Tom Kneen Track at Mt Feathertop

[janhvic]

Has anyone been on the Tom Kneen Track lately?

[Lophophaps]

I have not been on this track recently, but it's been there for about 50 years (if not named until the mid-1980s after Tom died on Feathertop) so I expect the track to be okay. This has the closest natural reliable water to Federation Hut.

[janhvic]

Thanks Lophohaps. I just wonder what this track would look like these days as I haven't found any one been on it in the last few years.

[Xplora]

Maybe search under North West spur. There have been reports on that recently or at least last year. The bridge at the creek was still out but a log was available to cross. I am not sure what information you require but it is long and steep. The track is easy enough to follow but some navigation may be required from the carpark at the trout farm to the start of the spur as the that part may be more indistinct.

[Lophophaps]

See https://www.mumc.org.au/history
"1965–1966: Mt. Feathertop Hut construction begins during the summer. Funds are raised through donations, raffles and functions. Final cost of the hut is £2,480. Establishment of the Mt. Feathertop Hut enables the Empress Track to be cleared around July 1965: Empress Track is named after Empress Hut, where Hatt and Judge last stayed before their deaths. The upper section of the Empress Track later becomes known as the Tom Kneen Track and the lower half becomes North West Spur track; however, the latter appellation is commonly applied to the entire route to the MUMC Hut."

So it seems that the Tom Kneen Track is from MUMC Hut to the junction on Feathertop, and NW Spur Track is below MUMC Hut.

[Xplora]

This is the trip report I was thinking of
viewtopic.php?f=46&t=26520
Not sure whether the sign is referring to the NW spur as the Tom Keen track or as Lops says the name changes. No matter anyway. Hope it helps.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

I walked down it a few years ago. It was very steep and the track was not 100 % obvious in some sections.I wasn't using walking poles back then so my legs were just cactus for days afterwards. I was hobbling!
Just stay on top of the spur and you will be OK.I don't remember any dramas with creek crossings at the bottom. It was a tough way to descend Mt. FT. . I might go up it this May/ early June before the snows set in.
You would not want to ascend this route when the weather is hot.

[janhvic]

Thank you very much everyone! I am keen to check out this track when the weather is cooler.