23 October 2012 Jerrabattgulla Creek

Walking the N feeder creek

Maps: Jerangle and Krawarree 1:25000

Getting There

This walk was organised and led by Ian W as an irregular CBC Tuesday walk:

Tuesday 23 October - Jerrabattgulla Creek - M/R,X. The walk is in in a Preserved Forest area in the Tallaganda State Forest, 20 km west of Jerangle. We will visit Jerrabattgulla Creek and a tributary. The walk is exploratory but the leader recalls a quick visit 40 years ago and the creek filled with giant tree ferns. Start at approx Jerangle 253 318 and follow an old fire trail before heading down to Jerrabattgulla Creek. Walk 2 km down the creek to a tributary at Krawaree 283 301, which we then follow north for 1.5 km to approx Krawarree 281 317, before heading back to the cars. If the creeks are too difficult to follow, we will vary the route. Maps: Jerangle, Krawarree Leader: Ian W. Limit: 8 Transport: Approx. 200 km return.

7 of us met and drove in 2 cars via Michelago, then Burra Rd for a bit, Tinderry Rd over the Tinderrys, right onto the Jerangle Captains Flat Rd, left onto Anembo Rd, left onto Bald Peak Rd to the start point at UTM 55H 725328-6031821 (MGA94). About 190km return.

Walk - Track Notes

Even with 2 morning teas, lunch (well, I guess that's necessary), and afternoon tea, the future of Tuesday Walks is assured with walks such as this and recent walks. It's wonderful to have different leaders, with different preferences and knowledge of different areas. Today was huge - thanks Ian for 40 year old memories of doing ANU's Inward Bound in this area.

We parked off the side of Bald Peak Rd at the start point. 900m along a timber track, then into the light-medium bush for around 1.5km down to Jerrabattgulla Creek. A lazy black snake was stepped over by a couple of us.

Plenty of water in the creek as we turned right to head downstream. Easy walking, crossing and recrossing the creek a time or two, till morning tea #1.

Setting off after our break, soon a pleasant surprise in the form of cascades at UTM 55H 727563-6030791 (MGA94). Tree ferns began to appear, as Ian promised. Huge trees fallen across the creek amused Linda and Eric, as again we crossed from side to side.

Larger cascades/waterfall further downstream where the contours narrowed. The top's at about UTM 55H 727941-6030158 (MGA94). It took a mite longer to get around this one, on the left bank.

We reached the side creek where we were to turn N at 11.20am. The going had been easier and the party quicker than Ian had expected, so morning tea #2 was called after a photo op amongst the tree ferns. Ever the considerate leader, Ian extracted leeches using side-cutter pliers!

From this point N to lunch was quite delightful. This feeder creek was also running strongly and its gully was less severe, so we were able to wander along very close to the water and in amongst the tree ferns. Ian and Jenny splashed up it in places, the less exuberant of us kept our footwear dry.

Lunch was taken on a dry bank high above the creek.

We continued on up the creek, still surprised by the amount of water in it. More crossing logs for the intrepid. Ian took us a bit further up the creek than originally planned, then we turned W-ish to arc across the top of the drainage system. Some open flats.

Afternoon tea down in the main arm of Jerrabattgulla Creek, then 2km back to the cars through easy walking dryer forest. Most pleasant.

Thanks Ian for your 40 year memories. A terrific walk. And great company from Jane D, Peter C and Linda G, Eric G and Jenny H.

Distance: 11.4km Climb: 350m. Time: 8.55am - 2.55pm (6hrs), with 1hr 5mins of breaks.
Grading: M/R; M(11)