Old Farmhouse Creek Track?

[mjdalessa]

Just wondering if anyone has walked or walked parts of the pre 1991 alignment of the Farmhouse Creek track recently? What were the conditions like? Was it easy to find the start of? What landmarks should I look for? I am walking the section from the Federation side towards Craycroft Junction, but not all the way. and no, this is not to access certain sensitive areas on the carpark end of this track.

Thanks in advance.

[Azza]

Was it easy to find the start of?

Yes.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Was it easy to find the start of?

Yes.

MJD and I couldnt find it when we were there 2 years ago. Parks have done a great job hiding it.

[Azza]

Well, to clarify its obvious where it starts from. just whether there is actually anything left that resembles a track is a different matter.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Yeh that's probably more like it. We knew roughly where it was (he'd been down it years before) but saw no signs of it.

[mjdalessa]

What should I look for Azza? Can I expect much in the way of scrub if I can't find the track?

[ILUVSWTAS]

What should I look for Azza? Can I expect much in the way of scrub if I can't find the track?

Yeh Azza, what's the track like?

[wander]

Any chance of posting up a map of where you are talking about? I've been a little that way inc off trackish and maybe able to comment, but I can only think in pictures.

[mjdalessa]

Here we go Wander. I am planning to use the section required to get up onto Lancaster Lead. May not be such a good idea with all this rain though...

Will I have scrub problems if I can't find any traces at all and have to walk off track the entire way?

[tas-man]

Noticing "Lancaster Lead" on your map, I dug out my digital copy of LWC's Skyline Magazine No. 1 which contains Keith Lancaster's account of his ascent of Federation Peak in 1949. He drew a very detailed map of his trip route and it covers part of the track you are referring to, so might be of more than just historical interest. Click on the map and then zoom in to see the detail.

[Azza]

What should I look for Azza? Can I expect much in the way of scrub if I can't find the track?

Sorry for being too subtle...

Say you were to look at the alignment of the old track compared to the new track particular around the south picton saddle..
Its clear where it starts...

Whether you can actually find and follow it is another matter. I would say it would be getting fairly overgrown.
A friend accidentally stumbled down it many years ago rather than following the new route.

I would think you'd be better following the new track as far as possible to access Houptoun and avoid several potentially dangerous river crossings.

I'd also say its probably a bit foolish to be attempting it this weekend with the current forecast.
Those rivers know how to flood.....

[mjdalessa]

Exactly my thoughts Azza. The intention was to access the old track from the far side to get near the lead, but the weather looks like it could turn any attempt into a disaster...

[mjdalessa]

Could some of the older members of this site share some recollections of Willsmicro Lead? Has anyone been down there recently? Looks quite 'green' on Google Earth.