Historical Track - Eagle Creek

[cap_jack]

First established in 1842 by Carter to take Sir John Franklin and Lady Jane to the west. This track was in use about a decade ago when rafters would hike from the Gordon to the Franklin Rivers and then raft out to Sir John Falls. It fell into disuse and became lost to heavy growth. A group of us cleared and tagged it three years ago. Bit patchy in places so you best have some bush sense or the leaches will have you for dinner. Some of the thickest, most luxuriate rainforest crowned by a huge buttongrass plain under the Elliot Ranges. Need a boat ride to Eagle Creek and a packraft to get to Sir John Falls. Contact West Coast Yacht Charters, Trevor Norton. He regularly picks up Franklin River rafters. This is a serious walk requiring good prep, but a magical experience.
I'll add a comment from Shane at Wildaboutoutdoors.com who did the trip last summer.
Hi, It was myself and my partner Noni who hiked the Eagle Creek track with our packrafts. The first part of the track is fine. But once you get to Pig Hill then is becomes a bit more challenging. Fallen trees and losing the track and multiple colored tapes, it took us two days to walk to Flat island 8 kms from the Gordon. Once on the Franklin we inflated our packrafts and paddle for two days back to Sir John falls to be picked up by Trevor. Great little trip, more people should do it, it would open the track up a bit. I hire out packrafts and have a Facebook page Wildaboutpackrafting. Cheers Shane

[Tassiedevil]

Hi, I made a short ten minute video of the Eagle creek track/Franklin/Gordon river trip. No sound ( haven't got that far). Great little trip to taste the Franklin and the history of the area. Not to hard to navigate if you are ok with remote area navigation. More people should do this trip to keep it opened up. I have packrafts if you need to hire them for a few days, just pm me. Here is a link to the video. Cheers Shane. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu2rSM8kIYg

[cap_jack]

goodonya
I'll post the clip on my website. Pls keep me updated. When we open up the Goulds track, we'll be able to trek from Sir John Falls to the Rocky Sprent and then Packraft downstream to the pickup point. We've tagged the first 3km thru frist to buttongrass. More work this summer

[icefest]

That sounds incredible cap jack, I'll look forwards to reading your trip report :p

[north-north-west]

So, an access route to the Elliott Range. Calling all peakbaggers . . . !!!!!!!

[cap_jack]

That sounds incredible cap jack, I'll look forwards to reading your trip report :p

Might take awhile, it is heavy going rainforest with all the hurdles of Bauera and excessive treefall. We'll Keep the board posted.

Last edited by cap_jack on Wed 01 Jul, 2015 8:15 am, edited 1 time in total.

[cap_jack]

So, an access route to the Elliott Range. Calling all peakbaggers . . . !!!!!!!

Not sure what you're on about. Elliott range is not hugely tall, just thick scrub and difficult conditions.

Last edited by cap_jack on Wed 01 Jul, 2015 8:16 am, edited 1 time in total.

[pazzar]

So, an access route to the Elliott Range. Calling all peakbaggers . . . !!!!!!!

Not sure what you're on about. Elliott range is not hugely tall, just thick scrub and difficult conditions.

That's not the point. Elliott Range is a couple of points on a list, that is the main reason for visiting. Oh and some of us just like scrub.......

[north-north-west]

So, an access route to the Elliott Range. Calling all peakbaggers . . . !!!!!!!

Not sure what you're on about. Elliott range is not hugely tall, just thick scrub and difficult conditions.

That's not the point. Elliott Range is a couple of points on a list, that is the main reason for visiting. Oh and some of us just like scrub are masochistic loonies.......

Indeed and fixed.

[cap_jack]

"Elliott Range is a couple of points on a list" What list? Can you point me to it?
The Elloit Range is accessible From the Eagle Creek track. No worries once on top the buttongrass plain, it's right there. There's a VHF repeater at the top. Two good campsites not too far away, and well, plenty of water too.

[pazzar]

This spreadsheet is most peak baggers reference. No shortage of destinations to keep us busy.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ndk55u26ax6yf ... .xlsm?dl=0

[cap_jack]

Thanks, Did not see Mt Misery on the list, though Mt. Nara gets a mention.

One of the best, Mount Sorrel with outstanding views over Macquarie Hbr and southern ocean.
Here's a promo vid - Climbing Sorell is last of four episodes.

https://vimeo.com/107440061