Wednesday 20 January 2021 Lake Jindabyne, Waste Point

We started our next paddle from Waste Point, the site of the big pump that starts the process of shifting the waters of the Snowy River across and under the mountains to the Hume Weir and thence to the Murray River.

Once again we hit the water at 9.05 and headed down the lake

to the Thredbo (nee Crackenback) River

Heading up the river,

disturbing more Maned Duck as we went

reaching as far as the flat water could take us at 9.35

If only the lake were another metre higher!

Retracing our steps

We pulled in at 10.05 for what turned out to be our first morning tea. After a 30 minute rest we paddled back down to the lake and

headed up it,

passed the boat ramp where we put in,

heading for the Snowy River Arm. After paddling up the arm for approx a kilometre we found a handy little beach and pulled in at 11.30am for a second break,

and looked across to the pumping house and big surge tower on the hill. Whilst the rest of us took our ease for 20 minutes R diligently practiced side sculling.

The barrier across the river which prevents any boaters venturing further.

Back past the National Parks buildings and still no wind!

Returning to the boat ramp at 12.30pm

Trip Notes:

Put In/Take Out: Waste Point Boat Ramp

11kms

3hrs 25mins

Monday 18 January 2021 Lake Jindabyne: Kalkite

Last Sunday we took a little jaunt to the Snowy Mountains in order to undertake a couple of paddles on Lake Jindabyne.

Monday we paddled from Kalkite up what had once being the Eucumbene River Valley.

We arrived at the Kalkite Boat ramp about 8.30am and took to the water 9.05am heading to the right toward the Eucumbene arm

Heading into the arm

We pulled in for a 5 minute leg stretch at 9.55am, by then the day was heating up.

Australian Wood Duck also known as Maned Duck

Lots of dry stream beds coming in from either side, it must be quite a sight when they are running

Australian Wood Duck taking flight

The last 100 metres or so we paddled over thick weed before

reaching the limit of our paddle at 10.22am.

We made our way back downstream and

stopped for morning tea 10.40am for 40 minutes at the first shady spot we found.

We paddled back into a head breeze, for once enjoyed as it cooled us down.

After exiting the arm we wove our way through a variety of kayakers, paddle boarders and a water skier the last of us arriving back at the boat ramp at 12.35pm.

Trip Notes:

Put In/Take Out: Kalkite boat ramp

Lake Level: 75%

10kms.

3hrs 30mins

Friday 15 January 2021 Mogareeka to Blackfellows Lagoon

R described today's paddle thus:

"I thought the Bega River was particularly pretty today.  The river mouth with its many shades of blue-green crystal clear water and schools of fish swimming by was stunning.  The winds were mostly in our favour pushing us along, the clean green water further up the river and the reed beds blowing and swinging in the breeze made for a picturesque paddle."

After doing the car shuffle we took to the water an hour before high tide.

and paddled out toward the entrance

A Sea Eagle in the dead tree above the tip of V's paddle

Heading up the river

A bevy of birds, only one of which took off

as the current pushed my boat closer and closer

After a quick legstretch at the sandy beach on the big bend we crossed the river and headed up into, for us, an unexplored backwater

At 10.55am we stopped for morning tea in the backwater, sheltered from the breeze

At 11.40 we resumed our paddle and headed back out into the river to continue our journey upstream.

A Sea Eagles next where we stopped for lunch at 12.30pm

Lunch with the entrance to Blackfellows Lagoon across the river

Taking to the water again at 1.15pm

As we threaded our way through the reed beds in Blackfellows lagoon this little fellow was singing his head off.  Any ideas what it is?

The all new singing and dancing boat ramp at Blackfellows - boat ramp and jetty but bugger all parking and no other facilities :(  And no kayak/canoe launch area!  We finished our paddle at 2.00pm

 

  Trip Notes:

Put In: Mogareeka

Take Out: Blackfellows Lagoon

10.3kms

High tide at entrance: 10.38am 1.9metres