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Water Bogong area (recent)

PostPosted: Tue 22 Mar, 2016 8:43 pm
by Dutchy
Hi all,
Hoping to head off to Bogong this Easter. Trying to piece together the route we're wondering what the water situation is like. I know there were some recent heavy falls so hopefully creeks are reliable again.
Trying to find out if the source at Cleve Cole hut is reliable or Howman Falls, Bogong Creek Falls (any camp spots there?), and if the high plains near Spion Kopje have water.

Thanks!

Re: Water Bogong area (recent)

PostPosted: Wed 23 Mar, 2016 7:28 am
by Lophophaps
Dutchy, the creek at Cleve Cole should be running all year, and if not, just go down the valley a short way. This creek feeds Howmans Falls, and they always run. There's a small camp site at the top of T Spur, metres from a creek. I don't know about Bogong Creek. There's heaps of water and quite a few camp sites around Spion Kopje and points east. I've camped just below the ridge at Warby Corner and above Whiterock Falls. The latter is quite pleasant under the snow gums. Even in the driest summers I've never been more than a few hours from water on the high plains. However, you should carry enough water capacity to camp a few hundred metres from water; it's a pain to make many journeys.

Re: Water Bogong area (recent)

PostPosted: Wed 23 Mar, 2016 8:43 am
by Dutchy
Thanks! Walking the bluff the other week we carried 9 Lt between us and if sources are reliable we can reduce that a little. I've planned the trip so we camp near water every night to prevent the need to carry cooking water. So if anyone knows about Bogong Creek Falls (water and camp) let me know and we should be pretty good!

Re: Water Bogong area (recent)

PostPosted: Wed 23 Mar, 2016 8:46 am
by north-north-west
Bogong Creek is as reliable as the creek that feeds Howmans albeit a bit smaller.

Big River starts not that far along the track from Spion Kopje, so water there isn't an issue. Also a great area to camp.

Re: Water Bogong area (recent)

PostPosted: Wed 23 Mar, 2016 9:31 am
by Lophophaps
Dutchy, I forgot to ask if you could post your proposed route and campsites. This will allow a better assessment.

Re: Water Bogong area (recent)

PostPosted: Wed 23 Mar, 2016 12:42 pm
by paidal_chalne_vala
We were up on the High Plains and Mt. Bogong area on 12,13,14/3/16.
There is water at The stream behind Roper's hut, as well as in Big River, the stream at the top of the T spur and in the stream just near CC hut.
In Fact that worked out well because I had run out of water by the time I got to the top of T spur. T is for torture!

Re: Water Bogong area (recent)

PostPosted: Wed 23 Mar, 2016 3:54 pm
by Lophophaps
I like T Spur, good gradient most of the way, easing off to a beautiful flat section just before the nice creek at the top. Staircase is my enemy, do not like, bad karma, bigness of climb and steepness for lungs and knees. The soak at the top of Staircase has always been running, if marginal at times.

Re: Water Bogong area (recent)

PostPosted: Wed 23 Mar, 2016 7:54 pm
by Dutchy
T Spur can hardly be worse than 8 mile spur!

Watchbed creek trailhead to Big River (about 14 km)

Big River to Bogong Creek Falls (about 15 km, 1000m elevation gain)

Bogong creek to Spion kopje area (about 14 km)

Spion Kopje to trailhead (12 km)

Re: Water Bogong area (recent)

PostPosted: Thu 24 Mar, 2016 1:43 pm
by Mr Bean
Was up at Bogong on 12-14 March and the water at Cleve Cole was flowing. The huts at Staircase and Eskdale had water in the tanks. Water at Mountain Creek was flowing well. Didn't check the spring at the top of Staircase, as was told by someone up there that it wasn't really flowing.

Re: Water Bogong area (recent)

PostPosted: Thu 24 Mar, 2016 6:25 pm
by slparker
The soak below the summit, south side over the ridge from the staircase spur track, had clear pools of water 2 weeks ago.

Re: Water Bogong area (recent)

PostPosted: Sat 02 Apr, 2016 8:37 am
by Dutchy
The creek at the bottom of Hooker Plateau (under Quartz Knob, great spot to camp) has water, Bogong Creek has water (not flowing heaps though, but should be reliable with current conditions), the creek at the top of T spur, Cleve Cole Hut has water, Roper has water and plenty on the area near Spion Kopje!