Wild Dog Mountains Access Routes

[BushwalkingNSWAdmin]

Hi there,
I'm trying to find out how overgrown the various routes in the Wild Dog Mountains are as of July 2024, specifically the route to Splendour Rock via Black Horse Ridge after the 2020 fires and the proceeding successive wet years. I am a very experienced and competent navigator and off track walker but have my limit when it comes to scrub! I've heard rumours that the area is very bad but cant's find anyone to confirm. Thanks!

[Walk_fat boy_walk]

No idea but interested in responses (including regarding blue dog and other ridges). Have stayed away from the southern BMs/Kowmung etc for the past few years because of the regrowth but starting to think about heading back.

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[Warin]

The general area is overgrown. Klaus and friend were some days late returning from a bushwalk there - they both had previously walked the area and knew it well .. before the fires. That made the news as they were reported missing ... Plan on at least double the time to complete a walk... unless you know otherwise.

[sandym]

I don't know if this helps but the recent (May 2024) UTMB 100 km race went out to Medlow Gap over Clear Hill etc. You can see the course here: https://uta.utmb.world/races/uta100

[skibug]

This video might give you a rough idea of what to expect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf8p2elF2fg

I did Carlon's farm to the Cox's via Breakfast creek, returning iron pot hill, in December '22, the regrowth was extreme, track-finding was sometimes difficult because the track would be completely obscured. Also, a lot of it is not "re-growth" but invasive growth - every noxious weed you can think of. Parts of the area have highly degraded heritage value, because so much of it is non-native.

Skibug

[kellera]

In November 2024 we walked from Splendour Rock along to Dingo Gap and to Warrigal Gap then down to Mobbs Swamp. The track is only obvious in a few short sections (like near the Gaps and on heath at the top.) There is lots of thick sections but with 4 of us (all big fit blokes) we just ploughed through the bush fairly well. The fastest way is to use the lower trail. Drop packs at the bottom below if going up close to Splendor Rock (from Yellow Pup trail) and just go up there directly with water and snacks. The route along the ridge top was not really faster but had good views to Warragamba and we are OK with a bit of trail finding so enjoyed it but you need water with you (none up top) and keep your backpack to less than 16 kg if you can (for obvious reasons like sweat, agility, safety, speed). We left Splendour Rock about 1pm and got to Mobbs Swamp along the ridge route by about 3pm (did not go Blackhorse Gap as headed straight for water at Mobbs Swamp from Warrigal Gap). From there we headed to Medlow and along to Cedar Valley Trail to get to down into Cedar Creek. (We had started the day at Kongoroo Clearing having walked in via Breakfast Creek and Cox's River the day before.

[Walk_fat boy_walk]

I'd imagine the route from warrigal gap to blackhorse gap would still be ok? Can't imagine regrowth encroaching on the old wombat run around the base of mt warrigal too badly?