Cesjacks - Mt Jagunjal - Tarn Bluff & return in a day?

[bushnut]

Hi Everyone,

How insane/easy/doable would it be to start from Cesjacks, summit Jagunjal, head down to Tarn Bluff and make it back to Cesjacks in day (even a bit after night fall)?

We would be camping at Cesjacks the night before and would only be travelling with day packs. We are both reasonable fit (i.e. capable of hiking with 20kg packs for ~25km over challenging terrain) and have done plenty of hiking before (although not around that area).

Appreciate your help and advice!

Thanks

[NickH]

I did that exact walk, but reverse, over two nights. So exactly the same but different! It was also my first (in 30+ years) multi day walk. So keep that in mind if it begins to sound like I know anything!

On the presumption that you're fit, experienced etc, I'd say it's doable over a looong day. Dunno how enjoyable it'd be, but thats not my call.

My experiences:

Descending Jagungal, throughthe saddle and along the ridge: sections of very very thick growth. Chest deep in places.
Tarn Bluff to Jagungal: Staying high on the ridge to avoid the knee deep swampy bits lower down had us scrambling and climbing over trees and granite. either side of the geehi north of the bluff is 'fast' ground.
Smiths perisher was a bit of a bush bash but not too demanding.
We walked from beside the Geehi near the bluff, to Jagungal summit and back to Cesjacks in a long day with heavy packs. We were having dinner by 7.30pm after starting about 8.30am.

Tips:
* It's gunna be wet. good boots and gaiters. Once you're off the bulls peak trail, every step is a potential ankle roll. Even if its dry, its wet.
* The ascent from the south east is a relative doddle, firm, grassy, spectacular!
* It is relatively dry there atm, so your water points (presuming you don't want to deviate) will be the doubtful creek and geehi river. You'll have a long stretch between the two, including the summit.

Summary: Doable. Definitely insane. Not easy.

Final comment: I give it two thumbs down. Take a tent.

[Mark F]

Shouldn't be a problem. It is under 6km in a direct line from Cesjacks to Jagungal and all up 20 km hut to hut so a maximum day of 30km walked distance and no massive climbs. Much of the country is open with little scrub so quite fast. Like all these endeavours, start early.

[rcaffin]

It is possible, but only if you manage to stay on the open button grass. You need to be very hard-line about that. Do not get into the scrub.
Do you mean Bluff Tarn or Tarn Bluff? Going to Bluff Tarn is longer but easier. Climbing Tarn Bluff directly could be 'interesting'. I haven't done that.

For Bluff Tarn you would need to cross the Geehi at 'Four Ways' where it goes from south to west and go up the valley. Not hard.

Going home you would be advised to stay on the Divide, even though the descent down Smiths Perisher is now slightly overgrown, and then to follow the old 4WD track along the Divide back to Cesjacks.
The alternative, going over Macalister Saddle down into Doubtful Creek is easier, but traveling down the valley can be much slower. That might not matter on a clear full-moon night.

If at ANY stage the weather threatens to change, you will need to run for it!

Cheers
Roger

[bushnut]

Thanks everyone - sounds like it could be interesting...and possibly quite the challenge.

We were thinking of heading off early, around dawn, so we could make a pretty big day of it.

Roger, I was referring to Tarn Bluff.

My thinking was that we head to Mt Jagunjal first and then start making our way south to Tarn Bluff before returning via the fire trail. All weather dependent of course and if the conditions aren't good we would adjust accordingly - including making a run for it!

Thanks again for the advice!

[rcaffin]

Ah - Tarn Bluff. OK, I would like to know how that goes. We have always gone up to Bluff Tarn, which does not seem to be on the maps.

Good Luck!
Roger

[north-north-west]

My thinking was that we head to Mt Jagunjal first and then start making our way south to Tarn Bluff before returning via the fire trail. All weather dependent of course and if the conditions aren't good we would adjust accordingly - including making a run for it!

Trying to remember this more precisely . . . I have gone from Tarn Bluff to Jagungal and I don't recall any issues in finding a route, although I wasn't travelling at your intended speed.

[RVG]

It would be a long day and I doubt whether one can really do both Jagungal and Bluff Tarn in the same day as one is west of Cesjacks and the other is south.

In order to climb Jagungal from Cesjacks one really needs to allow 6 hours for the return journey. Similarly it is a full day to go to Bluff Tarn and back from Cesjacks.

I imagine that It's possible to do both in the one day, but it would help to be a masochist who has a long day free.

[NickH]

Just a note with regard to "...returning via the fire trail..."

By the time there is a distinguishable fire trail, you are within 3000m of Cesjacks. The first 6000m from the bluff towards Cesjacks...No trail. Not even a hint.

[rcaffin]

The first 6000m from the bluff towards Cesjacks...No trail. Not even a hint.
There is, if you know where to look.
It is NOT a well-marked track by any means, and 'some nav required'. I admit, the old track is suffering over-growth.

Cheers
Roger

[Warin]

There is an old disused track that is over to the Bulls Peaks. Very hard to see on Sat imagery, but indicated on the LPI Base Map. Looks to be a side trail off it towards the centreline between the Bluff and Cesjacks (on imagery).

[NickH]

Yes, I tried to follow it but lost it after Smiths Perisher and headed down to 4 ways instead

[bushnut]

Appreciate the comments everyone.

If Mt Jangunjal is 6hrs return and Tarn Bluff is the same then presumably we can do it in a day if the distance between is, say 4hrs. That would be 10hrs give or take. Does this make sense? I am happy to have a very long day, especially because we will be without our main packs.

Again, also happy to pull out if weather or other factors come into play.

Cheers