4Days 3 Nights Around Cradle Mountain.

[Genesis]

G'day All,

I am looking for a 4 day peak bagging walk, I have initially thought around Cradle mountain,something like:

1. Ronny - Waterfall Valley (Peak Cradle)
2. Waterfall - Lake Rodway (Peak Barn Bluff)
3. Rodway - Lake Hanson
4. Lake Hanson - Dove Lake (Peak Hanson)

What are the rules about camping around the Lake Hanson area? is it allowed ?

Thanks in advance

[Nuts]

Hi Genesis,

You'll get a mixed response down in Waterfall Valley and camping in the day walk area is also discouraged.
Hansons Peak wont take any additional time. You could consider doing all from/to Scott-Kilvert Hut or the Rodway campsite...

I know it means climbing from SKH again, it's not a lot further than from WFV.. and nice camping down there.
Usually i'd head straight to SKH, even carrying a pack over Hanson's Pk is easier than into WFV. The downhill part at least.
Little Rodway & Mt Emmett are good diversions carrying a day pack.

[Genesis]

Thanks nuts,

A Base at SKH/Rodway and day walking the peaks sounds like a great idea!
I was also thinking of doing the Cathedral circuit but I am not sure when access will be restored to the Walls area.

Genesis

[benoloughlin]

Hi Genesis
Camping anywhere in the day walk area is strictly forbidden.
Being so close to the Scott Kilvert Hut and Waterfall Valley Hut I recommend you stay there.
If you left early from Ronny Creek you could do Cradle Summit and Barn Bluff in the same day. Pick your day/time of year and that is difficult particularly this time of year as the weather is so fickle.
Over the last week we've had more snow, snow showers above 1000m forecast for today. I don't recommend anyone make an ascent in this weather as above 1380m on Cradle the tallus contains lots of car-sized boulders and when dolerite gets wet or icy it becomes extremely treacherous.

Another option is to do all of the Overland Track from the north and do Cradle, Barn Bluff, Mt Oakleigh, East Pelion and Mt Ossa, or get the ferry from Lake St Clair and walk into Pine Valley Hut and climb the Acropolis. Not as many peaks but the Pine Valley and the Labyrinth is sublime and the the Acropolis is probably the hardest peak proximate to the Overland Track.
All the best,
Ben

[devoswitch]

Apologise in advance for hijacking the thread OP but if I was to go into Pine valley just to spend a few days in the area and climb some of the peaks, is there good camping spots to put a tent up for 4 days or so? Not the biggest fan of huts...

[Nuts]

Great camping around Pine Valley Hut, lots of random primitive campsites. Be careful if there is a lot of rain around, lower sites can flood.

[Nuts]

I was also thinking of doing the Cathedral circuit but I am not sure when access will be restored to the Walls area.

Genesis

I asked on behalf of some independent walkers (for access) and didn't have any luck but more recently another forum member has had discussions indicating it might be worth trying again (Forestry Tas NE Regional stakeholder manager)? Both outstanding loop walks

[devoswitch]

Thanks Nuts. Do you think it'd be fairly safe to leave my gear there while I do some day walks around the place?

[Genesis]

Great camping around Pine Valley Hut, lots of random primitive campsites. Be careful if there is a lot of rain around, lower sites can flood.

I agree,

I went up there last year as an addition to my first overland track walk, I adore Pine valley. The beauty of the lakes and tarns with the surrounding peaks it is a special place.
This was on my short list as was frenchmans as I really need to have a common start/finish spot.

Genesis

[Nuts]

Yeah, PV is the easier to organise of them. Bit expensive if stung for the full ferry fare for quick access but= limited heavy pack hauling.
I'v'e not heard of gear going missing in there (doubt it would be an issue). The local track ranger will have a better idea.