Ossa via Maggs Spur Track

[TimG1]

Thought I would add a short report on a recent trip my son and I took recently into climb Ossa via the Maggs Track in early July. With a reasonable long term forecast we left Devonport early on Sunday 1 July heading up the Mersey to the Arm River area. With reports from Forum members we decided to tackle the Maggs Spur track into the Pillinger track before joining up with the Arm River track to walk into New Pelion Hut. Left the car at the end of Maggs Spur at around 10.30am and found the well marked track an easy walk through the rain forest if a little bit of ducking required under branches with our packs.

Waterfall on Maggs Track

Maggs Track near Pillinger Track

The Pillinger track from the Maggs track to Arm River track was fairly well overgrown but once we got to the Arm River track it was easy walking into New Pelion Hut. Got to the Hut about 4pm after a steady walk with a few rest stops. Initially only one solo Overland track walker in the hut overnight until a group that had climbed Ossa returned about 5pm. Got a good update on conditions on Ossa and got an early night but only broken sleep due to a few snorers Got an early start and left Pelion Hut at about 8am under clearing skies with a heavy overnight frost leaving the boardwalk sections very icy. The Overland track was relatively clear of snow until just before Pelion Gap. From Pelion Gap we started climbing Doris through snow which was firm after the overnight frost. The skies were clear with little wind but high mist around Ossa blocked views of the summit.

Ossa through the mist

The sky cleared to allow limited views on the climb up Ossa. The tracks of the walkers the day before made finding the track easier.

Pelion East over Doris

Plenty of snow on the summit plateau made for easy climbing directly to the summit. Visibility had dropped to about 100 metres through the mist and the south westerly winds were very cold. After a short break for photos we returned to the shelter of the eastern side for a break before heading down.

Plenty of snow on the Ossa summit

[TimG1]

Short snow pole or plenty of snow!

Starting the climb down

Had a quick trip down with enough snow for some sliding rather than climbing down Got back to Pelion at around 2 pm for a later lunch and an easy afternoon. A couple more groups turned up with around 10 in the hut overnight. Had a better nights sleep, or just didn't hearing the snorers Awoke to a clear day again for our walk back out to the car.

Mt Oakleigh over Lake Ayr

Mt Pillinger from Arm River Track

Had a quicker trip back down the Maggs Track, about 90 minutes from the Arm River track back to the carpark at the end of Maggs Spur, but probably quicker to use the Arm River track to get to Pelion. Anyway a great couple of days within two hours from home.
Cheers Tim

[tigercat]

Great photos Tim

[cixelsyd]

Great photos Tim

Indeed, great photos. Nice report.

[Overlandman]

Great photos Tim, Certainly looks different with a good snow fall on Ossa & surrounds, I found the Maggs track difficult to find 10 years ago, it took me 6 hrs to walk into Pelion. I have kept to the Arm River track since. Where there any other cars at Maggs car park and did you have a 4x4?
Regards Overlandman

[TimG1]

Hi Overlandman. While I have a 4WD Maggs Spur 17/2 is in good condition and would be passable by 2WD's when I was there. I didn't expect to find any cars at the track end but one other vehicle was parked there overnight. No difficulty finding the track as it has been tagged, recently? As I said the only difficulty was walking with a pack and ducking under trees etc. Probably not the fastest access to Pelion but no major climb required. Good access to climb Pillinger as a day walk.
Cheers Tim

[Nick S]

Nice report Tim, such a different range of environments in a few days!