Cross Cut Saw

[wildernesswanderer]

Hi all,

I'm heading up to this area in December with a few friends and was wondering if someone could just shed some light on a couple of things. We are going though Licola to Macalister Springs. Then across from there to Speculation. Should be easy enough, but we do have a couple of first time hikers and not sure how easy, hard, dangerous etc etc the track is.

So a couple of questions

1. Is the track well marked or will I need to rely more on my map and compass and GPS.
2. On a difficulty rating how would you describe it.
3. I've heard the water at the springs needs to be filtered or boiled, whats the water like at the other end, near Mt Speculation?
4. Any other tips or pointers you can suggest to us

Thanks

[gmac]

Been a 18 months or so since I was last there. The only bit I haven't walked is btn where the Stanley named spur track comes up and Mt Buggery. The other sections were well defined and easy to follow there are a couple of rocky scrambles (not all that difficult) as you near the summiy of Mt Spec. Probably rate track at about 2.5 out of 5 - But great views - In good weather.

I found water at both ends ok without treatment - but that was then.

Will try and load some pics of track sections etc for you when I get a chance.

Regards

[Isis]

Water at the back of Speculation is fine straight out of the creek. The track is well defined but you should always carry a map and compass with you.

[Tortoise]

not sure how easy, hard, dangerous etc etc the track is.

So a couple of questions

1. Is the track well marked or will I need to rely more on my map and compass and GPS.
2. On a difficulty rating how would you describe it.
3. I've heard the water at the springs needs to be filtered or boiled, whats the water like at the other end, near Mt Speculation?
4. Any other tips or pointers you can suggest to us
Thanks

I'm very out of touch but can't resist visiting one of my favourite places!

1. +1 to always having map & compass. GPS would be helpful in limited visibility, though foot pads were good as long as no snow.

2. Easy in good conditions (though depends on fitness / mindset of beginners). Very exposed means it can be hot++ or freezing / potentially dangerous in bad weather. I'd avoid going across in whiteout / high wind / icy conditions. If the first-timers aren't travelling so well on the very easy walk into Mac Springs, you can always base camp there & go to Mt Spec as a day walk.

3. I would never drink the Mac Springs water without treating it - giardia in the olden days, unlikely to improve at such a popular spot. No probs with Camp Creek at Mt Spec. There was plenty of water there even in a dry year when other creeks on the AAWT were dry / drips

4. Make sure the first timers have adequate gear for worst possible weather. I had people thank me for making them bring it when they didn't believe such cold was possible in summer. It can be hard to convince people to pack thermals, gloves, beanie etc when it's 40+ degrees in Melbourne...

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[madmacca]

The trail is not marked, but fairly well defined through usage. You can't really get lost on CCS itself - the steep drops on either side will soon let you know if you are wandering off trail. But you should still carry a map, as the things can get a bit confusing at the ends at Spec or Howitt in a white-out. And a map allows you to point out all the fantastic names (Mt Despair, Horrible Gap, Mt Buggery, Terrible Hollow).

As others have mentioned, there are a couple of short steep climbs, 2 scrambles at spec, and some rock slabs to negotiate. But very few trees, so no scrub or deadfall to worry about.

Water at Spec is from a spring straight out of the ground - it is reliable and clean (I have drunk it several times untreated without problems). Unfortunately Mac is a popular site, and at any popular site there is always some filthy *&%$#! who contaminates the water - treat it before drinking).

CCS is high (1500-1600 m), and VERY exposed (the prevailing westerly weather gets funnelled up the Howqua Valley, and then has nowhere else to go but howling over the top of CCS). Carry warm clothing and wet weather gear at ALL times. But on a clear day, this is some of the best walking in Victoria. No 4WDs, the views over the Howqua, and across the Wonnangatta to the Viking and further afield to Buller, Buffalo, Feathertop and Bogong are amazing. And I always think there is something a little bit special about walking along the Great Divide - especially when such a sharp ridegline defines which way the water will go.

[ryantmalone]

So a couple of questions

1. Is the track well marked or will I need to rely more on my map and compass and GPS.
2. On a difficulty rating how would you describe it.
3. I've heard the water at the springs needs to be filtered or boiled, whats the water like at the other end, near Mt Speculation?
4. Any other tips or pointers you can suggest to us

Thanks

Last time I was on the Crosscut, the track is very hard to loose. It was well cut, very well defined, and extremely easy to follow.

As for difficulty, it is a yo yo. Its not a long walk from Howitt to Spec, but it is up and down the whole way, and VERY exposed. Its not a hard walk by any means, but by the time that you get to the summit of Spec, you'll be ready to camp.

The water from Mac Springs as far back as I can remember has always required boiling or filtering, however the water at Spec I have never had a problem with. There's never any harm in filtering it though, but from memory, the water is perfectly fine.

As for pointers, wear sunscreen. Its very exposed across the Crosscut, and bring water, as you likely wont have access to water until you reach the Spec campsite. Lastly, the walk back from Spec, I have always found it to be considerably harder, mainly due to the very sharp climb to the top of Buggery from Horrible Gap. This climb has always destroyed me for the rest of the day.

Have fun! The Crosscut Saw is, and always has been my favourite walk!

[gmac]

A couple of pics that I said I would load

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[wildernesswanderer]

Thanks for the info and the photos look great, can't wait to go