This walk was organised and led by Max S as an adhoc FBI Tuesday walk:

(Folks Propose to walk to peak between Tinderry and Twin Tinderry from Burra Rd – partly along fire trails. Haven’t plotted course as yet but expect average length of 8-12 km with climb about 800 m mostly off track. Expect Hard but maybe not Weather is supposed to be showers, 16-26 deg C. I am hoping showers will be less likely in Tinderry’s Map – Tinderry and Michelago Start 7.30 from Kambah. Cost $11 Confirmation of interest to Max appreciated. Note – If less than 4 walkers this will not be a FBI sanctioned walk.).

2 of us drove via Michelago and the Burra Road to the 'carpark' just opposite the Mt Allen property and just a few metres past where the Mt Allen fire trail heads off. A very dirty car.

Walk

Thoughts of a quick coffee and then home as we drove out through Tuggeranong and along the Cooma Road in significant rain. But we're not wimps, just stupid, so we continued.

Dressed in singlets (Max has a very hi-tech new one from his son) and various ineffective rain gear, we set off in the showers up the Mt Allen fire trail after being greeted by the little dog from the property across the road. At the intersection after 0.8km we turned right into Jacobs Ladder fire trail and headed along it for a further 3.1km (1hr 10mins for this 3.9km).

Into the open forest for some downs and ups for 1.4km and 35mins to intersect the West Tinderry Fire Trail.

Continuing generally E-ish, down and across Michelago Creek running well, then 550m up a spur through cloud and mist and showers. The ridge paralleled the Michelago Creek until it swung to the N, then another of its feeder creeks. It got pretty slow towards the top, as the rain made the granite and timber very slippery. Testing, but not taxing walking. Most of our gear passed the wet test, but my Goretex coat has obviously given up the ghost. It was a mild day, which made the internal dampness reasonably bearable. We decided to call it a day a bit short of our objective, at GR05094833 (MGA94). A 2.8km leg in 2hrs, climbing 550m.

Some interesting sightings during the day. Max spotted the very large wild pig near the top of the spur which we judiciously circled. Later in the day I drew his attention to the snake he'd stepped over and Max was the first to spot the goat near TTP. No nanny goat this, but a billy goat gruff, with a good 1 metre between the widespread tips of his horns.

We turned down to the NE, ostensibly looking for a dry(er) spot for lunch. I think the rain became heavier. So a standing lunch for 5 minutes - a bit cool when we stopped.

Near SH1475 we enjoyed imaginary views down into the top of Tinderry Creek (see pics 1 and 2) and one of us stopped to empty his boots (see pic 3). Then NW across and very near the top of Tinderry Twin Peak, followed by a slippery slide down to the first saddle to its north. These legs, since just short of our objective, 2km in 1hr 50mins, including lunch and boot emptying.

1.1km and 35mins had us at the West TInderry Fire Trail. A unanimous decision to take it and the Mt Allen Fire Trail back to the car. 4.9km in 1hr.

A change of clothes and a cuppa were very welcome.

Great country. The best view today was through temporarily lifting clouds up to the Tinderrys on the drive home! Thanks Max.

Distance: 16.2km  Climb: 1200m.  Time: 8.20am - 3.35pm (7.25hrs), with 20mins of stops.
Grading: L/R; H(13)

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Tinderrys