JudeLNS wrote:The plan as it stands is to walk from Watchbed Creek over the Nelses to Spion Kopje, then Spion Kopje to Bogong and down the Staircase Spur. Currently we believe each day would be 12km to Spion Kopje, just 8km over the Grey Hills, and 17km over Bogong and down. That last day has me most worried due to the snow up there.
What are your thoughts on this?
Lophophaps wrote:Summit – foot of Eskdale – Mountain Creek camping area is about the same time as summit – Staircase – Mountain Creek camping area, and you can shave about 20 minutes off the end by having the pickup at the gate.
north-north-west wrote:Re camping on the proposed route - there are viable tentsites on the lower part of Quartz Ridge, among the snowgums. A bit more sheltered than Bogong West Peak.
Lophophaps wrote:Now that I have a map I can advise that the treeline at Timms Lookout on the road is about 1780 metres, northish from the north feed to the Whiterock Falls system. There's camping in that little valley, sheltered to some degree. It's a good idea to have a number of camps tentatively identified so that a day can be extended or shortened easily. Look at escape routes as well. From Bogong Creek Saddle it's a foot-numbing 20 kilometres to Mountain Creek by sundry fire tracks, or for about the same distance and time, Mount Beauty.
JudeLNS wrote: If we cannot do the hike at all, I was thinking of walking from the Howqua to Howitt and to The Bluff over 3 days.
Xplora wrote:These roads do not open until cup weekend and BHP road is not going to be open until mid October at least.
Lophophaps wrote:See this link
http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/safety/closur ... -closures2
"Seasonal road closures generally operate from the long weekend in June through to the end of October/beginning of November, but may be extended due to seasonal conditions."
There's specifics on all regions. The bottom line is that you cannot count on a road that is closed in winter being open until mid-November, if not a little later.
north-north-west wrote:The road into Lake Cobbler has never been gated in my experience. It will be rough at that time of the year, however. There is also the possibility of blockages from treefalls, so take a chainsaw.
Some years ago I did the Koonika - Kings, Speculation loop with the sidetrip to Cobbler, in late October, a week or two before the Speculation Rd gate was opened. The storm damage was incredible - literally hundreds of trees down over the roads between the lake and the King River, and then later between Speculation and the walking track turnoff. The descent track back to the lake from the ridge leading to Cobbler was also buried under a mass of fallen trees.
Xplora wrote:north-north-west wrote:The road into Lake Cobbler has never been gated in my experience. It will be rough at that time of the year, however. There is also the possibility of blockages from treefalls, so take a chainsaw.
Some years ago I did the Koonika - Kings - Speculation loop with the sidetrip to Cobbler, in late October, a week or two before the Speculation Rd gate was opened. The storm damage was incredible - literally hundreds of trees down over the roads between the lake and the King River, and then later between Speculation and the walking track turnoff. The descent track back to the lake from the ridge leading to Cobbler was also buried under a mass of fallen trees.
I remember that year. It took months to clear the track with the help of volunteers.
north-north-west wrote:Appalling, wasn't it? Took me nearly two hours to get down from the junction, carrying the full pack and clambering over and around all the fallen timber. I was most impressed next time I went up at how good a job had been done fixing it.
Lophophaps wrote:I'm unaware of the status of the Cobbler Track, but suggest that towards the end of winter it could be a bit slick, and may even be closed.
Another option albeit somewhat out and back is to go west from Bogong Village over the Fainers to Jaithmathang. There's good sheltered camping in most parts of the walk, and an option of a day trip from near Tawonga Huts. Depending on the time you start on the first day, this may be viable:
1 Bogong Village, Bogong Jack , Little Plain, 16 kilometres, ~1200 metres of climbing, all on tracks
2 Tawonga Huts, 5 kilometres, ~200 metres climbing. Day trip to Jim, Cope, or the like.
3 Back along the road to Bogong Jack, 10 kilometres, more or less flat
4 Downhill to Bogong Village, 11 kilometres.
paidal_chalne_vala wrote:I could ski some of that !!!
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