Walk 4: Stromlo Pine Forest: Block 45 and Block13 Stromlo

Description: This walk is an easy 10km circuit around the perimeter of two adjoining blocks of regrowth pine forest SW of Coppins Crossing. The walk follows well defined fire access trails. The area was totally devastated in the 2003 bushfires. The undulating country rises in elevation by about 100m from the Molonglo River to the high ground close to the Uriarra Road.
Location: 8km west of Canberra.
Locality map:

Stromlo block 45 + block 13 - Get more Business Documents

Distance: 10km circuit
Start/finish: Coppins Crossing carpark
Map:8727-3N Canberra 1:25000 [Grid ref 855933]
GPS: UTM zone 55H 685099E 6093312N

Walk log 1:
Date: 25 February 2009
Start time 0700
Walk time 6h 30m
Sun: rise 0645, transit 1315, set 1945.
Weather: Sunny hot 30C
At the west end of the carpark step through a gate and walk about 200m W following track to a style (set of wooden stairs) that take you over the fence and into the forest area. From this point KM0 [851933] the complete circuit can be counted as 10km. Today I walked it three times (30km). For the first 3km the trail contours generally NW above the Molonglo River. KM1 [846926], KM2 [843933], KM3 [843941]. KM3 is about the lowest point on the circuit at 520m. From here the next 2km rises up generally S past KM4 [838933] to a high point at KM5 [837923] at 605m. Shade is scarce, but this makes a good spot to stop half way to admire the views across Canberra and out westward to Mt Stromlo. Most of the 10km circuit can be seen from this vantage point.
At KM5 the trail turns sharp left (E) and heads downhill 0.4km, then right (SW) to KM6 [835918] and on in a sweeping curve eastwards to KM7 [838912]. This is the highest point of the circuit at 530m and close to the Uriarra Road. From here the trail heads generally NE, through KM8 [845916], then runs alongside Coppins Crossing Road. KM9 [850924] is close to Sectional Control survey mark ST134 [yellow concrete marker posts].
Saw rabbits, kangaroos, a fox and an echidna. Blackberries in profusion.
Satellite image
Well, here it is, my first attempt at embedding a satellite image as pdf file from ACTMAPi via docstoc. The results as seen below are impressive. This 2008 satellite imagery of the walk area
Stromlo Forest Block 45_ Block 13 - Get more Business Documents