13 November 2012 Monga Granite exploratory

McCarthys Creek

Map: Monga 1:25000

Getting There

This walk was organised and led by Linda G as an irregular CBC Tuesday walk:

Tuesday 13 November - Monga Granite exploratory - M/R,X. Approx 1hour 20 minute drive from Queanbeyan. Park at junction of Granite Bluff Forest Road and Stoney Creek Road (E 60500 N58800) and walk south towards the gentler slopes that start at the small saddle at around E 60260, N 60220, and that run for about 2.5 km south to E 60300 N 56000. I suspect there is some interesting granite around here. Then, if time permits, east to McCarthys Creek to look for stands of spring-flowering plumwood. This walk is completely exploratory. Some superb forest is guaranteed; thick scrub is likely. If the scrub is too thick there are several nearby firetrails to escape to. Map: Monga 1:25,000

Further Information

9 of us met in Queenbeyan at 8am and drove via the Kings Highway to Braidwood, then on the Captains Flat Rd, Araluen Rd, Reidsdale Rd, (all sealed road to here) Monga Lane and Granite Bluff Forest Rd (marked 4WD, but very navigable in 2WD in the dry) to the intersection with Stoney Creek Rd. Stoney Creek Rd is blocked a few metres in from the intersection, so there is parking for 4 or 5 cars. The trip from Queanbeyan took a bit less than 1.5 hrs.

Walk - Track Notes

We set off up the Granite Bluff Forest Rd for 300m, then headed S. Up to the ridge, then along up some knolls and down through drainage lines through dry forest. Came across the first of two abandoned plant propogation sites. Joined an old snig track for a while - the area had been logged and there were some very large old stumps. Morning tea along the way. A couple of drainage lines that we traversed towards the southern extent of the walk gave us an indication of the damper areas to come. (Telstra) mobile reception as we turned east.

Joined an old logging track, pretty overgrown, which took us down a spur to a drainage line into McCarthys Creek. Beautiful temperate forest - straight trees, tree ferns (and lawyer vine and leeches). Difficult to follow the track at times.

Came out onto the Stoney Creek Rd at 12.45pm. A while since a vehicle has travelled this road. Crossed a collapsed log bridge and had lunch.

After lunch and 1km north along Stoney Creek Rd we came to a snig track junction. This took us down a broad spur (then petered out) to McCarthys Creek.

A wonderful time wandering along its tree fern lined banks for around 1.5km.

Afternoon tea (good grief!) was called. We then wandered back up the hill to rejoin Stoney Creek Rd and walked back to the cars.

Thanks to Linda G for sussing out and leading this walk, and company from Peter C, Janet E, Eric G, Eric P, Barrie R, Stephen S and Ian W.

Distance: 11.0km Climb: 300m. Time: 9.30am - 3.45pm (6hrs 15mins), with 1hr 5mins of breaks.
Grading: M/R,X; M(10)