Sunday May 25th, a group of eight eminent walkers met in Wangaratta to undertake what I believe is a new walk for the club to Top Crossing Hut. Today we welcomed two returning casual walkers, Angi and Roger, for their second walk with the club. First timer Shreeyal came all the way from India to walk with us; he possibly was already here as part of his new job.

The make-up of walkers for today was rather special with an equal number of men and women involved. Club folklore was established on Sunday July 31st, 2022, when men outnumbered women on a club walk. Today we were incredibly close, so it’s a little disappointing one more man couldn’t attend today.

The drive to Lake William Hovell started out as a cloudy day, with a temperature of 15 degrees and little chance of rain. The incentive for the group was to walk at a pace that was sufficient to allow a cuppa at the end of the walk at the Cheshunt Café before it closed at 4pm.

It’s a fair drive from Wangaratta to begin the walk, and our first mission was to park vehicles at Evans Creek, which is past Lake William Hovell and before Buckland Spur Track. Correction, that was the second mission. The first was to use the facilities at Lake William Hovell for a select group of walkers.

We encountered a shooter as we parked the vehicles who alerted us to the sound of the barking dogs in the distance, which he said were in the process of bringing a deer back to his group of hunters. He also alerted his hunting group that walkers were in the area, and not to shoot. Deer bad. Walkers good.

Our beginning elevation at Evans Creek was about 430m, and we would encounter three water crossings on our hike. This first one was easily navigated via a series of stepping stones without necessitating a change of footwear. I should mention easily navigated by most of our group. For some unknown reason, Angi and Anne decided to take a little more of a detour through the creek. Instead of travelling from point A to B, they utilised much more of the alphabet.

The turn off to Buckland Spur Track soon appeared on our right. It’s challenging uphill climb was not on our agenda today. It was only about 30 minutes before we took the opportunity to have morning tea at a car park area adjacent to the King River. The shallow flowing water made a pleasant backdrop as the tea, and coffee drinkers savoured their favourite beverage. Except for a disappointed Daryl; his hot drink had sprung a leak in his pack while in the boot of my car on the drive out. Nevertheless, a borrowed mug here, and an extra coffee from another walker, and he was well satisfied.

Once everyone was replenished, we set off again. Less than one kilometre, later we passed the river crossing that leads towards Sandy Flat Track. We were fortunate that this was not one of our King River crossings, because it is deeper and wider than most of the river along this track. It may have required the breaststroke to cross, and my dodgy shoulder isn’t up to that.

It’s at about the 4.5km mark that the first of our major water crossings required a rethink of footwear. Shreeyal simply walked through the water. Daryl had his unique efficient amphibian looking footwear. Angi wore gum boots. But not just any gum boots. These made a fashion statement. A leopard skin pattern which had to be seen to be believed. I assumed they are part of a Kim Kardashian clothing line, and wouldn’t be out of place in a glam rock band either. What is more, we do have club photos. The rest of us mortals changed into old shoes or crocs.

The two necessary river crossings were within a short distance of each other, and so the footwear remained on until the second was completed. In 2006 there was an animated dancing penguin in a movie called ‘Happy Feet’. That’s not happy feet. No, happy feet are the feet that get dried after walking through icy cold water, and then reunited with cosy warm dry socks and a pair of hiking boots. That’s what I call happy feet!

During the walk a couple of wallabies were spotted retreating into dense bush, and brightly coloured Rosellas were in abundance. Signposted a short distance off the Top Crossing Track is an old mining track constructed in 1897, and it runs from Tolmie to Buckland Junction, some 72km in length. Jeanette and Anne were keen to explore the track, but I said no, as afternoon tea at the end of the day was a priority.

Along the final stretch of track to the hut was the most uphill part for the day. A steady climb of almost 100m in elevation over 800 metres in distance, and then back down to meet the river at the Hut. Top Crossing Hut is the most meagre and humblest of all huts in the northeast. It’s the Charlie Brown of huts. The campground area is pleasant, with the King River a stone’s throw away. That is where we consumed lunch, on the banks of the river.

After a relaxing lunch, it was time for the customary group shot before leaving. I should say photo really, as there were genuine shooters in the area. Our return was by the way we had walked out, but in more pleasant sunshine than we had experienced earlier. This track hugs the King River all the way, and when you can’t see the river, you can still hear it cascading.

The 15km walk was completed in about five hours, which allowed time for a welcome afternoon tea at Cheshunt Café. Stories were abundant, and many of them probably true. Although no one was doing any fact checking. Thanks to everyone who participated, and the walk might be a good one to repeat in warmer weather, when a swim or paddle could be undertaken in the water holes near the hut.

Michael Braendler