12 June 2010 Corin Dam to Mt Gingera

Map: Corin Dam 1:25000

Getting There

This walk was organised and led by Peter J and Quentin M as a CBC overnight walk:

Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 June: Overnight Corin Dam to Mt Gingera – M/M. The challenging walk up Stockyard Spur (about 700m ascent) from Corin Dam is beautiful with a number of scenic lookouts. Upon reaching Mt Franklin road we turn south to Pryors Hut for lunch. The hut, named after Lindsay Pryor is close to the ACT/NSW border and was built in 1952 as a shelter during work on the Alpine Botanical Gardens. We will have an opportunity to look at the adjacent arboretum of pine species and some stone border markers. We then continue south to Mt Gingera for great views overlooking the Coolamine area in NSW. To allow us to explore this beautiful country, there will be some side trips – the extent of which will be determined by weather and daylight. While the walk is challenging the pace is set to allow you to take in the scenery and make the most of your camera. With luck we might see some snow, so remember to bring warm gear. Map: Corin Dam 1:25,000. Leader: Led by Peter J and co-led by Quentin M. Bookings to Quentin. Transport: $10–$15 per person. Limit: 12.

7 of us met at my place at 9am. Stan and I were just going up for the day, whilst Alan, Mark, Peter, Quentin and Stephen were going to brave it overnight. We drove in 2 cars to Corin Dam.

Further Information

Q has been kind enough to allow me to come up for the day - anyone with a similar desire could contact him, as I'll be driving out, back down before sunset.

Photographs

Access all primary pics here. All thumbnails in the walk report are active - click for a larger picture.

Walk

Track overview Corin Dam to Mt Gingera Track a Corin Dam to Mt Gingera Track b Corin Dam to Mt Gingera

A slow trip up the footpad from Corin Dam to the marker cairns on Stockyard Spur, as the other 5 boys had overnight bags. I trust they were full of warm gear, as we hit patches of snow around half way up. With plenty of pauses to draw breath and enjoy good conversation, the 2.2km and 550m climb took 1hr30mins (with a day pack, this leg takes a little less than 1hr). An absolutely beautiful day - blue sky, no breeze, a bit of snow about. We enjoyed a 20min morning tea. Back at it, going up the Stockyard Spur old vehicle track, Stan and I left the others at around the dip between SH1532 and SH1615 - this was the last we were to see of them for the day, except for their footprints in the snow (they were going to head for Pryors Hut but, on our return through there later in the day, they were not about. As real walkers (grin), they probably decided to camp in the snow somewhere. Q said subsequently that they camped just behind the arboretum next to Pryors Hut.). We kicked on at a bit quicker pace, stopping briefly to admire the view from the N of the track to Mt Ginini and just a bit further on, from Graham Barrow's 'Stockyard Spur Grandstand', the view E and SE to Mt McKeahnie.

1 View to Mt McKeahnie from Graham Barrow's 'Stockyard Spur Grandstand'

We stopped at the old brumby yard, then down to the marker pole at the intersection with the Mt Franklin Road. Turning S we tromped along through a cover of snow on the road to Pryors Hut.

Mt Franklin Road N of Pryors Hut

We'd seen footprints in the snow ahead of us and there was a bit of gear in the hut. In all during the day we ran into two other parties of 2 staying up there (as well as our 5 mates) and another party of 3 enjoying a day trip like us. Great to see people out and about enjoying it. Not much time to dally at Pryors, as it was 1.20pm and I thought it would be nice to at least make Mt Gingera. Just past the arboretum we had a quick gander at the 21 Mile marker and border marker Q57. Then quickly on up the Mt Franklin Road and up the walking track to Mt Gingera. The real one first (Mouat trig), then to the guyed pole at border marker X57 for the S view. Lovely views all round. 10 mins for lunch and we left at 2.15pm.

2 Mt McKeahnie and the tenacious Snow Gum on Mt Gingera The frozen pool and the Bogongs on the horizon from Mt Gingera Guyed pole at Mt Gingera (NATMAP) View down to Snowy Flats from Mt Gingera 3 Snow Gum on Mt Gingera

An uneventful wander back down the footpad (not the usual return via the ridge top to the NW and down to Pryors), along the Mt Frankin Road, down Stockyard Spur to the marker cairns (a quick break here) and so down to Corin Dam. 2hrs 25mins for the 9.9km return. Coming down the footpad to Corin Dam, we were treated to wonderful vocal calling from a nearby lyrebird - I've never before heard such mimicry. Back down at 4.40pm (sunset at 4.57pm and evening civil twilight 5.26pm for today).

All this obviously did not put Stan off, as his CBC membership application was signed morning and evening, to be submitted.

Thanks Alan V, Mark B, Peter J, Quentin M and Stephen V for your company up the hill. Special thanks to Stan M for wandering around with me.

Distance: 20.1km Climb: 1100m. Time: 10.10am - 4.40pm (6.5hrs), with 30mins of breaks.
Grading: L/E; M(11)

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Corin Dam to Mt Gingera

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This page last updated 19Aug22