Mt Jagungal Loop

[Jing]

Hi All,

I've just read the posts in reply Drewhp's planned trip around Kosciuszko NP and there's some great information there, thanks. I was also planning a trip with my family (wife and I and 3 young adult kids) in the general area for 5-6 days around New Years. I'm still at the planning stage but am thinking Guthega-Disappointment Spur Hut-Whites River Hut-Gungartan-Gungartan Pass(camp, weather permitting)-Kerries-Mawson Hut-cross country to Jagungal (camping somewhere in-between)-Descend west off Jagungal to Grey Mare Trail where it crosses Tumut River then follow AAWT back via Grey Mare-Valentines Hut/Falls etc back to Guthega. My wife and I have walked in this area years ago (20+) but would like some up to date information about the condition of this route. Looking at the maps and reading the posts, it would seem heading basically N from Mawson Hut (via Tarn Bluff?) to Jugangul is feasible. We're happy to navigate (map and compass, no GPS) through open country but are keen to avoid too much scrub/bush bashing. Bushfire regrowth has choked up a lot of trails in the Victorian Alps where we do most of our bush walking. I'm not aware if this is a factor in this area but would like to know if anyone has walked in this area recently and could advise us the best route up Gungartan (Whites River Hut or Schlink Pass?) and getting to Grey Mare Trail from off Jagungal and any other areas that are potentially scrubby. Any other advice/comments would also be welcome.

[Mark F]

There are no problems with the route but a couple of points. I find climbing Gungartan is pretty much scrub free from Schlink Pass. From Schlink Pass head up the clear lead to the top of the ridge and then head up the ridge climbing and sidling (to avoid a couple of large rock outcrops with tangled snow gums) in an easterly direction. On the map this is all on the Great Dividing Range. When on the highest part of the ridge (expansive views to the East) turn left. Descending west off Jagungal - you need to be a little careful about the line you take to avoid scrub. Head too far south and there are some boulder fields and scrub. Many people climb it from the northern side from near the met station on the firetrail.

[north-north-west]

It's not what you've planned, but there's an easy and pleasant route down from Jagungal towards the Grey Mare area via Strawberry Hill. Scrub-free and pretty straightforward walking.

[kjbeath]

I've done the walk from Mawson's to Jagungal twice, both times we headed from Mawson's along the track towards Valentines and then went cross-country to Jagungal crossing Valentines Creek near Big Bend. The walking is all nice and open.

I've also walked from Jagungal to the top end of the Geehi then along Toolong Range and down to the Geehi then down to Tarn Bluff (and Bluff Tarn which isn't shown on the modern maps) and over to Mawsons. I wouldn't recommend this route to Jagungal, the Toolong Range is scrubby and so is the top end of the Geehi. From Tarn Bluff it should be fine to head directly to Jagungal.

It is a great walk. If the weather is bad then it would be a good idea to avoid the Kerries and Jagungal which are both fairly exposed.

[Jing]

Thanks everyone for your posts (and Lophophaps' email) . Can't wait to get out there and have a wander around! I'm thinking now of spending perhaps a couple of nights somewhere in the region N of Mawson's and S of Jagungal and spending a day exploring the area. Does anyone know of a relatively sheltered spot in this area, near water would be good?

[Lophophaps]

Water is available everywhere on the Mawsons-Jagungal region: creeks, rivers, tarns, inside my tent at 2 am. Some places have scrub, heath, unfriendly grass and the like, not good places to camp. The river valleys are exposed and cold, so I'd get higher. Alternatively, good spots abound.

I've camped on the ridge south of Jagungal, usually on the east side or hiding behind a rock. If you start looking at about 255955 you should find something flat. This area is central to Jagungal, the east border of the park, a day trip to Grey Mare Hut, schools, public transport... sorry, I forgot, the park is not for sale. I'm from Victoria; I hope you understand.

This morning I was perusing John Chapman's AAWT book. His route from the bend in road west of Jagungal at 232983 varies from the way I usually go, which is up the creek for a bit then up. "Up the creek" describes my navigation.

[Jing]

I thought the whole of Australia is now up for sale,.. no sorry,...I mean "open for business".

[kjbeath]

This might be of interest http://www.wises.com.au/koscsrt.htm as it suggests camping spots near Cup and Saucer and Bluff Tarn. I find Mawsons Hut very pleasant. Nice in the afternoon watching the light change on Jagungal.

[Greg Buckman]

I walked north from Mawson's hut to Cesjacks last October: as others have said, its fairly open and easy walking though I found you need to keep making sure you are following Geehi River (to about McAlister Saddle) and not a side creek (like the one that enters at GR 272941).

Greg Buckman