Solitary Hut Daytrip?

[ryantmalone]

Keeping in line with forum rules, untracked areas and the such, I know how to get to Solitary Hut, however... from someone who has been there, would you say that it is reasonable to expect that on the way out from Wild Dog Creek, that it can be done as a quick return trip from Trappers before heading down, or would you say that would be pushing it a little too much?

I'm somewhat torn between doing a quick return on the way out, or going via the Chapman route from Zion Vale or even from Wild Dog, considering the season, navigation may be a bit iffy though.

Thoughts?

[doogs]

I haven't been to Solitary Mans Hut, but I have been from Trappers Hut to Mt Jerusalem via Zion Vale and there is a well defined pad along there. From the end of George Howes Lake you may pick up a faint pad to Tiger Lake, otherwise it would be a shortish off track walk through mainly forest to get there.

[Stibb]

You should be able to go straight from Wild Dog and then pick up the pad to Trappers on the way out, no? I haven't been there yet but are planning to come in that way after camping by George Howes Lake. Might have a look at the hut too. If you do go that way, I'd appreciate some up to date info.

[ryantmalone]

I haven't been to Solitary Mans Hut, but I have been from Trappers Hut to Mt Jerusalem via Zion Vale and there is a well defined pad along there. From the end of George Howes Lake you may pick up a faint pad to Tiger Lake, otherwise it would be a shortish off track walk through mainly forest to get there.

Yeah, I know of the pads existence, just wasn't too sure of how much scrub was involved, or how slow travel was along that section compared to say, the track heading up to Herods Gate from Trappers. Arranging a ride from the end of the walk, wanted to be sure that leaving around 9 - 10am from Dixons, would give me enough time for either route.

Chapman gives the route in via Trappers and Wild Dog Creek to Dixons around 4.5 hours, and via George Howes and Golden Gate, around 5 hours, however I'm far from the fittest individual on the planet, so would be good to know if those times are about right.

You should be able to go straight from Wild Dog and then pick up the pad to Trappers on the way out, no? I haven't been there yet but are planning to come in that way after camping by George Howes Lake. Might have a look at the hut too. If you do go that way, I'd appreciate some up to date info.

Yeah, cant remember what it was like so much at Wild Dog last time I was there, looked a bit scrubby from memory. I vaguely remember the area looking particularly fragile and boggy, but my memory is a little fuzzy to be honest.

[doogs]

The walking along the pad is very flat for the most part and very easy walking. I did a daywalk up through Zion Gate, traversed Mt Jerusalem, up The Temple, then traversed Solomons Throne, down to Wild Dog Creek and out via Trappers Hut in 8-9 hours. So I'd assume you'd be fairly safe with Chapmans times with a full pack. I did have perfect weather though Here's a pic looking up George Howes Lake..

gh lake.jpg (72.07 KiB) Viewed 6042 times

[ryantmalone]

The walking along the pad is very flat for the most part and very easy walking. I did a daywalk up through Zion Gate, traversed Mt Jerusalem, up The Temple, then traversed Solomons Throne, down to Wild Dog Creek and out via Trappers Hut in 8-9 hours. So I'd assume you'd be fairly safe with Chapmans times with a full pack. I did have perfect weather though Here's a pic looking up George Howes Lake..

gh lake.jpg

Wow that's nice.

Will check out weather on the few days that I'm there and plan from there. My main issue is navigation, being the time of year that it is, if visibility drops, I'd be a little concerned. Although, from what it would seem, the route seems as though it would be pretty obvious even in bad weather.

[Mowser]

Yep, if you head out from the tent platforms at wild dog creek it's an easy detour via solitary to trappers. From George Howes lake to trappers there is a very well defined pad. I head out this way nearly every time i leave the walls. First part isn't well defined but route finding is relatively easy as it is fairly open ground. Makes for a nice return trip as opposed to walking out the same way. Enjoy!

[Hallu]

For having done the day trip to The Temple and back, I'd say that Chapman's times include short breaks, but no lunch break or anything. I'm not a fast individual either, but I don't take long breaks, and my lunch breaks are about 15 min. With that in mind, I did what Chapman said : about 8 hours return (I felt it the next day though). That was with a 4 kg day pack (3/4 being water).

Reading your blog and posts from time to time, and considering you'll be going with a full pack, I think you should add about 15 % to Chapman's times to be safe. In 11 days I may have done about 7 or 8 of his walks, and when I compare my times to his, it varies quite a bit. I took longer for Quamby Bluff and the track to Mt Anne, but not for The Temple or Cape Raoul. I think he's a lot quicker at negotiating boulder fields and scrambling than me, and there was none on the Temple/Raoul tracks (well there is one to go to the Temple, but the stones are so well rearranged into steps that it's an easy climb).

[ryantmalone]

For having done the day trip to The Temple and back, I'd say that Chapman's times include short breaks, but no lunch break or anything. I'm not a fast individual either, but I don't take long breaks, and my lunch breaks are about 15 min. With that in mind, I did what Chapman said : about 8 hours return (I felt it the next day though). That was with a 4 kg day pack (3/4 being water).

Reading your blog and posts from time to time, and considering you'll be going with a full pack, I think you should add about 15 % to Chapman's times to be safe. In 11 days I may have done about 7 or 8 of his walks, and when I compare my times to his, it varies quite a bit. I took longer for Quamby Bluff and the track to Mt Anne, but not for The Temple or Cape Raoul. I think he's a lot quicker at negotiating boulder fields and scrambling than me, and there was none on the Temple/Raoul tracks (well there is one to go to the Temple, but the stones are so well rearranged into steps that it's an easy climb).

I've walked into the walls a handful of times, both in Summer and in Winter (to Wild Dog Creek only though...). Last trip, I made it to the turnoff for the Pool Of Bethesda and turned back because I was silly and left too late in the morning! That took me around 2 and a bit hours to get to that point, however I was 20kg lighter than I am now.

I usually walk fairly fast, but when it comes to uphills, unless I'm getting them done in the morning (when I get most of my energy), I just take my time.

So far though, I'm considering walking in to Dixons for an overnight, climbing Mt Jerusalem after pitching camp. Climbing Solomons, King Davids, and the Temple the next day, and then out via Zion Vale and Solitary the next day. Subject to change of course.

[Hallu]

If you're already climbing Mt Jerusalem, maybe you can skip the Temple, they're on the same side, and I reckon you'd get better views from Mt Jerusalem (or no view at all depending on the weather). Basically from the Temple you get a view of Mt Jerusalem and a distant view of the tarns, although it's probably the best point to look back and see The Walls in their entirety.

Yeah to Bethesda in 2h30 is a good time, it took me 3h I think (I'm no lightweight either).

[ryantmalone]

If you're already climbing Mt Jerusalem, maybe you can skip the Temple, they're on the same side, and I reckon you'd get better views from Mt Jerusalem (or no view at all depending on the weather). Basically from the Temple you get a view of Mt Jerusalem and a distant view of the tarns, although it's probably the best point to look back and see The Walls in their entirety.

I'll see how I go. If I weren't heading to Cradle a few days later, I'd probably spend a whole lot more time there and knock off a few other places that I've been wanting to see.

Must be Fagus season.

[pazzar]

There is a good pad from the hut right out to Trappers Hut. It's a bit boggy by the river,but it didn't take that long, maybe 4 hours to the car from the hut. I went there on my first ever overnight trip and didn't have any issues getting out. We were back home early in the afternoon.

[ryantmalone]

Sounds like the general consensus is that travel through the region between Trappers and Zion Gate is fast. May walk in or out via this route depending on weather

[ryantmalone]

Just back from a few days in the Walls. Made it to Solitary Hut on my first day, hiked in via the cut and extremely well defined walking track to George Howes lake (by my standards anyway), and following one of many pads, doing my best to avoid the sphagnum and cushion plants.

Amazing area, really felt like I was intruding on something that wasn't mine. Rare to see a hut with its history (even if recent history) still so intact.

Ran out of time due to a late start, so made to Wild Dog Creek via the creek. Was nice open country, would go via this route any day over the usual slog. Stunning country.

[Stibb]

Ran out of time due to a late start, so made to Wild Dog Creek via the creek. Was nice open country, would go via this route any day over the usual slog. Stunning country.

Appreciate this piece of info! pics would be nice too..

[ryantmalone]

Ran out of time due to a late start, so made to Wild Dog Creek via the creek. Was nice open country, would go via this route any day over the usual slog. Stunning country.

Appreciate this piece of info! pics would be nice too..

Got some great pics, but these will do for the moment till I can get those up.

This first one is taken from the top of the valley near George Howes and Tiger, looking down at Wild Dog Creek, with Golden Gate dead center. Wild Dog is followed to the right of the photo through the valley for a kilometer or so to the main track and tent platforms.



This next photo is taken in Wild Dog Creek Valley looking up towards King Davids Peak. Shows the typical country that you cross. Rarely any scrub to deal with, keeping reasonably close to the creek.



The whole area up Wild Dog Creek is fairly fragile too, so I wont publish too much more on it but say that it is an easy 30 minute to an hour walk for those who are careful about where they place their feet.

[Stibb]

Thanks! Can't wait to go.

[ryantmalone]

Thanks! Can't wait to go.

No probs!

I'll probably extend it out further next time, and go right through to Dixons Kingdom through Zion Vale. Its all a very pretty area, surprised that its not visited more, although with views like these in the valley opposite, its kind of obvious.