View down the Tidbinbilla Valley from between Tid 036 and Lunch

Map: Corin Dam 1:25000

Walk Description

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

Tuesday 27 August: Granite Outcrops, Top of Kangaroo Creek - M/R,ptX. Starting at the Smokers Gap carpark, we will spend the day on a meandering route on the ridge to the north of Smokers Gap at the head of Kangaroo Creek. The oft visited Billy Billy Rocks are close by, but we will not go there on this trip as there are numerous other granite outcrops and knolls to investigate hidden in the Mountain Gum forests. This is a hard walk; mostly off-track in thick scrub with rocky slabs to negotiate in places. Minimum Distance: 13 km with approx. 500 metres of ascent. Map: Corin Dam Leader: Ian W. Limit: 8. Transport: Approx. 80 km return.

7 of us drove from Canberra and parked at the Smokers Gap/Square Rock car park.

Photographs

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Track Map

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Track

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Track Notes

Ian (the granite hunter) W continues to amuse and exercise us by stringing together granite features into fabulous walks. Today was no exception and the walk could be sub-titled gruelling granite and rigorous regrowth. A lovely pre-Spring day weather-wise as well.

A slightly different approach to Bogong Cave and the E-W ridge that contains it. On previous trips to this destination (and on to Billy Billy Rocks) on 26 Feb 11, 12 Jan 08, 10 Mar 07 and 21 May 05 we went directly NW to it; on other occasions on 30 Jan 10 and 4 Nov 08, N-ish to the E end of the ridge. Today we headed a little more E of N to the saddle at GR 55H 673606 (MGA94), then turned W to climb onto the ridge and to the cave. Relatively light vegetation through open forest. We arrived at Bogong Cave at 9.40am, 3km in 1hr 35mins.

A quick poke about the cave. We climbed up on top, some of us through the back of the cave, others from the outside. Some nice slabs and views. Morning tea.

Away to a close-by granite monolith, Ian's waypoint Tid 083. Then generally W through Tid 029. Some close Alpine Ash sapling growth through here.

Next, NW to Tid 028, a huge complex of granite. We found an excellent slot passage that took us all the way through the feature.

NW from here, via a W then N route, we found ourselves in another tor and slab complex about 1km W of Billy Billy Rocks. Another slot passage for us to explore through. The location was just over the crest of the ridge, with views across to Fishing Gap and Mt Domain.

Heading W-ish, nice views opened up down the length of the Tidbinbilla Valley. Lunch was called around 12.10pm, having covered 6km in around 4hrs - but that included lots of exploring.

S of lunch the feature Tid 026 presented the party with quite a challenge to get down through the passages and leads. Was it here (or elsewhere?) that eyes were closed and breaths held as one member took a leap across a significant gap?

Some slow going between Tid 026 and Tid 050. Another huge block of granite at Tid 025.

Some severe going near Tid 051. Ghostly grey Alpine Ash skeletons reach to the sky and underneath is carpeted with over head-high shrub regrowth. It was quite exhausting for our heroic leader pushing the way through it, but those of us from about #4 and back in the party found the going quite easy (grin). 30mins to do 400m.

S to Tid 024 followed by a turn to the SW to get us down to the NE end of High Range. From here we tracked down the damper S-facing slope to cross Kangaroo Creek and reach the Corin Road. Nice views across to Square Rock.

A final bash up Corin Rd to the cars.

Nice one, Ian.

Summary

Distance: 13.3km Climb: 550m. Time: 8.05am - 5.10pm (9hrs 5 mins), with 1hr of breaks.

Grading: M/R; H(12)

Walk Participants

7 walkers - Chris F, Eric G, Linda G, Ian H, Stewart J, Ian W (leader), me.