For the ultimate wilderness experience, in pristine alpine country,
with spectacular views, untouched (till now) by geocaches, you have
three choices, other than parachuting in.
All end up at the top of the ACT, but from vastly different
starting points, two in the ACT, one in NSW.
Route no. 1 - Drive to locked gate at S 35° 37.740', E 148°
57.055'. Then follow the trail, past a hut near S 35° 39.2', E 148°
49.7', then continue to a "gap" at S 35° 40.938', E 148° 47.792',
then along the ridge to the top ACT.
Rivers along way - camping permit, with conditions, required for
this route. (Namadgi National Park)
Distance - 53km return.
Route no. 2 - Drive to locked gate at S 35°31.598', E 148°
46.755'. Then follow the trail, past a hut at S 35°33.745', E 148°
46.698'. Continue past a U-turn/creek crossing at S 35° 34.307', E
148° 47.010'.
Many more km on, the Leura gap trail comes in from the right, then
very soon, you cross Mc'Keahnie creek near S 35° 38.3', E 148°
47.6', then about 1 more km to S 35° 38.338', E 148° 48.700' and on
your right, there will be an 90% overgrown old 4WD track on your
right going SW up the hill . (a small cairn of stones should still
be there on your right marking the spot). Onward SW up a spur of
sorts - cross country here, keeping the gorge on your right, keep
going to de ridge to loop around to the top ACT. (Once leave the
main trail, about 5km of moderate uphill).
Rivers have water - camping permit, with conditions, required for
this route. (Namadgi National Park)
Distance - 46km return.
Route no. 3 - Drive to locked gate at S 35° 41.409', E 148°
43.924'. Then follow the trail, past a hut at S 35° 40.659', E 148°
45.306', a creek crossing soon after, continue to the "gap" at S
35° 40.938', E 148° 47.792', then N along the ridge to the top
ACT.
Distance - 22km return.
All routes offer a tour of the Namadgi / Bimberi / Kosciuszko
wilderness, different alpine huts, many creeks (some with bridges,
some without - be prepared, the raging torrents though have
bridges).
Also, free on offer are spectacular alpine views of the ACT, NSW
and Canberra.
The higher areas of this vast wilderness are high VERY exposed
alpine areas. (as exposed, windy & cold as Kosciuszko). Be
prepared for extreme conditions and take necessary precautions all
year. All trails (except the final ridge section), are good to
reasonable 4WD / walking fire trails, the final ridge section has a
small easily visible walking trail.
Route 3 will be closed 15km before the gate, June long weekend
to Oct. long weekend.
Route 2 will be closed progressively up to 25km before the gate if
much snow or total fire ban.
Having travelled during the last 10 yrs all 3 routes many times
on my wheels, I decided it was time to share this wonderful
wilderness with the rest of the world. The nice part of this is, I
had to go there again to lay the geocache. Previously geocaching
was not possible.
(Hence some of the "near" coords above (from a 25,000 map)- though
the important points I have gone back there on the MTB and I used
the GPS to be exact for these important points (yes rode there - I
know - mad mad mad, but comin down those hills, Cooeeeee, and the
views !!!))
Enjoy the wilderness and views. Energy renewal awaits you in the
cache.