The Ride in Sections
DAY 1
Jindabyne to Mackays Hut
89km; 1923m ascent
Today is the longest day of the trip, so get an early start. Commencing from the Jindabyne Bowling Club, head south between it and the lake before immediately swinging right, up to Banjo Paterson Crescent and heading southeast. After a couple of hundred metres take the first left down Townsend St, then the first right on Cobbon Crescent. Less than 100m down, you’ll see a signpost on the left announcing the start of the singletrack. This is Copper Tom Trail. It runs for 2.6km around the lake, twisting smoothly alongside Lake Jindabyne, through grasslands and stands of deciduous trees and radiata pine. When you pop out of it, head across the dam wall, and immediately commence Mill Creek Trail. A switchbacking climb gets you to the top of the hill, after which there’s a flowy descent which, even with the weight of five days of food and gear, will bring a smile to your face.
Just shy of 4km along Mill Creek Trail, there’s a signposted junction with Pink Trail. Turn left here, descending down this fun trail, replete with jumps and sizable berms, for nearly a kilometre. At the junction, head left down Wrap A Go Go. It’s a little more technical than trails you’ve encountered so far, but nonetheless still manageable with bikepacking gear. The end of Wrap A Go Go marks the end of the official trail network, but the singletrack continues. After popping out at some houses, head briefly up a small, sealed road; below the houses, turn left, and then you’re back on dirt. Follow this track for a couple of hundred metres, then go through a concrete-pathed picnic area. At the end of the path, cross the head of a sandy beach, and pick up the singletrack again on
