Major Mitchell Plateau as a return walk

[Jennifer]

A couple friends and I are going to the Grampians next weekend and considering the Major Mitchell Plateau walk. It's a Friday night to Sunday afternoon thing, so we don't have time to do the full circuit, we can't do a car shuffle, and they are unlikely to consider hitchhiking. So I'm wondering if the plateau would work as a there-and-back walk, either from Jimmy Creek or Kalymna Falls, spending the night at First Wannon. Would there be any potential difficulty following the trail with either of those routes? I have maps but no GPS unit.

Also, how difficult is it getting up over Boundary Gap? I am OK with heights but not great, and I have bad wrists to boot. As an example I did fine with the Cathedral Ranges Northern Circuit, and would probably be OK with the Southern Circuit from what I've heard (haven't tried yet), but I probably would struggle with anything too much more difficult than that because I can't bear a lot of weight on my wrists.

[peregrinator]

Boundary Gap is not at all difficult, given what you've noted about the Cathedrals. Whatever is wrong with out-and-back walks? You're seeing what was behind you on the way out, plus the weather might be quite different on subsequent days. Beats not going anywhere, that's for sure. The other start / finish point could perhaps be the end of Stockyard Track, near Mafeking. Go on to Mt William, down to the falls, then back up. Whatever route you choose, maps are quite sufficient. What's a GPS unit?

[north-north-west]

The Plateau side of Dirag has a couple of very short and straightforward scrambly bits near the top but otherwise it's an easy enough walk on a good track. Map, compass and due attention should be enough to keep you safe.

[Watertank]

Hi, I did the loop from Sheepyard flat a couple of months ago. One option for you might be to park near the top of mt William - assuming there are no restrictions on doing so - and then walk from there to Wannon. It will give you magnificent views - if the weather is clear - Boundary Gap should be fine - I don't recall any issues with heights and given the walks you have done you will be OK. You can camp at Wannon, leave your gear and tent there and spend part of the next day with a day pack exploring the plateau before heading back to the car.

[Jennifer]

Thanks very much for the info everyone. I'm glad to know the walk is within my abilities; it sounds like a great walk. Maybe parking at Mt. William is the way to go -- I hadn't thought of that. I do like the idea of setting up camp at 1st Wannon and going on with a lighter load for the rest of the day, as well as a pretty short walk on Sunday which gets us home earlier. I was thinking of doing that from Kalymna Falls campground but Mt. William might be better.

Cheers,
Jennifer

[Watertank]

Glad we can be of some help, here is a photo as we descended into the saddle from Mt William and before climbing up to the plateau which is in the distance - there are a couple of places which you might need a shove from behind ..! This was my son's first walk after he had dislocated his shoulders and he managed it without any trouble in howling wind and rain... Enjoy the trip - let us know how it went

[dashandsaph]

Another option is the trip we did was to drive up and camp at Jimmy Creek Friday night and leave the car there. Through the Halls Gap Visitor Centre we booked a taxi or shuttle service (I don't recall now) to take us to Sheep Hills Carpark which is at the foot of the track up to Mt William, then across the plateau to First Wannon overnight and back down to the car at Jimmy Creek for the run home. I agree with Watertank on the degree of scrambling needed. There are a couple of spots but they are not particularly scary or tricky. Go! Have fun!

[Jennifer]

Love the photo; it's got me excited for next weekend! Thanks for the suggestion, dashandsaph. I'll consult my hiking companions and figure out what will work best for us.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

I have always wanted to do that hike. It will happen one day in Spring or Autumn.

[Watertank]

Jennifer, did you do the hike? Looks like you would have had perfect weather.

[Jennifer]

Alas, one of my companions was recovering from a bad cold so we decided to base camp and day hike. But it was a fantastic weekend. We had the (free) Wannon Crossing campground to ourselves, and we did the Rosea circuit via the Rosea carpark, Teddy Bear Gap (which I wouldn't recommend, it was mostly on roads and had no good views; the only thing I particularly liked about it was the wildflowers), and Mount Abrupt. The walk from Mount Rosea down to the carpark was as great as everyone says it is, as was the view from Abrupt.

I'll definitely be heading back to do Major Mitchell Plateau in the next few months. I really love the Grampians -- what they lack in height they more than make up for in drama and cool geology.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Spring and Autumn are best for the Grampians.

[Jennifer]

I finally did this walk this past weekend. I injured my back in October and this was my first time out walking with a pack (aside from walking the 8 km to work once last week, just to be sure I could). We camped at Kalymna Campground Friday night, hiked up to 1st Wannon and set up camp, then wandered out on the plateau for the afternoon. Sunday we went back to the car. In retrospect I'd take Watertank's advice and start from Mount William, as the walk from Kalymna campground to Boundary Gap is on a MVO road and isn't nearly as good as the rest of the walk. I was trying to be careful with my back so I opted for the shorter and easier route. As it turns out my back felt great after a weekend hiking and I probably could have done more.

Coming up from Boundary Gap

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View of the Serra Range from the plateau

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My first good view of a snake in Australia! Well, in the wild anyway. I'm guessing a copperhead?

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[neilmny]

Not sure what the snake is Jennifer, my guess is either Tiger or Copperhead. Hopefully someone like jackhinde will be able to identify it for you, perhaps pop him a PM to have a look.
It would have been a bit unnerving seeing your first snake in the wild from the "pointy" end though.
Nice pictures too.

[Jennifer]

Thanks!

I was taking up the rear so I heard there was a snake before I saw it, and we kept a safe distance. So I was mostly excited rather than unnerved. Until I got a bit tired of how long it took it to move along, that is. It was enjoying the sun and in no hurry to leave.