A group of five started from Mountain Creek Campsite at 8am on Saturday, to climb the highest mountain in Victoria, Mount Bogong.
It was a steep, long walk up the Staircase Track in cloudy and cool conditions, but once past the tree line, walking was easier, and there were splendid views.
After a short hike to the Mount Bogong summit (1986 metres) and some lunch, we trudged on to Cleve Cole Memorial Hut.
[This rock structure was completed in 1938 to commemorate the death in August 1936 of bushwalker Cleve Cole, who was attempting the first winter crossing of the Bogong High Plains, with a group who became lost in blizzard conditions.
A rescue party located Cleve, and took him to Omeo Hospital, where he died a few days later.]
Around the hut where we camped, and everywhere on the mountain, the wildflowers were amazing!!
In the Australian Aboriginal Waywurru and Dhudhuroa languages, Mount Bogong is named Warkwoolowler, meaning the mountain where Aboriginal people collected the bogong fly.
Additionally, in the Dhudhuroa language the word Bugung means the brown moth, referring to Agrotis infusa.(which seems to be in rapid decline nowadays!!)
The next day we returned to Mountain Creek Campsite (via the less steep Eskdale Spur), having covered about 13 kms in total.
As the weather warmed up, it was so pleasant to be walking alongside clear Mountain Creek, and we arrived back at the campsite in good time.
It was a great walk, and a wonderful way to finish the year!
Coming Events
Saturday, 20th January
Ritchies Track, Stanley Forest
Lesley, 0439 776 687
A medium walk of about 12km, beginning at Lady Newton Drive. This walk has several steep sections, and is mostly on 4wd gravel roads, with plenty of shade. We pass by the outskirts of Stanley township.
Sunday, 4th February
Dickson Falls and The Back Wall, Mount Buffalo
Michael, 0447 617 880
A medium walk of about 13km on bush tracks from near Cresta Valley to Dickson Falls. We pass through the Giant’s Playground before reaching the southernmost point on the plateau with stunning views from the Back Wall.