Kowmung River - Yerranderie.
Posted: Sat 08 Jan, 2011 2:05 pmAs planned I managed to get away for a few days between Christmas and New Year. We went in via the Uni Rover trail and camped the first night just after the Woolgemai Ck crossing. The trail has been recently remarked with small discs which go as far as Birdcall Lkt. Some of the side ridges are named which aids route finding but is at odds with the wilderness values of the area. I dropped off the nose of Lannigans Spur and reached the river near Billy's Point. It was running well after the recent rain and would have been excellent for pack rafting. Travel on the true left was tough so we forded which was difficult in the fast flowing water. Camped by the Church Ck junction on a large elevated grassy flat. Ventured up the creek but could not locate the cave entrance. But then it had been over 20 years since my last visit. My companions were quick to point out that was before either of them were born!
Next day we walked steeply up to Mt Armour where we picked up the Limestone Rd. which we followed through Squatting Rock Gap. Then down the River Track into Yerranderie. The place looked a picture after recent rain. Took a refreshing dip in the Tonalli River before the slog up to Byrnes Gap where we stopped for lunch in the rambling hut there. I don't remember that being there when I went through in 1979? When was it built? We left Scotts Main Range at Bulga Ridge and went west. I soon lost the track which necessitated some backtracking through scrub. At length we were on the Cone and commenced the steep descent to the river. Great views across to the Spire on the far side. Again I lost the track and we hit the river a few hundred meters downstream. From there we walked back to camp saying hello to a party setting up camp at Christy's junction on the way.
Next day we walked back down to Christy's and inspected the mining adit in the cliff above Pippens Gully. There was a camp set up on the downstream side that looked to have been abandoned? Left his tarp and a bit of other gear behind? Lunched at the Arabanoo Ck junction where there was a deep swimming hole. Spent the afternoon wading up the river to Central Christy's where we camped. Plenty of trout about. The swim in Taralga Rift was negotiated OK. Because river levels were up there was actually two swims on this section.
On the last day we walked steeply up Bradbury Spur to the main ridge which led onto Barrallier's Crown. Has anyone climbed this? Next we sidled around the base of the cliffs of Mt Barrallier past the excellent camp cave. Nearly stepped on a tiger snake on the way up to Sunshine Hill. Dropped low into timber to avoid dense scrub on the ridge here before bearing north then nor west to reach the Uni Rover trail about 100m from the car. It had taken us 5 hours to walk up and out.
It was an excellent trip which my two young companions found quite tiring. The Kowmung was carrying quite a bit of silt and does not seem to run as clear as I recall.
k.
Next day we walked steeply up to Mt Armour where we picked up the Limestone Rd. which we followed through Squatting Rock Gap. Then down the River Track into Yerranderie. The place looked a picture after recent rain. Took a refreshing dip in the Tonalli River before the slog up to Byrnes Gap where we stopped for lunch in the rambling hut there. I don't remember that being there when I went through in 1979? When was it built? We left Scotts Main Range at Bulga Ridge and went west. I soon lost the track which necessitated some backtracking through scrub. At length we were on the Cone and commenced the steep descent to the river. Great views across to the Spire on the far side. Again I lost the track and we hit the river a few hundred meters downstream. From there we walked back to camp saying hello to a party setting up camp at Christy's junction on the way.
Next day we walked back down to Christy's and inspected the mining adit in the cliff above Pippens Gully. There was a camp set up on the downstream side that looked to have been abandoned? Left his tarp and a bit of other gear behind? Lunched at the Arabanoo Ck junction where there was a deep swimming hole. Spent the afternoon wading up the river to Central Christy's where we camped. Plenty of trout about. The swim in Taralga Rift was negotiated OK. Because river levels were up there was actually two swims on this section.
On the last day we walked steeply up Bradbury Spur to the main ridge which led onto Barrallier's Crown. Has anyone climbed this? Next we sidled around the base of the cliffs of Mt Barrallier past the excellent camp cave. Nearly stepped on a tiger snake on the way up to Sunshine Hill. Dropped low into timber to avoid dense scrub on the ridge here before bearing north then nor west to reach the Uni Rover trail about 100m from the car. It had taken us 5 hours to walk up and out.
It was an excellent trip which my two young companions found quite tiring. The Kowmung was carrying quite a bit of silt and does not seem to run as clear as I recall.
k.