Overnight hike cradle mountain region

[johnshivers]

Hi Guys,

I was looking for some advice on overnight hikes in the cradle mountain / walls or Jerusalem region.
We were hoping to hike around 6-8km each day and stay either in tents or huts for the night then return on a different route preferably to the same starting point.
Any advice would be great.

Cheers,

John

[eggs]

I think the overnight loop using Scott-Kilvert Hut is terrific.
Well worth exploring behind Hansons Peak and the Twisted Tarns [~6 km]. You can return via the OT [~9km] with possible sidetrips to Barn Bluff or Cradle Mt.
We have done the loop once on our honeymoon - but been in the area a few times.
Best time was autumn with the fagus in full colour.

I have also done a 2 night loop through the Walls - but it would not be too hard to do it in 2 days.
In via the main route to Dixon's Kingdom [~9km] and then down to Lake Ball and back up the valley from Lake Adelaide to Lake Loane [~12km].
Long Summer days with the scoparia in full bloom would be best.

[johnshivers]

Scott-kilvert overnight route looks the best for us. We plan to do this in early January 2011 (3rd-6th) any suggests which direction to tackle. And will we have any trouble parking the car overnight at the start of the trail ?

[eggs]

Hmm - January is a busy time.
Parks normally close off the Lake Dove car park fairly early due to numbers - but there is a shuttle bus from the main car park.
If you get there really early you may be able to park at Lake Dove.

As for direction - it is an easier walk up via Lake Hanson than straight up Marions Lookout and the initial distance is shorter.
[There are 2 options on the Hanson route - either the short but steep section over Hansons Peak or the longer rougher track around the back via the Lake. There are benefits either way - but I prefer the back route for the lake scenery and the approach to the Twisted Lakes. And you could do a short sidetrip from the Twisted Lakes back to the Peak if you wanted to.]
So if you get there a bit later in the morning there will be a shuttle delay and the Hansons shorter route will fit the timeframe better - but also be aware of the time of the last shuttle back on the second day if you do have to use the big car park.