Bushwalk Australia

Hi,
I was planning to take a friend on their first hike/camping trip this weekend up to Mt Howitt, Vallejo Hut and crosscut saw and checked the road closure list.

Map 35C: Alpine National Park (South West) - https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/documents/get-into-nature/safety-in-nature/seasonal-road-closures-2020/src2020-map-35c.pdf?la=en&hash=4DB705BD5F9A33C7DF90EE6B82EACD9ACE50981F

seems to indicate the Howitt Road is closed until end of month? There are alternate routes but I recall some of the roads behind Kelly Lane being a bit hairy and I've only got a Subaru Forrester.

Can I take an alternate route or is it still possible to go via Howitt Road?

Thanks!

I have driven to the Howitt car park in my Forester on a few occasions without incident including in 150mm of snow.

Thanks for reply Mark. I've actually been up there with my old Nissan Pulsar

I know I can get there via Howitt Road, it's a question of whether it is actually open. The map I linked to seems to indicate part of it is still closed (near Kelly's lane).

ErichFromm wrote:Thanks for reply Mark. I've actually been up there with my old Nissan Pulsar

I know I can get there via Howitt Road, it's a question of whether it is actually open. The map I linked to seems to indicate part of it is still closed (near Kelly's lane).

Can you give Parks a ring? Howitt Rd is usually open end of October. Maybe somebody has gotten a bit excited with the Sharpie and coloured in part of Howitt Road, when it should only be Kelly's Lane.

[EDITED] Pic of where Kelly's Lane runs close to Howitt road, and that might be why it looks like Howitt road is closed.

That pink line is definitely Kelly Lane, not any part of the Howitt Rd.

Thanks everyone. I'll call tomorrow - but makes sense it is just Kelly's Lane. Will give it a shot

Hell of a trip for a first hike.

It was a hell of a trip - she loved it

In case anyone was interested: we waited 45 minutes but couldn't get through to Parks Vic so just went. Turns out Kelly's lane was open up to the little bridge that crosses the creek. There were only 2 other campers there - so a very quiet trip.

I spoke to the ranger and they were surprised so few people were up there.... so I guess we were lucky.

What's the road like up to the carpark for Vallejo Gantner hut?
I think I might see if I can go up there soon one weekend.

The road is as good as it's ever been - a couple rough bits but still passable by 2WD. There was a VW Golf at the carpark for Vallejo hut.

My friend and his daughter did a side trip from Mt. Howitt to Mac. Springs on Sunday Nov. 15th 2020 and said that the camp site area there was not that busy . We were walking from Hellfire creek saddle to The Crosscut saw/ Stanley name spur track that day.