Federation Peak, Which Way???

[Macca81]

Hey all,

I want to do Federation by the end of the year, and after some research im finding that going from the south (farmhouse creek) seems to be shorter/faster, yet for some reason its more common to go in from the north (scotts peak).

granted, im finding about a 50/50 split of track notes, but chapman claims that most walkers go in from scotts peak anyway...

so, why take the longer trek in? and is it really that different? and what is everyones actual preference? (i like the idea of starting at farmhouse creek personally...)


and, other than chapmans book, is tehre any other decent set of track notes that anyone knows of?

[pazzar]

I think you will find that the Farmhouse Creek track is the most common way to do Feder's. Its all a matter of preference though. The Arthur Plains make for a nice alternative.

[JamesMc]

The obvious answer is go in one way and out the other, provided you can organise transport. That way you get to walk the length of the Eastern Arthurs which are really nice. Last time I was there we didn't even bother with Federation Peak, just some of the smaller peaks of the EAs. Contrary to what John Chapman says, I really liked the Yo Yo Track.

JamesMc

[Macca81]

I think you will find that the Farmhouse Creek track is the most common way to do Feder's. Its all a matter of preference though. The Arthur Plains make for a nice alternative.

i was starting to get this feeling, but it was the following comment on chapmans website that threw me:
"There are several possible trips. I will provide the most common trip which is a return walk from Scotts Peak Dam. This can be accessed by charter buses in summer. The other access road to Farmhouse Creek has no public transport and very little tourist trraffic."


i prefer the idea of farmhouse myself. ill do the whole range oneday, but while im a single man its easier to start and finnish at the same spot

[Taurë-rana]

I did it via Farmhouse Ck, and remember it to be a reasonably relaxed and enjoyable walk. We went via Judds Cavern and the Cracroft Junction and the section through the rainforest near Judds Cavern was lovely, so it's a pity it's been rerouted. I think we took 5 nights, going up Feder the same evening we went up Moss Ridge, luckily as it snowed the next day.

Not having gone in from Scotts Peak I can't really comment, but I would think that the walk in through the Eastern Arthurs would be far more spectacular, harder, and much more miserable in case of bad weather - the advantage of the Farmhouse Creek track is that you're only up at any altitude for one night.

[Son of a Beach]

There's not much in the way of views from Farmhous ck, whereas it's views all the way from Scotts pk. The best route is from Scotts pk with great antcipatory views getting better as you get closer, and then out Farmhouse ck afterwards as it's a bit shorter.

[geoskid]

i prefer the idea of farmhouse myself. ill do the whole range oneday, but while im a single man its easier to start and finnish at the same spot

Haha, you thought you got away with that did'nt you

[Macca81]

i prefer the idea of farmhouse myself. ill do the whole range oneday, but while im a single man its easier to start and finnish at the same spot

Haha, you thought you got away with that did'nt you

shhh

[MJD]

Farmhouse Creek is the quickest but the best views are to be had going up Luckmans Lead and along the range. You don't have to go from Scotts Peak as you can go along the Huon River track, which is also known as the YoYo track for reasons that will quickly become apparent. Although the YoYo track is a bit of a slog it is in excellent condition except for the last kilometer or so. If the weather is clear then you will get awesome views once you have crossed the Cracroft. The route up Luckmans Lead, to Stuart Saddle, Goon Moor and through Four Peaks is simply stunning.

[rucksack]

I have walked in and out on all three routes: Farmhouse Creek, Huon Track (aka Yo-Yo Track) and McKays Track along the Arthurs Plains from Junction Creek (where it joins up with the Port Davey Track from Scotts Peak Dam) and in all four seasons. The fire that burnt through the Arthur Plains and up into the Western Arthurs a couple of years back has left some fairly extensive blackened areas until you start ascending Luckman's Lead. The Pass Creek-Luckman's Lead-Stuart Saddle-Goon Moor approach is by far the more interesting way to approach Federation Peak, in my view. I think that one of the reasons that John Chapman cites the Arthur Plains approach in his guide book is that until last summer, Tassielink ran three buses a week into Scotts Peak Dam over the summer months and that made it easier for interstate walkers. No longer. If the weather is poor, the Farmhouse Creek approach keeps you lower for longer. However, the Huon is a good track until near Cracroft (as per MJD's post). I think that the Huon route is my preferrred one these days. You get a decent track on the way in and out and all the great views from Luckman's Lead onwards. If the creeks are up on the Arthur Plains, McKay's can be a very interesting journey, althought that is equally true of the Cracroft River crossing as well. I have been stalled a couple of times on both. Those recent fires have made a mess of Cracroft Crossing on the western side of the river, but the eastern side is untouched and there is a very good camp site just back from the river, in a clearing on the left hand side as you approach the crossing.

rucksack

[NickD]

I have also walked all 3 ways in....
Huon Track is well described by John Chapman using the words 'Soul Destroying'. Not much appeal there but for a few fragile Huon Pines by the river banks.

Farmhouse Creek is a slog, ugly but quick. If your going for a Peak Baggers mission, this is the way to do it. Beechervaise Camp is *&%$#! amazing, however water and toileting are an issue. The climb at Moss Ridge is pretty epic by 'On Track' standards, however I did it with a pretty overloaded pack.

Eastern Arthurs via Arthurs Plains is the way to go. Treat yourself to two shorter days, one to Junction Creek and one from Cracroft Crossing to Pass Creek, and leave the hard yakka to Luckman's Lead. Whilst challenging and never ending, its fabulous fun!! Whilst the Eastern Arthurs are not as visually pleasing as its brother and Western half, its just as challenging and the psychological rewards are worth it alone : - )

[ILUVSWTAS]

I would agree with NickD with all except the yoyo track. I didnt find it anywhere near as tough as I had heard as MJD says it has been cleared enough most of the way you could drive a 4x4 along it. The Arthur plains are quite boring and tedious IMO

I also founf the EA slightly more difficult than expected packhauling in one or 2 places where I didnt have to packhaul on the WA once.

[tastrekker]

I think it's funny that the diversity of opinions expressed here essentially confirm Macca81's original comments.

As for me, I've been done the Arthur Plains which had great views of the Western Arthurs. Unfortunately the masochist leader on our walk planned to do Luckman's Lead at the end of a long day traversing the plains. That was too much for one of our party and we ended up heading back home after only reachind The Dial. On the way out, we had trouble with flooded rivers on the way out and heard afterwards that creeks were essentially uncrossable for the entire following week!

My only successful trip to Fedder was via Farmhouse Creek which is the obvious choice if peak bagging success is your priority.

I'm yet to do the Yo-yo track of the Eastern Arthurs traverse. I have a first edition copy of John Chapman's book where he describes a track linking the Yo-yo and Farmhouse Creek tracks. That would have made a good circuit possible from/to a single car park. I expect it would be completely overgrown now and seriously frowned on by parks.

[MJD]

I've also got a first edition copy. It describes the route between Cracroft Junction to Cracroft Crossing as rough. As this edition was printed in 1978 it is a pretty safe bet that the route is virtually non existent now; I've never heard of anyone using it. Sounds like you might as well go over Hopetoun - easier said than done but at least you will get some peak bagging points.