Archived trip from old website run by mikak
This Saturday is your chance to go bushwalking for a few hours during the day and still get home in plenty of time to shower, change and go socialising in the evening. This half day walk in Namadgi’s Orroral Valley (about 60km south of the ANU) starts at the old Orroral Tracking Station (930m) which operated from 1965 to 1985 in support of NASA missions. After exploring the kangaroo infested site we’ll follow the Granite Tops Walking Track which steadily ascends around 400m over about 4km through eucalypt to a Geodetic Observatory known as the Lunar Laser Ranger (1327m). The observatory operated from 1974 – 1998, firing laser pulses to the moon and measuring the time it took for them to reflect off mirrors left on the surface by Apollo astronauts. The timings provided information about the motion of the moon, the rotational wobbles of the earth, continental drift and the theory of relativity. The effort of the climb is rewarded with increasingly better views out across Orroral Valley to the ridges beyond, together with impressive granite boulders and wildflowers. Once at the observatory we’ll explore along the ridge amongst the boulders clusters and scrub before returning down the track with the aim of being back in Canberra by 3pm. This walk is suitable for beginners provided you don’t mind the ascent. Map: Rendezvous Creek 1:25,000. No pre-trip. Transport and other details will be arranged prior to the trip by email/phone.
See trip description
This Saturday is your chance to go bushwalking for a few hours during the day and still get home in plenty of time to shower, change and go socialising in the evening. This half day walk in Namadgi’s Orroral Valley (about 60km south of the ANU) starts at the old Orroral Tracking Station (930m) which operated from 1965 to 1985 in support of NASA missions. After exploring the kangaroo infested site we’ll follow the Granite Tops Walking Track which steadily ascends around 400m over about 4km through eucalypt to a Geodetic Observatory known as the Lunar Laser Ranger (1327m). The observatory operated from 1974 – 1998, firing laser pulses to the moon and measuring the time it took for them to reflect off mirrors left on the surface by Apollo astronauts. The timings provided information about the motion of the moon, the rotational wobbles of the earth, continental drift and the theory of relativity. The effort of the climb is rewarded with increasingly better views out across Orroral Valley to the ridges beyond, together with impressive granite boulders and wildflowers. Once at the observatory we’ll explore along the ridge amongst the boulders clusters and scrub before returning down the track with the aim of being back in Canberra by 3pm. This walk is suitable for beginners provided you don’t mind the ascent. Map: Rendezvous Creek 1:25,000. No pre-trip. Transport and other details will be arranged prior to the trip by email/phone.
See trip description
Trip category
Bushwalking
Date and Time
—
Estimated Costs
None