14 December 2010 Burrinjuck Canoe Trip – Devils Pass

Map: Yass 1:50000

Getting There

This walk was organised and led by Mike Bremers as an irregular CBC Tuesday walk:

Tuesday 14 December - Burrinjuck Canoe Trip – Devils Pass.Paddle from Woolgarlo to Devils Pass in the Yass River arm of Burrinjuck Dam.  The dam needs to be close to full, as it is now, for Devils Pass to be accessible by water.  About 12 km of paddling - suitable for beginners. BYO canoe or hire in Canberra. Map:  Yass 1:50 000 Leader: Mike Bremers. Transport: $88 per car including Woolgarlo entry fee.

My paddling seat arrived in the front drive and I was whisked in comfort, via Yass where we met Mark, to the launch spot. Very civilised, thanks Mike.

Further Information

This trip is dependent on Mike's availability and the weather conditions on the day.

Photographs

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Walk

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Track Paddle to Devils Pass

The dam was indeed full, rated at 102% I understand. Drove to the Woolgarlo Leisure Resort (!!) site, launched and were away. Mike has a spare double and a spare single and had given me the choice. I wimpishly selected the double, which came with him in the engine room. A quiet day on the water, as I can't paddle, steer and talk at the same time. As promised to the Walks Sec, I wore my life jacket all day (as did Mike and Mark), except I judged it ok to disrobe when I was on dry land well away from the water's edge.

We paddled generally NE, up into the Yass River arm of Lake Burrinjuck. Wedge-tailed eagles soared above us all day. Morning tea, at last, at the foot of Pine Ridge, then onwards through the grand 'gates' of Devils Pass. We were able to paddle a few hundred metres further up the Yass River until the way was barred by a low rocky cascade. Turning about, we paddled back through Devils Pass, landed, booted and wandered a couple of hundred metres up to get a view of the river.

Back down, de-booted and bootied, we headed back down and to the W side of the Lake to land for lunch. The day was partially cloudy, which kept the worst of the sun off us, so another zizz was required after munchies. Perhaps there is something to stopping for lunch.

My engine room buddy called for an extension further to the SW, just as my arms were falling off. We paddled through a group of trees growing in the middle of the lake, then turned NW towards the homes and shacks now enjoying a water's edge view - quite different from the Google Earth satellite imagery.

We came ashore for the last time (well, this year).

A coffee at the Rollonin cafe, a nice place just off the highway at Bowning. A sleep on the way home.

My annual paddle in yet another area new to me. Many thanks for all the organising Mike, and your company Mark.

Distance: 14.8km paddling + 0.4km walk. Time: 9.20am - 1.25pm (call it 4hrs), with 1hr 40mins of stops and walking.
Grading: E for Mike and Mark; M for me.

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Devils Pass on Lake Burrinjuck

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This page last updated 23Aug22