NSW Nordic Ski Club
Off the Beaten Track Notes - Jagungal And Eucumbene Areas
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Many of the Huts mentioned in this article have been burned down since it was written.
The following is comprised from my 2 trips this year and is designed to assist others when planning trips in the area. In particular some map corrections are detailed as well as some ways of getting to some interesting spots.
Jagungal area
From Schlink Pass to Mawsons - if the weather is fine, instead of following the traditional routes climb onto the top of the Kerries and follow the ridge line. This gives interesting skiing amongst rock formations and splendid panoramas in all directions
North of Jagungal Saddle, Bogong Crk skirts E around a knoll at GR 266005. The map shows the knoll as "green" or treed whereas it is as smooth as a baby's bum. Climb to the neck of the saddle and the follow a slight descending traverse onto the broad spur to the E of O'Keefes and thence to the hut. This section is treed but they are well spaced enough for some graceful telemarks
When ascending Jagungal from Dersckos Hut follow the rd and climb the knoll at GR 231978 and then climb the ridge. The trees are fairly well spaced and as the ridge gets higher there are some open glades to the N. When it gets steep cut back to the S and follow a climbing traverse to the neck of the knob at GR 240972. Drop your packs here and do the ascent. This route works well in reverse as well
To escape asphixiation in Orange Hut, have the door to the stove closed, flue half open and the door partly open .
The Horse Camp aqueduct starts at GR 249810 (yes you can ski down through the trees - the point to turn off is where the Power Lines cross the road) and then follows 1600 contour all the way to the Penstocks. This gives a very good alternative to the Dissapointment Spur aqueduct. It also allows a bad weather route around most of the Rolling Grounds as you can link it to another aqueduct which starts beyond the top pumping station. This can be followed to GR 250760 where you have a treed section up onto the ridge at GR 250766. This then provides a clear route onto the Rolling Grounds (great alternative to the usual). The adequeduct does continue for a time towards Guthega before going underground thus forcing you into the trees. So, in bad weather take the route up to the ridge and contour around at 1750m to get to the Guthega Trig area.
Eucumbene Area
At the start of the trip we used to camp at the old construction village site (GR 478993) but this now has less than welcoming signs up everywhere. A good alternative is on a grassy bench N of the spillway at GR 463004
as a guide if there is snow cover on the hill between Eucumbene and the quarry (GR 421973) you can ski nearly all the Gungarlin valley . If the snow starts at the locked gate at GR 412976 then you can ski the Adams to Kelly Hut route and beyond. If the snow starts on the rd level with Adams (as is usually the case) then you need to stick to the ridge lines.
From the top of Bald Hill, as an alternative to skiing to Mackeys, keep following the Tolbar Rd and head for Happys Hut. The road has a very good gradient with about 4 kms of pleasant down hill running/double polling. This makes the 23 km to Happys quite achievable in a day (we had 4 days packs and arrived at 4.30 feeling only pleasantly tired). Also there are some good views across Happy Jacks Plain and the lake especially from Eucumbene Lookout at Grid 414077 which is a great lunch spot.
200m W of Happy's the map shows a creek line flowing S at GR 384135. Well, instead there is a very solid ridge and the creek line flows W to E to link up with the crk to the N of the Hut
From Brooks Hut most people ski to the bridge over Happy Jacks Creek. The map incorrectly shows this on a side creek and the bridge is really at GR 367098.
If you cross the bridge the norm is then a few km walk carrying your skis along the road (most people collect the odd blister in the process). As an alternative don't cross the bridge but follow the E & S facing snow leads in the lee of the ridge and you can ski all the way to GR 350087. This is just above the junction of Happy Jacks Crk and Tibauedos Crk. Here there are a number of crossing points on rocks which in medium water allow you to get across with wet soles but DRY feet. So overall a much quicker and nicer route
From Far Bald Mt you will notice on the map a Fire Trail winding its way northwards. Well it is there and can be skiied along (watch out for the wild pigs) to GR 310126 where you link up with the power line easement 30m to the N to allow you to ski out to a good lookout at GR 314136. This provides good views down the Tumut Valley and is a pleasant afternoon side trip
Boo Bee Hut is incorrectly shown on the map and is in fact 100m N of the crk at GR 319081. To get to the hut from the Far Bald Ridge the easiest route is the broad spur to the SW where the trees are fairly well spread (there is a short steep bit about 200ms from the tree line which can be fun in crust or ice)
Another side trip from the Far Bald ridgeline is to follow the general route of the foot trail marked on the map to the knoll at GR 289084. This vantage point provides some of the best views in the mountains (N face of Jagungal at close range, Round Mountain, 15 Mile Ridge, Table Top, Far Bald as well as the Tumut Valley etc)
The Creekline at GR 304028 goes on the E side and provides good access to Spencers Peak from the Grey Mare Fire Trail as does Diggers Crk to the NE. Both work for ascents or descents.
Anyway I hope the above helps in planning some routes away from the common trails and lets you get into the wild, steep and deep!
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