Walk 2: Green Hills Pine Forest.

Location: 8km west of Canberra.
Description: Fire trail walking in Green Hills Pine Forest bounded by Coppins Crossing Road, the Molonglo River, Tuggeranong Parkway and William Hovell Drive. Estimated distance 12km out. 6km back using shortcut.
Start & finish: Molonglo River at Coppins Crossing carpark
Route: Coppins Crossing>Misery Point>Tuggeranong Parkway>Dairy Farmers Hill>Coppins Crossing
Map: Canberra 1:25000 8727-3N 2nd edition
GPS: UTM zone55H
Grid references [MGA]: Six digits from map to nearest 100m [EEENNN]
Terrain: Easy gradients with climb from Coppins Crossing (~500m)to Dairy Farmers Hill (~680m).
Obstacles: Some gates, easily negotiated.

Walk log: Thursday 12 February 2009. Start 1000. Conditions cool, overcast, fresh SE wind 16C.
Parked car at Coppins Crossing carpark [855934]. Walked across a dank and smelly Molonglo River at the causeway, then N up Coppins Crossing Road, under 132kV powerline, to locked gate on right [856936]. (Stock grazing advice). Climbed over gate then followed trail in generally SE direction approx 2km, contouring above the north bank of the river. Landscape bare, exposed, infested with rabbits, blackberries and rose briars. The blackberries were vigorous, rampant and in full fruit; small and sweet. Perhaps sprayed with Roundup, but no warning signs and no adverse effects, except for black, blue & red hands, from eating a few handfuls!!
The course of the river was easily seen with thick growth of casuarina; the river itself was not flowing, with numerous exposed black rocky ledges and stagnant pools. Cattle were grazing , but no problem. Saw many kangaroos, a fox & hare and several rabbits. A solitary nectarine tree was bearing ripe fruit, quite likely the relict of a forest worker from 10 years ago.
The reverse side of the Canberra 25K topographic map is an aerial photo collage of the area from 2001, before the devastating bushfires of 2003. It shows a green swathe of pine forest that was in large part reduced to ashes [Total Burn Zone],some of which has since been replanted. Those areas not replanted still look ruined, with the charcoal remains of treetrunks piled high like dry bones. When the earlier aerial photos are compared with more recent Google Earth satellite images the change is striking.
The 'poo pipe', the Canberra trunk sewer leading to the Lower Molonglo Water Control Centre, runs through this area, and the occasional whiff from the massive ventilation shafts reminds you of what is running through the pipe!! The two 132kV transmission lines converge near ventilation shaft Ryan VS [868914] and here you make a right turn to head generally SW, climbing a gate at [867914]. After about 1km at the top of a rise an opening in the fence [860912] leads to a track running down to Misery Point [853909] at a near 180 degree bend on the banks of the river. This place is not marked on the map, but Misery Hill Lookout is marked in Gregory's 2008 Canberra Street Directory at map 48 G13. It would make a nice enough spot for a break or even a swim if there was a bit more water in the river. But why the misery!!??
Back up to the main trail, then follow it in a generally S direction about 1km. A low causeway (Southwells Crossing) fords the Molonglo River at [861897]. On the S bank there is short rise up (Old Deeks Drive) until the track meets the National Bicentennial Horse Trail. From here the suburbs of Weston Creek & Curtin can be seen (and heard!!). The RSPCA animal refuge is close by. The communication tower on top of Oakey Hill at Curtin stands out, as does Mt Stromlo Observatory and Stromlo Forest Park on its slopes. Turning left, the horse trail leads back down to the river to cross by a larger causeway (Clos [Clohessy's] Crossing) at [866898] onto the north bank again. Turning right, you follow the trail 1km generally NW towards the Tuggeranong Parkway bridge at [874903] which noisily crosses the river. If you continue along the trail under the Parkway you will reach the Scrivener Dam about 2km distant.
Turning left here to follow the rising trail due north about 1km, crossing over Forest Drive. Stopped for lunch on a burnt log at fence and gates [872911]. Signs on the gates advised of grazing stock in the area for undergrowth reduction and a 'Community Grazing Project' inviting locals to bring along their food scraps and grass clippings to feed the friendly cattle! From here followed the rising track and fence line generally NNW to junction [875923] on the edge of regrowth pine forest. This is at the southern base of Dairy Farmers Hill (DFH). Bashing through the pines uphill in N direction would take you to the top of DFH, but I chose to follow trails and so detoured first NW then doubled back E. At this point new roadworks, landscaping and plantings for the Canberra International Arboretum and Gardens are evident all around. From the top of DFH [877926] there are panoramic views of Canberra and surrounding hills...worth the walk!! From here it is probably best to retrace your steps to the start, with a shortcut from the lunch stop [872911] to Ryan VS [870914] cutting out the 6km Misery Hill pocket.