The Bog Hut site | Max and Berts Hut

Tuesday 3 November: Max and Bert’s Hut via The Bog – L/M-R, part X. From the Hospital Hill Lookout on the Boboyan Road walk north to north-east and down to Dry Creek, cross the creek, turn to the east and climb over the Booth Range to the scant remains of The Bog Hut. The climb is steep in places and a small amount of scree has to be crossed. From The Bog, Max and Berts Hut is about 3 km to the east with a climb over a spur of the Booth Range of 170 m. The section of the walk between The Bog and Max and Berts is exploratory. Return by a more southerly route, probably by-passing The Bog. About 1,300 m of climbing, distance about 17 km. Mainly open bush but some patches of thick scrub. Maps: Colinton and Michelago. Leader: Philip G. Transport: $52 per car. Limit: 8.

4 of us drove in 1 vehicle to the Hospital Hill lookout on the Boboyan Rd.

Further Information

Bog Hut site
Max and Bert Hut (aka The Banks Hut).

Summary

Distance: 16.7km | Climb: 1170m | Time: 7.35am-4.35pm (9hrs), including 60 mins of breaks | Grading: L/R; H(14)

Photographs

Photographs are available, where you can start a large sized slideshow.

Waypoint and Track Files

Download the .gpx file. (Right click, Save Link As…, Save – if you want to use it.)
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Track Notes

The area to the East of the Boboyan Rd provides great walking. The 2003 fires did not reach this part of Namadgi National Park. It is generally woodland with minor shrub cover and areas of fallen timber. However, there is no water apart from Dry Creek (within 30mins of the start/finish) and a rough tank at Max and Berts Hut. The climbs and descents are severe.

We left the start point at the Hospital Hill lookout, crossed the Boboyan Rd and headed north-east, then east, to cross Dry Creek. From here we first contoured north-east above the creek, then climbed 260m to gain the crest of the Booth Range. A taxing climb. We crossed a large open area at the top of the drainage line down to the Bog Hut site. The site itself is on the side of the open creek or ‘bog’. Just a few sheets of corrugated iron and posts. Remnant fencing.

We headed east across another tussocked drainage line to morning tea, where I was able to find and log geocache GC1XJB5 BOG Hut.

The next leg provided pleasant walking. A more gentle 170m climb to top the 1400m feature, passing a lovely open area at the top of the drainage line that runs back down to morning tea.

From the 1400m crest we had a 440m descent to Max and Berts Hut. A steep descent over 1.9km. Came across a battery pack from a weather balloon in the bush

A 40min lunch stop at the hut and the chance to cross the dry creek line to find and log geocache GC1ZY7N Max and Bert. Had a little horizontal and suffered severe adductor cramps when I got up – when will I learn.

A seemingly easier exit leg from Max and Berts via a more southerly spur. The first 100m of climb was through quite open going. Great views back, over the Clear Range to The Tinderrys. After reaching the 1400m contour, it was a less steep descent to the north of SH1361 and down to cross the drainage line which leads down to Max and Berts. An 80m climb to crest the Booth Range.

A 350m descent to cross Dry Creek. The going was a little easier, or was it because we were heading downhill? A refreshing drink of cool water.

A 130m climb was all that remained to get us back to the car.

We were very fortunate with the weather, most of the day being overcast and the temperature around 15-18ºC. The walk would be a killer on a hot day.

A great walk, thanks Philip. I felt every day of my 67 years less 4 days, and have no idea how Eric continues to thrive on these walks.

Timings
From To Distance Time
Start Cross Dry Creek  1.3km 30mins
Cross Dry Creek Booth Range morning crossing  2.3km 1hr 10mins
Booth Range morning crossing The Bog Hut site and geocache 1.6km 40mins
The Bog Hut site and geocache The Banks (Max and Berts Hut) and cache  3.4km 1hr 45mins
The Banks (Max and Berts Hut) and cache Booth Range afternoon crossing  5.2km 2hrs 40mins
Booth Range afternoon crossing Cross Dry Creek 2.1km 50mins
Cross Dry Creek Finish 0.7km  25mins
Track Maps

Track overview

Track 1

Track 2

Profile

Party

4 walkers – Eric G, Philip G (leader), Ian W, me.

Next Tuesday Walk

Tuesday 10 November: Bullen Range Nature Reserve – M/M-R. A circuit around the Bullen Range Nature Reserve. Starting from the Tidbinbilla Tracking Station cross the Bullen Range to the Murrumbidgee and follow it south to Pine Island. Back up and over the Bullen Range to the tracking station. My aim is to locate two geocaches GC4KRPR and GC62XD4. Mainly on track and through woodland but there will also be some thick scrub and steep ridges to negotiate. About 500 metres of ascent. Maps: Canberra and Cotter Dam 1:25,000. Leader: Roger E.  Transport: ∼$5 or $6 per person. Limit 8.