Water sources near Kosi Main Range

[dave_from_albury]

A friend and I are planning to do the top ten peaks around KNP next week as a 2 day walk, probably camping around Muellers Pass. My map shows a number of creeks not too far from there, but I'd like to know if any of you have suggestions about water sources that are easier to access/ more reliable. We'll be going clockwise this time, if that helps with suggestions.

Thanks

Dave

[Lophophaps]

There's a good set of creeks approaching Townsend. Cootapatamba may be okay. I am advised that Albina is fine. There's a few soaks and small creeks on the NW side of Northcote, on the track. There are pools on the shoulder of Twynum, on the route to Watsons I think. There's water at or near Tate, SE off the summit, and in the low Twynum-Tate bits. Mueller is pretty exposed.

[dave_from_albury]

Thanks for the list.

If we make good time we'll probably try to camp closer to the saddle between Townsend and Alice Rawson, alternatively if the weather's harsh we'll head down into Wilkinson's valley.

[Lophophaps]

The Townsend summit area is brilliant. There's flat grass, rocks to hide behind, good views and reliable water. The Wilkinsons Valley is quite popular, and this may be an issue. With so many people camping there, the water quality may be questionable. I don't know, but I have seen heaps of tents in that valley. Also, at night cold air will sink. I'd rather camp higher. Starting at the main track south of Muellers Peak, it's perhaps another 20-30 minutes to get to the Townsend campsites compared to the valley campsites. Unless the weather is really dreadful I think that camping on Townsend is better.

I believe that there's a route from Muellers Pass to the east of Muellers Peak into the saddle north of Muellers Peak. I've skied this, nice and smooth. It may be bumpier on foot in summer. There are good views of Lake Albina from here.

[Mark F]

We camped in Wilkinsons Valley last Wednesday & Thursday evenings and did a day walk to Townsend and Abbott Peak. There were a few spots on the pad to Townsend between the Townsend and Muellers Peak where water was available. The little lake below Townsend has a nice sheltered camp site. Friday there was 60+ mm of rain as we walked out via Blue Lake in 80 kph+ winds so any small sources should have been topped up.

[north-north-west]

Please just remember that camping within the catchment areas for any of the alpine lakes is forbidden.