#10 MC-Oakey

Date: 22 March 2014

Points of Interest: Mature gum trees, expansive views, cockatoos and other birds

Difficulty rating: 1

Right in the middle of the Woden Valley. Although not a tall hill, the views are quite panoramic, including taking in the Molonglo valley, up the Tuggeranong Parkway, Mount Taylor and Black Mountain Tower. It was misty earlier on my walk, making some of the views more moody although hard to capture on the mobile phone.

There were quite a few walkers, dogs and even a cyclist when I went up around 9am. It appears quite popular, probably because of its proximity to surrounding suburbs.

There is a significant electricity distribution station at the foot of the hill, and a communication tower at the top as well as a large water reservoir.

Another solo walk, so no selfie swinging on the quadripod, sorry.

Mount Taylor

Black Mountain Tower in the distance

View of the new Molonglo suburb development 

#7 - Red Hill Lookout

Date: 8 Mar 2014

Points of Interest: Tourist site, great views, cafe

Difficulty rating: 0

Appearances aside, the Red Hill Lookout is not on the nose. On the contrary, it is a pleasant place for afternoon tea with excellent views of Canberra, although you do pay extra for the privilege.

Ceri and I enjoyed a coffee (tea for me) and shared a passion fruit - date cake on the way home from previously checking out the displays at the National Gallery.

On the hill conquest side of things, this is not strictly one of Canberra's trig stations -- but we will count it nevertheless. The actual Major Control marks are MC-Red Hill East and MC- Red Hill Ecce, and both are just a short drive down and are only a few steps away from the road. Neither of these are quadripods, so decided to ignore them.

#8 MC-Stanley

Date: 9 Mar 2014

Points of Interest: Pine forest, communication towers

Difficulty rating: 1.5

Access from Long Gully Road along Isaacs Ridge. Lots of trails through the pine forest. Popular with communication towers at the top, understandably so as Isaacs Ridge is strategically located. Views to Woden Valley on one side, Symonston and towards Queanbeyan on the other side. And views of Lake Burley Griffin and the CBD towards the end of Isaacs Ridge.

Unfortunately MC-Stanley is not a quadripod -- just the yellow posts. As this was a solo walk, and I have not yet developed selfie skills, there are no pose shots. In any case, the yellow posts were on the other side of a wire fence and unusually, not accessible.

 Looking towards Queanbeyan.

 View of a quarry in Symonston.

View of Woden

#6 MC-Champion

Date: 2 March 2014

Points of interest: In a suburban park, not a quadripod

Difficulty rating: 0

I have been relying on the ACT survey instruments map to identify where the trig stations are. The trig stations are categorised as Major Control (MC) marks. MC-Champion appears as one of these supposed trig stations.

But as you can see from the photo below, it is not a quadripod, but instead consists of the yellow markers more typically used for the Sectional Control (SC) marks. But we will still tick it off the list, even though we could drive almost right to the spot in a neighbourhood park! And I will put in a note to ask the map administrators to clarify the relationship between MC marks and trig stations and quadripods.

Great pose, Amy!

#5 Mt Arawang

Date: 2 March 2014

Points of interest: Steep access trail, crows, interesting large rocks

Difficulty rating: 1.5

Second trig station in two weekends! Not far from Cooleman Ridge. Views of Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley, Tuggeranong Town in the distance. Can see Black Mountain Tower (but can see this from everywhere in Canberra). Last hill with Amy before she leaves for NY next Wednesday. Colleen (Quinn's Mum) accompanied Amy and me. Amy bounded up, I huffed and puffed up. Must get into better shape before Sofia comes up from Melbourne -- we will be going up Mt Ainslie, and I know she will run up, while I will stop every few minutes.

Just in case you are interested, the shape of these trig stations is called a quadripod and constructed in the 1970s.