The initial plan for today was to take the Alpine Way from Jindabyne to Khancoban thence to Tumut and back via the Snowy Mountains Highway. After some arithmetic, it became clear that this would be far to drive in one day and actually see anything, so the journey was shortened. After Khancoban the journey would be to Cabramurra, Australia's highest town, then to Kiandra and a visit to Old Adaminaby before returning to Jindabyne.
A map in a separate browser window is available for this day's travel.
The road travelled through large sections burned during the 2003
fires. This was taken at an area where there was room to pull
off and snap some photos. These are the "dead" snowgums which
I saw yesterday around Guthega. But note the greenery sprouting
from the base of the tree. But also note the relatively small
size of the growth, relative to the full grown trees; this was
taken approximately 4 years after the fires. Clearly it will be
many years before the forests are green again.
Same fire, different type of eucalypt. Note how, although the
trunk is blackened, there are new shoots all over the place.
Note also that this is not an especially wide road, and some
of it is rather steep.
A closer view of one of these trees, clearly showing the new growth.
View from the lookout, I think to the south.
Despite its name, the lookout is 2.5km south of Scammells Ridge.
It was named after the family who were among the early selectors
in the Khancoban area during the 1860s.
A closer view of the scene to the south from Scammells Ridge Lookout.
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Empty Dams