Mt Jagungal jaunt.

[kanangra]

A mate and I have just returned from a few days in the Jagungal wilderness. We started out late on Friday from Mt Selwyn and walked in to Four Mile Hut for the night. On Saturday we climbed Tabletop in terrible conditions before dropping down to Happys Hut to wait out a hail storm. We trudged across Happy Jacks Plain in a thunderstorm taking refuge in Mackeys Hut. Then as dusk closed in we made a dash for O'Keefe's Hut where we stayed the night. On Sunday morning we climbed Jagungal in atrocious conditions and returned via the ridge behind the hut. By 11:30 we were ready to go again backtracking to the Doubtful Gap trail which we followed almost to Far Bald Mt. (NB although not marked on any of the toppo maps this track is quite clear on the ground, although a marked track coming up from the Tumut in the west doesn't exist on the ground.) We dropped off this track to the east and came out at the rebuilt Boobee Hut where we had a late lunch. From there it was across to the Happy Jacks Rd which we crossed and descended to the river. Once on the other side we cut across country to pick up the track into Brookes Hut where we stayed the night. On Monday morning we walked up Arsenic Ridge to Boltons Hill Trail which we followed back to the Table top Trail. From here we retraced our outward steps to the Four Mile Trail junction where I retrieved a cache left on the outward journey. Here my mate walked out to Sawyers Hut on the highway whilst I returned to the car at Selwyn Quarry.

This was a really excellent foray into the region. In the time we were out we experienced all weather conditions and encountered some beautiful scenery.

I will post a few pics when I get a chance.

K.

[DarrenM]

Sounds like a nice stroll mate. Covered some ground too! Love to see some pics.

[puredingo]

Unreal! Look forward to the photos.

[kanangra]

Here are a few from the first day.

Happy's Hut

Mackey's Hut

Grey Mare Trail

Doubtful River

K.

[DarrenM]

Very nice Kanangra. Such a great area at this time of year and no stress of dealing with flies eating you alive.

[kanangra]

I couldn't agree more. Perfect at this time of year. after the flies but before the snow!

Here are some more pics. All taken on day 2.

On the way up Jagungal

On the western shoulder of Jagungal

View from the top,

View over the Geehi side.

Our route down brought us out at the rear of O'Keefe's Hut.

K.

[neilmny]

Nice pictures kanangra

[kanangra]

Thanks. I'll post a few more on Monday.

K.

[DarrenM]

Hi Kanangra,
How scrubby was your route back down to Okeefs from the big J ?
From a skiing perspective do you think its reasonable or did it become fairly tight....there are some great craggy gullies on the northern side and it'd be nice to drop into the hut this season.

[north-north-west]

I miss Jagungal.

[kanangra]

Very scrubby. Impossible to ski down that way I'm afraid. The best skiing routes are all down off the southern side.

K.

[DarrenM]

Thanks Kanangra.
Sounds like more of a negotiable route than anything.
I've tried a few times to hit the northern gullies but conditions have never been great so missed a closer inspection.
Cheers mate.

[kanangra]

Here is a few more.

Grey Mare trail.

Doubtful Gap trail

Boobee Hut. We approached from the rear.

Boobee Hut.

Happy Jacks plain.

K.

[Travis22]

Such a beautiful area, thanks for sharing your trip and photos with us.

Travis.

[kanangra]

Here are a few more.

Happy Jacks River

Crossing Happy Jacks River.

Brooks Hut. It was quite late by the time we arrived.

View of Happy Jacks Plain from Arsenic Ridge on the way out on the last day.

Boltons Hill Trail where we met it on Arsenic Ridge.

K.

[puredingo]

Magic!

[kanangra]

Last ones.

Junction of Boltons Hill trail and Tabletop Trail.

Mt Tabletop from the track.

Tabletop trail.

Junction with Four Mile Trail. Jagungal on the skyline.

Sawyers Hut on the Snowy Mts Hwy. Journeys end.

Gee I'm missing it already. I can't wait till I get out there again. In the next month or so I hope to make an announcement that maybe of interest to all members of this site who love the high country.

K.

[DarrenM]

Looking forward to the announcement mate, and loved the pics.

[Pika]

Great report.

Beautiful pics.

Thanks for sharing.