Monday, 5 October 2015

Oak Hill

A short easy walk for a hot day - that's Oak Hill up there somewhere, possibly the one with the tower (though its actually in NSW).

The loop comprises a clockwise circuit with a spur along the ridge. Keep going along this spur and you'll end up at Hall (eventually).

Nothing too strenuous - but we elected to take the steeper ascent whilst it was cooler. The homeward stretch is pretty much all downhill.

There are a few dams to start with - but no significant signs of life.

The track up is gentle and wide - here we crossed an "ant highway" where there were so many ants following the same route that they'd carved a track in the grass.

Looking back down the hill, the carpark where we started is beyond the dam and just a little to the left.

I don't really need more pictures of telecommunications structures, but can't resist.

From Oak Hill you get a panoramic view of Gunghalin ... with the Brindabella mountains in the background.

That's Black Mountain (and Telstra Tower) more or less in the centre.

Once the ridge-line is reached, its easy walking - with the need to keep an eye open for the occasional mountain bike rider.

This is a "split lock" - two lines of rocks that intersect
at a point where the ACT/NSW border changes
direction. Many of the marker pegs at this point have
rotted away, but the stones remain.

Just a little further over the ridge you can see the "Northern Campground", accessible only by foot.

We stopped and retraced our steps when reaching
this tree with an impressive nest - characteristic of
a Wedge-tailed Eagle (though no occupants evident).

Another view as we head back towards the "circuit".

Carpark dead centre of this picture.

Looking back on the track that wends its way along the ACT/NSW border through open woodland.

Bill, Wayne and Mark were along for the walk.

This bearded dragon didn't welcome our intrusion on his morning walk. When I got close to take this picture, he took a leap at my camera - then rocketed off at speed between my legs. My natural protective instincts came to the fore and I jumped to distract him from the others (who were laughing helplessly on the sidelines)!

The final stretch back to the carpark. All up about a 7km walk with about a 140m altitude gain.