Overnight Winter Trekking North/Mid-Victoria

[HenryVIIII]

Hi guys

I'm looking for intermediate hikes in northern Vic to gain experience in Winter Trekking. 3 days preferred.

Most of the ones I've looked at are either too far away or are covered in heavy snow during July (such as Falls-Hotham)

Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

[Moondog55]

I can't think of any that are always going to be easy / intermediate because so much depends on the weather.
I am assuming you don't have skis or snowshoes.
Do you have all the other requisite gear?

[HenryVIIII]

Don't worry about weather, if the weather is no good I won't go. Simple.

I'm looking for hikes, so no skis or snow shoes if can be helped. I have or will have the gear I need by July.

[Moondog55]

It isn't that simple or easy Weather can change in 20 minutes and forecasts cannot be guaranteed in the hills

[Xplora]

What sort of winter experience? Just cold or cold and mountains? And what is too far? I see from the NSW thread you are from Griffith. Are the Grampians too far? Possibly a days drive. You could get across to the Brindabellas or even back door into the Blue Mtns. I doubt there will be anything suitable on the Victoria part of the Great Divide.

[HenryVIIII]

If the weather can change drastically with no forecast then I don't count the hikes as easy or intermediate.

Just cold is fine. I was looking for 5 hours drive max as I have limited time. Not really looking for mountains as the ones I've looked at have heavy snow at this time.

I have winter experience in Snowdonia though the tracks were well defined and in Milford though there was little snow but a ton of rain and wind.

[Moondog55]

Snowdonia is mildly cold but think more along the lines of the Cairngorms in terms of the conditions and fickle weather.
When people say winter trekking my thoughts immediatley jump to deep snow and bad weather, although snow and bad weather can happen at any time in the High Country. Goldfeilds tracks around Ballaaratt and Bendigo can be pretty cold in winter but also the New England Ranges in NSW, less chance of snow
there

[HenryVIIII]

Thanks

Actually Grampians might be alright. What are the conditions like there in July? Is the Peaks Trail under snow?

[paidal_chalne_vala]

The Grampians in winter have enough water points to make walking pleasant and for a reduced fire danger.
The negatives include heavy fog, poor visibility of what are some killer views and biting rain and cold. It was once so cold coming down off Mt. William in June one year that I could not make my hands behave so that I could open my car and get inside and warm up.
It can snow on the peaks above 700 -800 M . in Winter in the Grampians. Navigation through fields of rocks in fog, rain and bitterly cold conditions means you need to know what you are doing and have the gear to avoid becoming hypo effing thermic on the first day.
I will be out there in The Grampians on the Long June weekend for my last green season hike before snow shoe fever kicks in
.

Last edited by paidal_chalne_vala on Mon 17 Apr, 2017 7:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[HenryVIIII]

That all sounds fine. I've gone through rocks in heavy rain (20 inches in 1 day) and low visibility before.

Sounds exactly what I'm after. Cold is no problem with the gear I've got.

Thanks for the help!

[paidal_chalne_vala]

The Briggs Bluff hike in camp site in the Northern Grampians has space for 2-3 tents and there is water in the stream there now( June 2017 ).