Overnight Walks for Little People and Their Pack Mules

[the_camera_poser]

With the completion of our gear collection, it's time to think of all the spots we'll be using it all. Here's my updated list of spots I'd like to try out with the family before we hit the harder stuff. Please feel free to comment or add!

Overnight Hikes for this Year

1) Lee’s Paddocks (3 Season) (1+ night)

2) Scott Kilvert Hut (3 Season) (1+ night)

3) Cockle Creek (Summer) (1+ night)

4) Ironstone Hut (Summer) (1+night)

5) Walls of Jerusalem Base-camp Hike (Summer) (2-3 nights)

6) Lady Lake (1 night) (Summer)

7) Lake Wills (1 night) (Summer)

8 ) Douglas-Aspley NP (1 night) (all year)

9) Pelion Gap Hike (2-3 nights) (Summer)

10) Tasman NP (all year)

11) BP Scout Hut (1 night) (All year)

12) Freycinet NP (1+ night) (All Year)

13) Pine Valley (Summer)

14) Narcissus Hut- Echo Hut Track (Ferry return) (3 season)

15) Lake Nicholls- Mt Field NP (3 season)

16) Narwantapu (overnight at the campground)

17) Grail Falls (WOJ)


(edited to add Dee's suggestion)

[dee_legg]

Pine Valley isn't here?? Something seriously wrong with that. Wonderful place.. the hut is tucked away in beautiful forest and has lots of surrounding campsites and the helipad offers great views of the Acropolis and other surrounding mountains. Good base camp for day trips to the Labyrinth or the Acropolis.. not sure how suitable that would be for the young one though, but i haven't done it so i don't really know but i think theres some scrambling involved.
Freycinet is a lovely area in winter when you won't see many people with only two big uphills over the Hazards then up to Mt Graham if you do the circuit... but well worth the pain for the views and the great coastal forests you walk through. Although the water is very poor at the south end of Wineglass it's still one of my favourite campsites.
Gosh all this talking about walking and doing none is making me go insane.

[the_camera_poser]

Pine Valley isn't here?? Something seriously wrong with that. Wonderful place.. the hut is tucked away in beautiful forest and has lots of surrounding campsites and the helipad offers great views of the Acropolis and other surrounding mountains. Good base camp for day trips to the Labyrinth or the Acropolis.. not sure how suitable that would be for the young one though, but i haven't done it so i don't really know but i think theres some scrambling involved.
Freycinet is a lovely area in winter when you won't see many people with only two big uphills over the Hazards then up to Mt Graham if you do the circuit... but well worth the pain for the views and the great coastal forests you walk through. Although the water is very poor at the south end of Wineglass it's still one of my favourite campsites.
Gosh all this talking about walking and doing none is making me go insane.

Pine Valley added ! Thanks!

[Ent]

Hi T-C-P

Hate to be a bringer of doom but Cradle at just about any time of the year is potentially four season within an hour or two. The reason for the Scott/Kilvert Hut and its name was for the people that died of exposure in that area. Hansons Peak was named after the younger prospector that died of exposure. I have walked up Marions into a fierce hall storm and the next day come over Hansons Peak worrying about heat exhaustion and bad sunburn. I would rule out Lake Rodway especially for the young hikers manly due to the chain climb up Hansons Peak unless they are happy with heights and more important not overly confident. Dodging around via Lake Hanson is an option but then you still have a climb up to Twisted Lakes which is not easy plus depending on the planking the water across the track is above boot height in places.

The reason I am very cautious is I took a person not use to bushwalking that way and as stressful it was on them it was much worse for me We had proper gear and assuming flat land could be found (not a common thing on the climbs) could have bunkered down but I will never make the assumption that Scott/Killvert is an easy walk for many people. For active twelve year olds equipped for four seasons it would be a great outing.

I hope others with a child of your's age will have a look at your list and make comments but it is not a good feeling to find that your companions are averaging 1 kilometre and hour and getting slower the further in.

Cheers Brett

[Clownfish]

depending on the planking

There's planking?

I took my boys to Scott Kilvert via Lake Hanson & Twisted Lakes early this year, and it was reasonably heavy going. Hate to think what it would be like after all this rain ...

[Ent]

depending on the planking

There's planking?

I took my boys to Scott Kilvert via Lake Hanson & Twisted Lakes early this year, and it was reasonably heavy going. Hate to think what it would be like after all this rain ...

Um? about a year or was it longer there was a sort of bridge over mud and water which was the track but it was looking pretty average even then and it was dry (by Cradle standards). If it was not there or underwater then that would come as no surprise. But good update. How old were the intrepid hikers?

[rabbit]

When we headed up hansons peak a month ago there was NO chain at all

Ryan

[corvus]

When we headed up hansons peak a month ago there was NO chain at all

Ryan

G'day rabbit ,
Did you ask at the Visitors Centre about the lack of chain on Hansons ? were the stanchions still in place ?
Lack of chain on this track will make it very difficult for many including me
c

[the_camera_poser]

I'd be more inclined to approach Scott Kilvert from Marions or the Scout Hut/Horse Trail. She's done the Marion's Lookout walk no worries, and there's a couple of duck-out spots there, including Kitchen Hut, and plenty of places to take emergency refuge in a tent.

I'm not completely inexperienced you know- I've hiked heaps in the US, and a fair bit in the Aussie Alps. You get the same foul weather there as here, just here you don't have the horrific lightning storms, and your major tracks are a bit better marked. I've experienced some pretty wild and wooly conditions in the Aussie Alps.

[Ent]

I'd be more inclined to approach Scott Kilvert from Marions or the Scout Hut/Horse Trail. She's done the Marion's Lookout walk no worries, and there's a couple of duck-out spots there, including Kitchen Hut, and plenty of places to take emergency refuge in a tent.

What route would you take getting from Kitchen Hut to Lake Rodway and the distance this would entail?

I'm not completely inexperienced you know- I've hiked heaps in the US, and a fair bit in the Aussie Alps. You get the same foul weather there as here, just here you don't have the horrific lightning storms, and your major tracks are a bit better marked. I've experienced some pretty wild and wooly conditions in the Aussie Alps.

Sorry did not mean to imply that but I still hold by the view that Cradle is four season especially on an overnight walk regardless the time of year. The trap with Tassie is our climate can be quite mild and then one day smack you straight between the eyes. Also I am rather wary based on my own experience with a person that is new to bushwalking so hence the caution and I apologise if that appears rather over the top.

Cheers Brett

[corvus]

I'd be more inclined to approach Scott Kilvert from Marions or the Scout Hut/Horse Trail. She's done the Marion's Lookout walk no worries, and there's a couple of duck-out spots there, including Kitchen Hut, and plenty of places to take emergency refuge in a tent.

I'm not completely inexperienced you know- I've hiked heaps in the US, and a fair bit in the Aussie Alps. You get the same foul weather there as here, just here you don't have the horrific lightning storms, and your major tracks are a bit better marked. I've experienced some pretty wild and wooly conditions in the Aussie Alps.

Gday t_c_p,
Fairly long (and a bit difficult on the Face Track) approach to Scott Kilvert via Marions or the Horse Track my suggestion is via Ballroom forest up past Lake Wilks and a much shorter traverse of the "face track"and if you want to check it out prior to taking the family, BWT Strollers are doing it in Sept,check out the meet up tool.
c

[the_camera_poser]

I've done that one- I'm not sure how she'd go up that track. I had thought of the route up Marion's, which she can easily do, then down the OT to the Lake Rodway track, and back to Scott Kilvert. You guys must have thought I meant to take her on the Face Track- there's no way she's ready for that.

She's good for about 10km in a day- she walks 4km 3 times a week now. That's a walk I'd be tempted to do with me carrying all her gear, to lighten the load on her. But she's quite the mountain goat. Definitely one for next year though. It'd be the extreme of what I'd do with her for a while though, and not until we'd done plenty of other, shorter hikes.

[the_camera_poser]

lol- you guys must have thought I was nuts! LOL

[north-north-west]

You're a Yank. Same thing.

[the_camera_poser]

Hmmm.....good point. My beloved spouse is an Aussie, so we kind of balance out, in a lop-sided kind of way.

[corvus]

You're a Yank. Same thing.

scavenger you are being naughty again.

[north-north-west]

I'm always 'naughty'.
And if the Seppo doesn't mind, it's none of your business.

[geoskid]

I'm always 'naughty'.
And if the Seppo doesn't mind, it's none of your business.

..You.. ..go.. ..girl..

[corvus]

I'm always 'naughty'.
And if the Seppo doesn't mind, it's none of your business.

You do know what happens to naughty girls ,they get sent to bed early with no supper

[Nuts]

lol- you guys must have thought I was nuts! LOL

Hey........

[Clownfish]

How old were the intrepid hikers?

10 & 13 at the time - I posted a short video in the Gallery: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1683

I certainly don't recall any bridges, just the odd planks that were half-sunk in the mud and water. The track was a bit overgrown in places, too.

[Ent]

Content removed by poster

[geoskid]

Here's my updated list of spots I'd like to try out with the family before we hit the harder stuff.

There's actually quite a lot when they are listed. Recently took my youngest (6) to Narawntapu NP for his 1st overnighter, great after dark for wildlife watching, lovely easy coastal walking - great all year.

Also , Lady lake would be a good winter walk for young'uns, as would Lees Paddocks. Once your there and set up you can do as much or as little walking as you want.
I have a ten yr old as well, and whilst I would be happy to take him on any walks on the list (perhaps a couple not in winter), my six year old needs building up to the harder ones - and soo looking forward to it!

[the_camera_poser]

Did you camp in a campground or in the bush at Narwantapu Geo?

[corvus]

We did the Coastal Traverse from Badger Head to Narwantapu as an easy summer Strollers walk elected to camp near the amenities and we had a ball fantastic spot for both young and old.
c

[geoskid]

We did the Coastal Traverse from Badger Head to Narwantapu as an easy summer Strollers walk elected to camp near the amenities and we had a ball fantastic spot for both young and old.
c

That walk was with Liam (10) Early Feb? - Took Jack (6) on Sat just gone - keep up Gerry

Did you camp in a campground or in the bush at Narwantapu Geo?

Had a reply all typed up and have obviously sent it down a black hole -or timed out
We camped at Bakers Point and did some short walks, had a fire - bonded - you know. We arrived late (mid afternoon) due to morning sport. After waking him up on arrival at the Park, I decided he'd already had a big day and chose the Bakers Point option. Probably just as well, as whilst paying the camping fee the Ranger told me my original plan was 'not encouraged'
Still, we had a ball - and now he knows how to pitch the Minaret and make cup of oats - next time
Geoskid

[corvus]

We did the Coastal Traverse from Badger Head to Narwantapu as an easy summer Strollers walk elected to camp near the amenities and we had a ball fantastic spot for both young and old.
c

That walk was with Liam (10) Early Feb? - Took Jack (6) on Sat just gone - keep up Gerry


Geoskid

Mark,

Notice I said easy summer walk!! so it was obvious to me that you meant an additional one with your youngest "Stroller" recently I should have omitted the We in my post so as not to confuse and or imply that you and Miniskid were the culprits on that other really nice Stroll bring on the next one with our junior "Strollers" what about Lees with Liam later in the year.
C

[geoskid]

Notice I said easy summer walk!!

Ah, yes- sorry Gerry, I thought that....you thought that....never mind!

bring on the next one with our junior "Strollers" what about Lees with Liam later in the year.
C

Sounds good, I was thinking about Wadleys and fishing in the Sept School Holidays

[corvus]

Mate you have got me ,midweek I hope
Gerry

[corvus]

Notice I said easy summer walk!!

Ah, yes- sorry Gerry, I thought that....you thought that....never mind!

bring on the next one with our junior "Strollers" what about Lees with Liam later in the year.
C

Sounds good, I was thinking about Wadleys and fishing in the Sept School Holidays

G'day Mark ,
Do you think Jack could manage this about 10km (no pack of course ) and it would be a good long walk for Liam (he would cruise it in tell him Corvus said ) I can show him another type of "cave" , when are the Holidays as I need to go West for my No 1 sons birthday ,can we coordinate this please as I would like to do both .
Gerry