This walk was organised and led by me as a private walk.

Walk

Another little stroll to check out the route for the Worn Boot Bash on 30 August. Most grateful to David H for lift out to Uriarra Crossing, company and GlenLoch Interchange/Black Mountain hints.

Walk 1

We drove in 2 cars out along the Uriarra Road, leaving one around 1.5km past the Coppins Crossing Rd, where the ridge from Mt Stromlo comes down to the Uriarra Rd - not that this was really the planned point nor could we see too well at 6.20am. Drove in the second car to just in the turnoff to Uriarra Crossing East.

Crossed Uriarra Rd, over the stile, through the gate and down the right side of the fence line. Right turn at the bottom and followed best line for quickest movement along the tops above the Molonglo River. A large eagle soared nearby. Plenty of kangas. Fence lines and creeks to cross and an occasional nice view to the Molonglo River gorges. Eventually spied the recovering pine forest area and the fire trail we needed. Headed up it to a junction and gate. Went bush across a creek line filled with blackberries (may be better to follow the half right fire trail) and eventually to the gate out onto the Uriarra Rd (this is where I should have parked).

Across Uriarra Rd and in via the Equestrian entrance to Stromlo Forest Park. Followed our noses up the fire trail, a wiggle towards the top, onto the knoll and to the Duffields' grave. Headed towards the Stromlo Trig but down in the dip took off over the side towards the 'intersection' seen on last recce. Reaching this point, I headed right (went left last time) and it was again follow your nose down to the main entrance drive, out to Uriarra Rd and plod back to the car.

From here we retrieved the other car from the start and, with plenty of time up our sleeves, took it home to Weston Creek and drove to the new car park on the side of Caswell Drive at GlenLoch Interchange.

Walk 2

With David's biking knowledge of the area, we headed first towards Belconnen on the bike path and through the horse tunnel to the Cork Oak Plantation. We wandered up the side of it, then up the back to a knoll from which we could see Dairy Farmers Hill and the machinery at the arboretum site (no work today - Bank holiday?). Back down the other side of the Plantation, over the stile into it and a pleasant walk through the Plantation to the other side. Retraced our steps to near the car.

From here we followed the bike path towards Civic till we came to a concrete apron on our left which took us through a gate, beside a newly planted walking track, to turn right into a totem-ed path/fire trail. We followed it, taking the indicated left turn. Then spying the bottom of a foodpad up the ridge, we turned right off the fire trail. This pad took up to the Black Mountain 'hat band' ring of Stan walk fame. Turned right, across the bridge and across the Black Mountain road. From the car park another footpad takes you up to the base of the tower.

From here we wandered up the road, through the lookout and down steps onto a concreted bush path which we followed until David was able to assure me that this was the way down to the side of the Botanic Gardens. We retraced a few tens of metres and gained the hat band track again which took us anticlockwise around the W side of Black Mountain and back to the ridge pad. Down to the bottom, this time right onto the fire trail (rather than retracing left) and a B-line bush bash down a little gully to the gate and concrete apron. Back to the car.

Excellent that I could refresh my knowledge of this area for the day and for David to show me the Botanic Gardens and bike path tracks.

Distance: 24.9km  Climb: 750m.  Time: 6.30-10.30am, then 11.05am-1.00pm. Call it 4hrs, then 2hrs = 6hrs with no stops
Grading: L/E,X; H(12)

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: WBB Recce 2 Lower Molonglo and Black Mountain