by meemaamoo » Mon 26 Sep, 2022 6:24 pm
Hi GBW, thanks for this resource. Based on your trip report we have just completed the route in September 2022, with a visit to the Ski Village added in and a diversion at the end due to snow. Water supply was a non-issue because of the heavy rains.
Day 1: Warburton to New Federal Mill - thunderstorms, hail, rain, mud, a river crossing and masses of leeches. New Fed Mill has a shelter (and tent platforms), so we ended up pitching our tent under it between picnic tables which was a relief as the heavy rain continued all night. We collected our water from the last river crossing before New Fed Mill.
Day 2: To Boundary Road - mist, rain, road walking, leeches. We also camped by the side of the road near the little dam on Boundary Road. It's not on the map but it's there. Bramble residue at the campsite punctured a few pieces of gear (my mat, camel pak - not through the tent floor but by carelessly putting things on the ground) before we figured it out and took more care.
Day 3: To Horsfall Summit - sunny, short day, road walking, lovely views and easy flat grassy camping. We diverted down a side road past a locked gate to collect some water from a stream before arriving at camp.
Day 4: To Thomson River Xing - more road walking, lyrebirds galore! We also went past the little dam turn off and opted to camp by the forth Thomson River crossing (as Uncle Rumple above has mentioned) Nice fresh water from the river and pretty campspot by the road.
Day 5: To Baw Baw Village - easy ascent up the upper yarra track to the AAWT. It was not overgrown, just a few blow downs. The spring snow began around Mt Whitelaw and this section was a struggle without snow shoes. No visible path, so navigating, altitude and with the melty snow it was pretty physically/mentally challenging. Saved by a hot shower and hot meal at the ski village (booked a room in advance at the Frosti Lodge).
Day 6: Due to the snow, we changed to plan B - we detoured down Sth Face Rd To Rawson - 35km of road walking through thick mists. A bit of a slog but better than facing another day of snow collapsing beneath our feet! We ended
Had a fantastic hike and loved the wild camping. Saw no other hikers for the whole trip, just a handful of 4WDs, snowboarders and some snow shoe tracks up on Baw Baw. Thanks again!