This walk was organised and led by Peter W as a private walk:

Wed 26 Nov – MUNDOONEN NR – medium about 16 km – 12 km as the raven flies. Leader: Peter W. We start at the saddle on the Hume Highway and walk all off track SE through the nature reserve to the Yass River for lunch. Mainly undulating open forest. Return a similar way. Map: Gunning. Cars: 120 km. Meet at back of North Lynham shops at 8:30.

6 of us met and drove via the Barton and Hume Highways to Gunning Gap below Mt Mundoonen, where an exit (forgot to record the name of the road on the sign) takes one onto the parallel Old Hume Highway. We drove a few hundred metres down the road and parked opposite an animal underpass.

Walk

The sides of the Hume Highway are fenced off in this area, to prevent animals following the green belt across the highway. Animal underpasses are provided (one needs to be trim to get through the poled entrance). Once on the S side of the highway, we headed SE to Margales Trig at 792m (see pic 1). Then generally S and SW to cross under three sets of high voltage powerlines, with easy rambling through (unburnt) open and dry sclerophyll forest. With his fantastic knowledge of things in the bush, our leader paused every now and then to point out various plants, flowers, lichens and other interesting things. We spotted a pair of juvenile foxes and smelt the odour of their lair and part-consumed carcasses. E-ish up the powerline service track for a while, then S along the edge of the NR to find morning tea.

Wandering further S, we may have strayed outside the NR, but there were many fencelines. One, in particular, took our fancy, with a tree leaning heavily against the fencing wires having completely grown around them! A living fence post with natural holes (see pic 2)! Amazing.

Continuing S, we again attempted unsuccessfully to avoid cleared grazing land, but once we realised our error we crossed back into the NR. Rewarded for our good behaviour by seeing a Shingle-back lizard (Trachydosurus rugosus) (see pic on Facebook). Arrived at the Yass River for lunch (see pic 3).

As per the walk description, we began the return leg by retracing our inward leg for a while. But nearing the powerlines, we curved more to the W. Each powerline tower sported two nests, no doubt providing a wonderful view for the inhabiting crows. Met a young NSW Parks and Wildlife Ranger driving along (the signposted) Old Gap Road, as we headed towards a stand of Argyle Apple known to the walk leader (see pic on Facebook).

From here a quite pleasant gully, with the occasional pool of water and a multitude of mosses, took us up to the fence on the Hume Highway. Paralleling it for a while we took a different animal underpass to get us onto the Old Hume Highway and back to the cars.

A most agreeable ramble. Thanks Peter, a great walk in a new area for me and, as always, very instructive. Enjoyed the company of Barrie, Cynthia, Madeleine and Steve.

Distance: 16.8km  Climb: 700m.  Time: 9.20am - 3.4pm (call it 6.3hrs), with 35mins of stops.
Grading: L/E-M; M(11)

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Mundoonen Nature Reserve