Fortress - Grampians

[JohnR]

Can anyone please tell me how badly effected by the January 2013 fires the Fortress walking track is.

I am thinking of hiking in to the Fortress from the Harrop Track car park. Worth the effort or is it all too blackened?

Cheers,
JohnR

[icefest]

Behold the magical arcane knowledge of the fabled "siarch" function:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=grampians%20fortress%20bushwalk


Seriously though, welcome to the forums, read the rules and enjoy your walk.

[JohnR]

For those interested, the area is still badly scarred by the fires.

Spent a night at Oasis campsite by ourselves and only saw 3 people walking back out to Harrop Track while we were walking in. Also no one up in the Eastern Cave campsite.

A little difficult to get to the top of the Fortress because the track(s) seem badly overgrown. Still a rewarding walk and the rock formations in the area are stunning (particular at sunset and sunrise).

Would highly recommend this walk to anyone trying to get their kids into hiking.

[ofuros]

Thanks for the update, JohnR.

[cherish]

Would highly recommend this walk to anyone trying to get their kids into hiking.

Do you think suitable for 10/11yo?

Cheers
Eric

[JohnR]

Definitely a suitable adventure for a 10/11 year old with moderate fitness. I did it with a 9 year old.

It's about a 2 hour walk to the Oasis campsite and that is allowing a few stops to take in some fantastic views of the Fortress.

Certainly wait for a cooler weather period. That will make the walk much more enjoyable.

Best of luck.

[bmak]

With the grampians slowly being opened up after the fires last week I plan in doing this walk tomorrow. Probably going to do the mt Thackeray loop

[bmak]

Did this over the weekend with my 10yo son.

Had planned on doing the Fortress/Mt Thackery loop over 2 days but left late Saturday and the heat and terrain made it pretty slow going.

Camped at the Fortress overnight and walked back out Sunday.

Doesn't look like they put much effort into restoring the track(maybe a good thing) so there is a lack of signage and with the regrowth its easy to head off track.

[Sitcheh]

Hi guys, what is the best topo map to use for the mt Thackery / fortress hike and other walks in the area?

[Isis]

A 1:250000 one, I think it's called northern Grampians. Not really a lot of choice.

[dplanet]

VICMAP - Victoria Range - 7323-2-4, Zone 54, 1:25 000

[dplanet]

Due to including other walks in the area, Southern Grampians 1:50 000 is the choice.

[Sitcheh]

Thanks guys, I decided on the Vicmap thackery map. We are planning on hiking Easter from Harrops track in and out, overnight.
Does anybody know if any of the falls on the area will be running, or of the best (amateur) bouldering sites on the fortress?

[dplanet]

A few pix from my recent revisit are attached below.

[bmak]

Great to see some flowing water

[dplanet]

It was a relief to see the ribbon