Mt St Gwinear to Mushroom Rocks and back

[Earwig]

How far and how long? I'm looking at a very basic map and thinking 25 to 30km return - 4 to 5 hours each way. My plan was drive to Mt St Gwinear carpark and hike out and camp (around Mushroom Rocks hopefully) and then hike back the next day and drive home. I'm wondering how much hiking time I'd need so I can work out my driving times.

[Travis22]

It's about 13km to mushroom rocks from the st gwinear carpark.

4km from the carpark to the rock shelter on the AAWT junction. 9km South on the AAWT to mushroom rocks.

4-5hrs each way sounds about right.

Travis.

[Snowzone]

I did similiar to this a few years back only I camped at the old hut ruin on Mount Erica and then just wandered down to Mushroom Rocks for a look around. I can't recall the walking times but I know I was in no rush and had more than enough time to explore the area. It was quite enjoyable walking. The Snow Gums on Baw Baw are just magical.

[bernieq]

.... only I camped at the old hut ruin on Mount Erica and then just wandered down to Mushroom Rocks for a look around

Spot on, Snowzone. The campsite at Talbot Hut (ruin) is much nicer than Mushroom Rocks (and a lot less likely to have hoards of school kids camping there) – plenty of water in the creek (<50m south along the track) at this time of year.

Here’s a link to a pic of Talbot Hut I posted just a week ago viewtopic.php?f=37&t=18021#p242213

[Snowzone]

.... only I camped at the old hut ruin on Mount Erica and then just wandered down to Mushroom Rocks for a look around

Spot on, Snowzone. The campsite at Talbot Hut (ruin) is much nicer than Mushroom Rocks (and a lot less likely to have hoards of school kids camping there) – plenty of water in the creek (<50m south along the track) at this time of year.

Here’s a link to a pic of Talbot Hut I posted just a week ago viewtopic.php?f=37&t=18021#p242213

I did notice your photo in that thread Bernie, I thought it was a clever pic for showing the level of infrastructure.
There is also a couple of nice clearings between the Hut Ruin and Rock Shelter that would also be pleasant to camp in.

[Earwig]

Thanks everyone. So it seems I head out and camp at the hut ruins or maybe somewhere north of the ruins, or maybe somewhere to the south of them, and then wander back the next day. Another question, Does anyne know what the drive from Mt St Gwinear to Marysville is like? Thomson Valley Road and then Nine Mile Road to Warburtoin - Woods Point Rd.

[Travis22]

It's a SLOW long drive.

Little rough in places, personally in my old 4wd ute... I avoid it!

Take a chainsaw just in case.

Travis.

[Earwig]

Made it Track was pretty wet in places from a dump of snow earlier in the week.

[neilmny]

Any chance of a write up Ian?
I enjoyed your write up on the trip to Giddy Goat..... .......but only because I wasn't the divebombee.
*&%$#! maggies, I don't bother ridng at this time of year.

[Snowzone]

Made it Track was pretty wet in places from a dump of snow earlier in the week.

Glad you 'made it'. The track on the plateau is often wet and boggy even in the summer. I'm hoping to be up there in a couple of weeks myself.

[Earwig]

Trip report posted here http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=18288, with a link to my blog, which includes photos.

Snowzone, it's a good area for hiking - have fun.