Bushwalk Australia

This weekend I headed out to the Upper Howqua area to do another of the walks from 'Bushwalks in the Australian Alps' (The last one was Moroka Gorge - see the post here). This was Walk 26.

A few comments:

• There are 5-6 fords to do in the first 4km of the track - if you're in the dry-boots brigade, be prepared for spending a fair amount of time getting your boots on/off.
• Lots of snakes in the lower parts of the trail.
• The track near Stanley Name Spur is very littered with fallen trees and is a bit slow going.
• The track up to Queens Spur is overgrown and/or non-existent - it's basically a bush bash with a frequent check on the GPS. (Snakes and bushbashing - I gotta get myself some gaiters)

I didn't actually get to Mt Speculation, which is the recommended camp spot as, after delays due to fords, snakes, trees and no-track, I ran out of daylight and spent the night on Mt Buggery. Was a bit breezy overnight - will have to work on the configuration of my tarp.

The rest of the walk - to Mt Howitt via the Crosscut Saw, then back to the start - includes sections of the AAWT, with stunning vistas across the surrounding high country.

If it was breezy on Buggery it would have been worse on Speculation, although you can drop down past the summit and get a little shelter if you don't mind missing the best of the views.
Yer, it's a nice little walk, apart from the ruddy leeches at King River headwaters . . .

Did you use the bridge over the . . . err, third (I think) crossing? Neat, eh?

Hi NNW

No leeches, thankfully.

Don't recall a usable bridge. Wish I'd seen it - would've saved me one session of boots off/on.

A bit disappointed I didn't get to Mt Spec. Will have another go soon, but coming from the north.

Cheers

Was up there a couple of weeks ago and never got any views at all. I suspect a few bridges were washed away about six weeks ago. Agree with the snacks, everywhere!

Hi Mitch

From another thread I have found out that it was Copperheads that I saw up there. Same for you?

I have done a blog with more details and pics of the trip I did to this area in February. You will find it here.

Fords?!

Bring back the dought! ;-}

Even at the height of the drought the crossings were ankle deep or more. Butt here are only four or five of them and one did have a nice little bridge, even if it was a trifle lopsided . . . it's great on a summer arvo after you've come down from up top.