View from morning tea - Johns Peak, SH1491, Tidbinbilla Peak, Tidbinbilla Mountain, The Pimple, with descent spur at front

Map: Tidbinbilla 1:25000

Walk Description

This walk was organised and led by Trevor L as an NPAACT walk:

Saturday 16 March: Tidbinbilla Range from the West - 2 C/D/E. Knife-edge ridges, bold bluffs and scree-scarred slopes on Western fall of the Tidbinbilla Range. We'll set out from the Bendora Dam Road follow a prominent spur to the summit of Camel Hump, then follow the main Tidbinbilla Range to Johns Peak, and a short distance beyond to reach a spur which descends into Burkes Creek. We'll finish by following the creek down to meet the Bendora pipeline and Bendora Dam Road. Off-track walking with some regrowth to push through. Around 800-m climb and descent. Meet at the car park on the North side of Cooleman Court, near McDonalds 8:00am. Drive 120-km, $48/car Map:- Tidbinbilla 1:25,000 Grading:- 2 C/D/E Leader:- Trevor.

2 of us drove from Canberra via the Cotter, Brindabella Rd, Piccadilly Circus, Bulls Head and down the Bendora Rd. We parked at the intersection with Burkes Creek Rd. A bit over 1hr drive at this time of the day (a bit slower coming back in the dark - kangas).

Further Information

For Saturday 16 March, sun times are: Civil sunrise 6.38am, Sunrise 7.03am, Sunset 7.21pm, Civil sunset 7.46pm.

So, meet at 8am, 60km drive say 1hr 15mins, 15min shakeout, start walking 9.30am. Gives a 10hr day.

Photographs

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Track Maps

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Track overview

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Track Notes

Walking at 9.15am down the newly graded Burkes Creek Road and past that magnificent face up in the cliff. A run across the concrete ford of the Cotter River - with gaiters on, dry feet. Up high above the pipeline, down to cross at the second ford, the concrete of the third ford was above the river level and dry. Trevor picked up water - he was so happy to have un-chlorinated liquid that he sang!

A little further on up to the shoulder of the bottom of the spur, we turned off to head up towards SH768. Trevor, fresh back from walking in Tasmania, set a cracking pace and I was soon hoping for a break, but no joy. Light scrub in the initial stages of the climb, with predominantly dry ground and chest high shrubs. Immediate huge views up to The Pimple and the striated cliffs to its west. There was no rest from the continual climbing and the scrub began to close in, quite heavy around the SH1085 knoll. It took us 1 hour from leaving the road to cover the 2.1km to SH1085, climbing 400m. The climb and tight going continued to take its toll, a further 700m and 130m climb in 30mins from SH1085 before Trevor would let me have morning tea. Absolutely huge views to the S, including to the (unknown to me) descent ridge. However, what was more disconcerting was the view to Camels Hump round the side of SH1269, the Hump still being 240m above us.

Refreshed, we pressed on up. A hard climb through tight going, around rocky knolls and patches on the ridge. It took 1hr 15mins to climb those 240m over 1.6km to finally reach the large cairn marking Camels Hump at 1.50pm. We settled a few metres away in the breeze and with a view after Trevor shooed a large snake away.

It is a fabulous view from Camels Hump on a good day such as we had. Well worth the usual plod up the Camel Back Fire Trail; even worth it the way we came.

I had my SPOT Connect with me and sent off an OK check-in. You get 45 characters for your field-composed message which is sent from a bluetooth connected smart phone to the SPOT device, then out via satellite. As I have included myself (email and SMS) in the check-in recipients, I got the SMS and email as the mobile reception is good on Camels Hump! This is what it provides:

True to his word, Trevor set us going after a 20min lunch (although I did get some leg cramps climbing to Johns Peak). We still had a way to go. The usual way down from Camels Hump (met 2 walkers), down the fire trail a bit, in along the old overgrown track to the burnt out radio transmitter tower, then along the ridge. A bit of a footpad is developing. The scramble up to Johns Peak, then through the scrub to SH1491. 1hr 15mins for this 2.6km and 200m climb.

I was looking forward to this new territory. We were well past the point of no return, Trevor had 'enjoyed' this spur previously (but prior to 2003!) and ensured me it was quite doable and, although we'd finish late, it was only 2.30pm.

This is indeed a spectacular razor spur with magnificent views. Also steep descents through thick scrub and, in places, a rocky spine. From SH1491 to SH1209 we covered 1.2km in 1hr 15, that's a bit less than 1km/hr. Huge views left (across the south arm of Burkes Creek to The Pimple and nearby cliffs), right (our ascent spur and Camels Hump) and up behind (to Johns Peak).

After dropping to the 1000m contour (200m down, 860m along in 37mins), the going at last started to ease. Views back over our left shoulder to The Pimple and cliffs with waterfalls of scree. Scattered grass trees growing.

We reached the junction of the arms of Burkes Creek at 5pm and had 5mins of arvo tea.

From there, a rock-hop down the stony creek bed which, in places has flowing water and in other places is dry. Pleased to reach the third ford over the Cotter River at 5.50pm. Trevor had a swim and I sent another SPOT - a little handier here as there is no mobile reception.

A 2.4km plod back to the car.

With my new found conservative driving (2 wallabies hit last year), I was very grateful to be puttering along the Cotter Rd just short of the Mt Stromlo turn off, so able to pull up in time when a monster buck kangaroo popped onto the road in front of us.

This was a 'bucket list' walk for me, having come down today's ascent spur, but ogled the descent spur, on 27 Oct 07. Many thanks Trevor.

Summary

Distance: 16.8km Climb: 1200m. Time: 9.15am - 6.30pm (9hrs 15 mins), with 50mins of breaks.

Grading: L/R,W; VH(15)

Walk Participants

2 walkers - Trevor L, me.