suggested day walks from scout lodge?

[Deb]

I would be intereseted in suggestions regarding the best day walks to complete at Cradle Mountain using Scout Lodge as a base.
Thanks,
Deb

[Son of a Beach]

Cradle mtn summit (only if the weather is favourable!).

[the_camera_poser]

I'll let you know on Tueday- we've got it booked for tommorrow and Monday night. Anything else you want to know?

[corvus]

I would be intereseted in suggestions regarding the best day walks to complete at Cradle Mountain using Scout Lodge as a base.
Thanks,
Deb

The traditional circuit walk -from the lodge up the Horse track to Crater peak then on through Marigold Valley to the Marions lookout junction head down Cradle plateau over Marions down to Crater Lake past Crater Falls down to the Horse track junction and back up to the Lodge .
That will give you a really good feel for the area and afford many good photo opportunities.
c

[Deb]

Hi again,
Thanks so much for your speedy replies once again.
After abandoning the idea of Lee's Paddocks we have a tentative booking at Scout Lodge later this week - depending on whether or not they get a key returned in time for us (fingers crossed as it sounds like just what we are looking for). I didn't realise I could book Scout Lodge until browsing this forum -it's amazing what you find out when you look for it!

Corvus - how long should we allow for the walk you have suggested? I am thinking that sounds like a good option on the day we arrive if we get ourselves to Cradle early. We only have one night at the hut and would prefer to do our main walk on our arrival day if we can leave our larger packs at the lodge and only carry daypacks on our walk. I think the weather is meant to improve over the next few days. We've done several day walks at Cradle over the years, so I have a bit of an idea of the area you have mentioned, but just wanted to get my bearings from the lodge and choose the best way to go without backtracking too much - your info has been a big help.

Thanks,
Deb

[corvus]

Sorry Deb I cannot give exact times as I have no idea as to how fast your group walk however I would allow the full day and I suspect if you are only having one night at the Lodge a walk to Kitchen Hut via Crater Peak , Marigold Valley and back will see the day out for you as it will take the least fittest of your group around 45 /50 mins from Ronnie Creek to the Lodge for starters.
c

[the_camera_poser]

We just got back from the Scout Lodge- it was awesome, but don't count on getting up onto the Plateau. We saw group after group coming down from there over the last three days, stymied by the waste-deep snow. Actually, we had a spot of trouble getting into the hut- when we walked in on Sunday there was waist-deep snow in spots and it was difficult to tell where the path to the hut was. I stomped out a good track for my daughter to use, so you'll see it now no worries.

The best walks I could recommend based on what we saw would be up to Crater Lake and the boat house, over to Lake Lilla and back, Dove Lake, or some of the walks around the visitor centre.

Also, beware the bog at the junction of the Horse Track. She's deep......... knee deep on me (6 foot) or more......LOL

We were planning on doing some walks based from the hut, but to be honest, we really enjoyed just sitting on the porch and looking out the windows. Watch out for the big chocolate possum- he's a bit too friendly, but really lovely.

Also, there's plenty of pots and pans, utensils etc so don't worry about taking cooking stuff with you.

Enjoy!

[corvus]

t_c_p ,
So glad you and yours enjoyed The Scout Hut , just shows what dedicated volunteers can do to maintain a facility like this .
The first weekend of Sept School holidays was the one I used to take my Scouts up there and we rarely experienced that amount of snow in the 17 odd years we made the trip however in my Acting Hut Warden(since retired) stints I have needed to snow shoe to even get up to the Lodge on at least a couple of occasions.
I recommend this facility to anyone wanting a to experience a quality couple of days/nights at Cradle for such a small cost.
corvus

[the_camera_poser]

As a first overnight-bushwalking experience for Laura it was excellent. She's now all excited about the next trip, which she has declared to be the beach. Looks like Freycinet/Wineglass Bay next week.

I'll post some photos in the gallery when I've got them processed.

[Deb]

Hi there,
Glad you enjoyed your trip. We are looking forward to our trip in tomorrow for 2 nights at the Scout Lodge. What a fantastic bunch of people who maintain the lodge and booking arrangements - Richard personally delivered the key to our house today to make sure were able to go in with such a short notice booking - now that's service! We'll look out for the possum! Hope there is still some snow left for us to enjoy - sounds like there is plenty about.
Will let you know how we get on.
Cheers,
Deb

[Deb]

Got back today from our 2 night stay at Scout Lodge. Yesterday's weather was the best you could ever hope for - brilliant blue sky and not a cloud to be seen. We walked up to Crater Peak, Kitchen Hut and back via Marion's and Crater Lake. Quite deep snow in places but beautiful conditions to be walking in. The hardest part of the day was the trek back up to the lodge at the end of our walk! Can't believe how lucky we were to have such perfect weather.
Cheers,
Deb

[corvus]

Got back today from our 2 night stay at Scout Lodge. Yesterday's weather was the best you could ever hope for - brilliant blue sky and not a cloud to be seen. We walked up to Crater Peak, Kitchen Hut and back via Marion's and Crater Lake. Quite deep snow in places but beautiful conditions to be walking in. The hardest part of the day was the trek back up to the lodge at the end of our walk! Can't believe how lucky we were to have such perfect weather.
Cheers,
Deb

Deb ,
So glad you were able to do the Classic circuit walk from "The Lodge" and that the weather was so kind to you.
I have a BWT Strollers booking for 27/28/ o/night out Sun 29 Nov if your group want to do it again.
c

[the_camera_poser]

wow- that's gorgeous! It's great you were able to get out onto the snow like that- we weren't able to get onto the plateau- the snow was too soft. Even Laura was sinking up to her thighs in it, and she's only 5. Awesome! And to think my wife wanted me to make our booking later in this week- LOL