Walk
We got away late from the meet point, as one starter was late (ggrrrr) and another starter was not a starter (GGRRRR). I suppose I am a bit paranoid about time, but with my relative inexperience and on eXploratory walks, I'd rather finish early than late, or have time up my sleeve to cater for severe conditions. A quick drive (me driving my car) in just over an hour to Bendora Dam, spotting a lyrebird crossing the Mt Franklin Road and a gi-normous wild dog on the Bendora Dam Road.
Walking at 8.15am and from now on I suggest people join me after the start of the walk. For the second time on recent walks I messed up the start, this time providing a little detour up towards the dam wall rather than the track to the bridge. Dam! Used the little steel ladder up to some bit of gear and away we went up the ridge. (1.0km in 15mins).
Relatively open and easy walking on the W-facing slope till around the top of SH1117, where the regrowth closed in a little. Time for morning tea. (1.2km in 1hr). But we could see the mound of SH1266 and most of the way ahead up the spur to the Tidbinbilla skyline and Mt Domain.
The bush was a bit tight and damp coming down off SH1117 and in the saddle, but it opened up a bit climbing to SH1266. The NE side of the spur was rocky in places and great views began to open up down into Cow Flats Creek and back behind to Bendora Dam.(0.9km in 50mins).
SH1266 to SH1239 was 1.5km in 1hr15mins, not much quicker than 1km/hr. It provided some magnificent views down into Cow Flats Creek (see pic 1), our way ahead (see pic 2) and across to Tidbinbilla Mountain (see pic 3). To the S we could see down to Mt McKeahnie and the shores of Corin Dam. I remember rocky and regrowth.
From SH1239 we continued to climb through regrowth, rocky knolls and the occasional open patch. We met the other party coming down. They encouraged us with talk of open, grassy patches and lunch, so we pressed on. The spur did open up a little as it broadened to meet the Tidbinbilla skyline where, as soon as we crested, we plopped down for lunch. (1.5km in 1hr30mins).
Sweeping views from lunch, down into TNR to the E, N along the Tidbinbilla skyline, W down to the Cotter River and up to the Brindabellas (Ginini Falls was prominent) and S to Mt Domain. Worth all the effort expended!
From lunch we wandered along the ridge and up to Mt Domain (0.5km in 20mins).
We immediately hit the regrowth. My route coming off Mt Domain was a little wonky and we had to contour E across its S to get back on track. Maybe I didn't find the best possible route, but under these conditions this leader thought it more practical to keep party members in sight of each other and cohesive. A plunge off Mt Domain, a few tens of metres open at the NW end of the SH1402 area, then more regrowth and a few open leads along to the start of the final drop to Fishing Gap. Not a bad route down, if I do say so myself. Fishing Gap was a welcome sight! (2.3km in 1hr45mins, a little slower than estimated, but we were starting to get weary).
A tootle down the fire trail (3.5km in 50mins). Young Z still had enough energy to scamper up a couple of rises, as she'd done at the beginning.
We went to find the Ranger who kindly assists us with TNR early entry and late leaving (haven't had to call on the latter yet) to say thank you and got a radio message to her.
A slow and careful drive back to town in Mike's car. The other party arrived back safely too.
A magnificent day on a spur with excellent views. Thanks Chris, Lois, Max and Zabeta in my party and Gemma, Karen and Trevor in Mike's party.
Distance: 12.4km Climb: 900m. Time: 8.15am - 4.35pm (call it 8.25hrs) with 50mins of stops.
Grading: L/R,X; H(13)
KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Bendora Dam - Fishing Gap Crossover
