Mt Ida camp sites and route from lakeside

[Tassie tyger]

Anyone been up Mt Ida lately?

I'm considering paddling over to the eastern side of lake St Clair, camping overnight and heading up to the summit.

Best campsite? And...is the route reasonably easy to find on Ida, or does she require some bush bashing, route finding effort? Average time return?

Thanks in advance, and let's see if it snows

[rucksack]

The little protected cove at 55G 429860.23 m E 5346553.98 m S is the best spot to bring a kayak in and camp if you are planning to climb Mt Ida. You can see it very clearly on Google Earth. It's a little shallow and protected sandy beach; very nice, in fact. The route up Ida isn't hard and it is quite obvious from that beach: it's the prominent spur immediately east of the little beach and you will find cairns higher up. I forget how long we took; it wasn't long though I think that we idled away the day getting back around mid afternoon. We kayaked over to the western side the next morning while the lake was calm and then climbed Olympus. Don't get caught on the eastern side of the lake if it is blowing strongly from the north west through to the south west. There are no easy get outs on the eastern shore until you are well down the lake and almost ducking around the point directly opposite the old pump house and even then it will still be a rough paddle across to the boat ramp as you will be fairly exposed in all directions. It can be very lumpy and not much fun. On the eastern shore, the larger bay immediately north of the little protected beach at 55G 429860.23 m E 5346553.98 m S is marginal and to be avoided. It's very shallow, not particularly attractive and lacking in any decent tent sites at all. It's the more obvious bay when viewed from Echo Point, but the small bay at 55G 429860.23 m E 5346553.98 m S, which is well hidden until you are almost upon it, is far superior, being very protected from the south west right through to the south east and only exposd to a direct southerly. There are some small 'peaceful' tent sites in amongst the shrubbery above the sandy beach, or you could camp on the beach itself. Enjoy the paddle & the climb.

rucksack

[Tassie tyger]

Thanks rucksack, greatly appreciate the detailed info, especially the coordinates. Wind is certainly not my favourite of the weather patterns so will be sure to change plans depending on the lakes temperament.

Hoping for a clear view, I'm sure it will be an impressive view from up high there.

Thanks again

[alex75]

A mate did this a few years back and camped on the beach. He said it was a tranquil spot supporting a healthy & prolific tiger snake community around the beach as I recall

[Tassie tyger]

Yikes! Oh well, at least I won't be lonely