Pinnacle FT on Grey Mare Range

[rcaffin]

Has anyone been up or down this in the last few years - full length from The Twins to the Geehi Dam Rd?
We did it in 2006 after the fires, and it was a bit overgrown with wattle at that stage.

Cheers
Roger

[Zapruda]

I am interested in the answer to this as well. I walked out to Grey Mare hut from Guthega Dam on Saturday and on the approach to the hut I kept seeing the track leading up to the ridge and thought it would be worth exploring that area. The Geehi dam climb looks like fun on the topos...

[rcaffin]

I asked the NPWS HQ.
They referred me to the Jindi Ranger. He was away but referred me to his Area Mgr.
I asked the Area Mgr. Pinnacles are not his area,, so he referred me to Area Mgr 'next door'.
Area Mgr next door did not know, but referred me to one of his Rangers.
With me still?
That Ranger tells me it is 'mostly clear' but not drivable. Have to find out.

The climb up from the dam is a shade steep and long.

Cheers
Roger

[Zapruda]

Well, that sounds about right... I appreciate the update.

Ill post back here if I make it out there before the snow starts falling. I wouldn't mind walking along the ridge and dropping down to Pretty Plain. I found an old trail near Bulls Head Rock that looks promising.

http://maps.ozultimate.com/?lat=-36.20104027054029&lng=148.31137418746948&zoom=16&id=1521501326288

Do you have any insights or advice in that area, Roger? Obviously Jagungal can be a mixed bag with scrub.

Cheers

[rcaffin]

Ah yes. The remains of the Strumbo FT, going from the Grey Mare Range to the Dargals FT. It used to be a very nice walk, with HUGE mountain ash trees in the valley (magnificent things), but after the 2003 fires the wattle regrowth was incredible, especially where the open track had been. We did walk it after the fires - once, and found that you could travel faster by staying OFF the track itself. It was a bit tiring ...

I gather it has been cleared from the Dargals to the Pretty Plain valley/saddle - or so it seems from Google Earth, but there are a few km between that part and the track coming off the Grey Mare Range which has not been cleared. Linking the two could be a bit tricky.

Imho, that FT should be recleared, at least to walking track standard. It can make for some very interesting loops.

Cheers
Roger

[Zapruda]

Very interesting. Thanks for the info, Roger. Looks like I have some exploring to do.

[Cammo]

Did a 4 day hike Dec 27 starting with Day 1 Olsens Road (closed - no surprise) to Grey Mare Hut via Pinnacle Trail. Roughly 32k's 13hrs. What can l say about the first half of Pinnacle Trail... very slow, very wet, very overgrown, trees down everywhere plus leech infested with a few snakes thrown in.

[Kletterer]

The road to Geehi Dam is now open. Circa 19km to the Hut with about 900 vertical. Took us 7.45 hours. Day 2 was through to Valentines and down to the bridge over Dicky Cooper Creek at 1500 elevation. There is room for a tent 150 metres along an old fire trail next to the bridge. Day 3 was back to Geehi Dam . This section has a bit more vertical than expected. Its a great 3 day circuit. Not much water on the Mares range until you get close to the descent to the Hut.

[johnrs]

Hi Kletterer
How was the old firetrail up from the dam?
Has it been cleared at all?
Thanks
John

[snowygreybeard]

The trail from Geehi dam to Bourkes Gorge Road got a lot of vehicle use when the main road to the dam (past Olsens lookout) was closed - so is very clear

[Kletterer]

Hi Kletterer
How was the old firetrail up from the dam?
Has it been cleared at all?
Thanks
John

Its in good condition. No fallen trees.