Micalong Creek, Wee Jasper Bush Camp

Thursday 29 April - Tuesday 4 May 2010

Led by: Len

Reports by Karen M & Nancy

Len's bush camp at Micalong Creek near Wee Jasper got underway from Thursday 29 April - Tuesday 4 May when 26 bushwalkers arrived at the campsite with our tents, camper trailers and caravans. The campsite is idyllic, set on the banks of the fast flowing Micalong Creek in a valley surrounded by rolling hills and forest. The camp has been planted with exotic deciduous trees - plane, claret ash, and birch - which were in full autumn colour. Anticipating the chilly autumn evenings, many brought in a supply of firewood to feed our camp fire each night.

The weather each day was bushwalking perfect - sunny, mild and windless, and many enjoyed a cup of tea and breakfast in the warm morning sunshine before setting off on walks.

Day 1: The medium/hard walk and medium walk were similar. Led by Len, the medium walkers parked 2 km below the summit of Mt Wee Jasper, climbed to the top, and then walked all the way down to the bottom of the mountain to waiting shuffle cars.

The medium/hard walkers led by Betty, started at the bottom of the mountain and climbed 6km to the top, had lunch and then retraced our steps back to the cars at the bottom. This walk forms part of the Hume and Hovell Track which runs 440 km from Yass to Albury and roughtly follows the footsteps of those two explorers, Hamilton Hume and William Hovell.

Highlights were extensive views over the surrounding valleys, forest and farmland, several different zones of vegetation as we ascended the mountain, and a wonderful array of many coloured fungi, especially in the abandoned pine plantation just below the summit.


Micalong Creek campsite Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Autumn colours at Micalong Creek Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Hi jinks on top of Mt Wee Jasper Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Donna descending through farmland near end of walk Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Some of the curious fungi along the track to Mt Wee Jasper
Photos by Donna
Click on thumbnails to enlarge photos

Day 2: Len again led an easy/medium walk along an adjoining section of the Hume and Hovell Track starting at the Fitzgerald Trackhead in Wee Jasper and heading out through farmland and along creeks to a ridge where the going started to get steep. There they stopped for lunch overlooking the valley before returning along the same route.

Betty's medium walkers followed a longer section of the Hume and Hovell Track from Wee Jasper to Fitzpatrick Trackhead. The walk started out with a long climb up a moderately steep hill through eucalypts, grevilleas and the odd grass tree. Once over the top the moss lined path led through rocky granite outcrops and easier terrain to a ridge from where we could take advantage of panoramic views of Wee Jasper and the valley below, and the Goodradigbee River leading all the way back to Burrinjuck Dam. Looking back the other way we could see Mount Wee Jasper and its pine forests which had been conquered the previous day.

While on the ridge we also spotted some Hardenbergias and the native blue star-flowered Isotoma axyllaris, normally seen in garden rockeries. Retracing a short distance the group descended the hill down into the green valley through which ran the Wee Jasper Creek. This section was lush with ferns and mosses, framing the creek below. Another short trek through some interesting rocky outcrops led us down to the Fitzpatrick Trackhead Reserve and a well deserved lunch and the end of this lovely walk.


Simeon Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Stan Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Perfect bushwalking weather Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Jan Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Day 3: Lay day. Len suggested a walk along Micalong Creek which ended in a 30 minute climb up to a large rock perched high above the campsite. Several of us decided to join him and found ourselves scrambling up a steep trail and eventually arriving at a near vertical slope where ropes were slung up the track. The ropes helped progress enormously and we were soon on top of a couple of huge rocks overlooking our campsite way below.

As it was Betty's birthday, we sang a raucous refrain of Happy Birthday over the valley. The view was fantastic and we enjoyed some time sitting in the sunshine appreciating our surroundings before lowering ourselves back down the ropes to the valley floor.

Others spent the day lazing in the sunshine, exploring the immediate surrounds, having lunch at the pub, or driving to Tumut on the back roads.

In the afternoon a large group drove out to Carey's Cave we inspected at some length, several underground galleries festooned with stalactites and stalacmites, shawls, columns, mysteries and calcified tree roots with a local guide.


Walkers on rock above campsite Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Karen Photo by Bob Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Campsite far below Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Mike Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Day 4: Molly led easy walkers on a stroll from camp along Micalong Creek and the Goodradigbee River. Betty led medium walkers on a longer walk from camp which also followed the Goodradigee River and Micalong Creek, but involved more hills, rockhopping and some blackberry bashing. Unfortunately the creeks and rivers in the Wee Jasper area are infested with the dreaded blackberry. However, Len and Betty had previously cut a way through the worst of it, so we were able to enjoy the quiet serenity of the river without too many scratches.


Bob, Ann, Karen & Ainslie Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Betty by the Goodradigbee River Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Ann and Nancy Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Lesley & Heather crossing Micalong Creek Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Dinner on the last night was at the pub in Wee Jasper, a suitably rustic setting to complete a thoroughly enjoyable camp in the great Australian outdoors. Thank you to Len for leading the camp, and to Betty for her invaluable assistance in leading walks every day. They both spent considerable time exploring the area prior to our arrival and consequently did not put a foot wrong.


Karen with column in Careys Cave Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Mary and Bob enjoying dinner at Wee Jasper Pub Photo by Lesley Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo