On Monday 12th February 2018, I joined Craig Rayner for another day of bushwalking in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Craig liked the idea of doing the walk to Devils Gap so I met up with him at his place in Gordon, a southern Canberra suburb at 9.20am for the 20 minute drive to nearby Tidbinbilla. It was a clear sunny day and the temperature was no more than 25 degrees this morning with an expected high of 29 degrees by 3pm.

We entered the Nature reserve and drove over to the Devils Gap car park, passing the two crossing on the nearby Church Rock Loop Walking Track and arrived at the car park just before 9.55am. We wasted little time in donning our rucksacks and setting out after signing the walk register. The trail is on the other side of the narrow access road from the car park and the fire trail ascends through woodland and dry sclerophyll forest to the gap which is located on the 1000 metre contour.

The going was slowish but steady as we made our way up the steep incline and despite the low temperatures the sun soon warmed us up and the sweat soon flowed freely. However, rest breaks were few, even for Craig who often struggles on the steeper walks. I pointed out to him near the top that contrary to previous opinions, I felt he would have no problems with the walk to Gibraltar Peak.

We steadily ascended through the forest, though views were few during the ascent save for tantalising glimpses of the nearby Tidbinbilla Ranges through the trees and occasional views of the nature reserve. Our short stops were mainly to take drink breaks rather than gather our breaths save for one bend in the dirt road after quite a steep section was completed. At 10.50am we reached a level section of road that appeared to pass between two peaks. An orange road sign informed us we had arrived at Devils Gap.

While Craig took a drink and comfort break I followed the trail a short distance as it descended gradually from the gap looking for the locked gate which is featured in many books and pamphlets on the walk. I also hoped to get a view from a gap in the tree line. Unfortunately no luck with both. The gate was obviously further down the trail. I returned to the Devils Gap sign to find Craig checking a small signpost next to a foot track.

After doing the entire walk to this point on an unsealed fire road, we now had the option of following a foot track through the forest. Where it led we had no idea, maybe to the hilltop to our right which has the enchanting name of 'The Pyramid'. After a short morning fruit break we followed the winding track in the forest finding signposts that revealed this was the 'Devils Gap Loop Trail' not mentioned in any of the Nature Reserve books or pamphlets. It is obviously a new trail which is confirmed by the fresh wood used in step and bridge construction that we came across on the trail.

About 300 metres along the trail we came to a track intersection. The loop trail continuing to the left downhill. To the right is a stone cairn marked trail heading into the scrub. Craig and I decide to take a quick look at this trail and follow it for about 300 metres until the track faded out and ceased at a large granite rock. We believe that the track eventually takes us to the summit of the Pyramid. We discuss going further, but decide to head back to the loop track as we are on a time constraint today with my work shift commencing in a few hours time.

We arrive back at the intersection and follow the loop track downhill, where, at the bottom we cross a small intermittent creek, presently dry, via a new footbridge. Less than 100 metres later we step out onto the fire road we had left at the top of the hill. A check of my GPS revealed we were less than 500 metres above the Corin Road. Craig and I now discuss our return to Devils Gap. Do we return via the foot track and tackle the steep ascent through the forest or take the fire trail, which reveals a long hairpin bend and steep road ascent. The answer was a no brainer. We stepped back onto the track and returned to the gap via a more interesting route.

The steps slowed us down just a little and in the heat of the late morning we found it quite warm, though we did get back to the track intersection less effortlessly that we had expected. We discussed checking out the Pyramid again and decided it was worth leaving for another time when we had all day to check side tracks out. We arrived back at Devils Gap, had a quick drink break and then commenced our descent back to the car.

What really surprised us was the steep gradient in the road that we hadn't noticed during the ascent, maybe that was because we had our heads down concentrating on getting one foot in front of the other and not wanting to view the steep ascent in the road ahead of us. We now noticed a few further views, still tree interrupted, but also had to be careful of loose gravel on the road that threatened to have us slipping over. I was glad I brought a trekking pole for assistance and it truly helped. Near the bottom we came to a view of a small open area on a saddle and wondered what it was. We were to find out what later on the 'Church Rock Loop Walk'. We arrived back at the car at 12.15pm and decided to have a lunch break in the shade of the scrub next to the car park. We later did a rushed walk of the Church Rock Loop before heading home.