Bushwalk Australia

Hi all, I'm planning a trip next month:

Day 1: Staircase spire to Bogong, Mt Arthur via Quartz Ridge.

Day 2: Mt Nelse via via The Grey Hills & Spion Kopje.

Day 3: either Edmondsons or johnstons hut. Visit hut didn't stay in then Ropers hut for the night.

Day 4: Cross Big River & on to Cleve Cole Hut via T Spur knob.

Day 5: Back across to Bogong & down Esksale Spur

I know there are water tanks at the huts but are there many creeks etc to fill up from along the way?

Is there water at johnstons/ edmondstons hut?

Ropers hut?

Most if not all those huts don't have tanks. There's plenty of water in the creeks, for example, above Whiterock Falls or below Warby Corner.

It's unclear to me where you are ending up each night. It seems that day two stops at Mt Nelse, and that day three is a side trip to Johnsons or Edmonsons, then to Ropers for the night. This is only half a day, if that. It's about two hours Ropers to Big River, and four hours if that from there to Cleve Cole. Allow time to go to Howmans Falls. If you go up Staircase then going down Eskdale involves a few kilometres of road walking back to the cars.

Could you please restate your proposed itinerary in the form start, route features, end? Thanks.

Should be fine for water at all 3 site. Was at Ropers about 4 weeks ago plenty of water in the creek down behind where the original hut was. 3 weeks ago people I know accessed the water at Johnston's and Edmondstons always has a good flow in the creek.

Day 1: Staircase spire to Bogong, Mt Arthur via Quartz Ridge.

Day 2: Mt Nelse via via The Grey Hills & Spion Kopje. Then on to either Edmondsons or johnstons hut.

Day 3: Visit hut didn't stay in then Ropers hut for the night.

Day 4: Cross Big River & on to Cleve Cole Hut via T Spur knob.

Day 5: Back across to Bogong & down Esksale Spur

My thinking is day 1&2 are big days. Day 3 will be pretty cruisy before the return climb up t spur to Cleve Cole then back down Eskdale spur

Yes, day 1 is big and there's no water on Arthur so you'd need to carry it in.

There was water when coming off Quartz Ridge - at the creek where you join the Big River Fire Track.
Not sure if that dries up, but there was plenty there when I did a November trip last year.
But I did not use it as I had topped up in the valley above Bogong Creek Falls before descending the Ridge.

eggs wrote:There was water when coming off Quartz Ridge - at the creek where you join the Big River Fire Track.
Not sure if that dries up, but there was plenty there when I did a November trip last year.
But I did not use it as I had topped up in the valley above Bogong Creek Falls before descending the Ridge.

This water is always good and running. We were there a month ago and it would be a better camp than Mt Arthur leaving the climb up for the next morning. As NNW said, no water past there until you get onto Spione Kopje. The track from the end of Grey Hills joining Spione Kopje is not clear so set a bearing and walk it the best you can. There is good water on the old aqueduct before Nelse. Not sure if there is any benefit going to Johnson's or Edmondson's unless you want to see either as you will have to back track the next day and it would not take long to get to Ropers or Big River. Both huts are nice to visit though. Heading to Roper's sets you up for the next day which apart from T spur will be quite easy. You have allowed plenty of time and probably a day more than needed but that is better than overestimating which is common for people not used to walking in the mountains. It is a great loop walk with plenty of good scenery. My preference would be:

Day 1 - camp at Bogong Creek saddle (bottom of Quartz ridge) as the climb up Mt. Arthur would be challenging at the end of a day. It would be about 2hrs from Mt. Bogong depending on how fast you are. I have done it the other way in 2hrs when I was fitter so going down should be similar walking comfortably.
Day 2 - Grey Hills to Roper's
Day 3 - Duane spur, T spur to Cleve Cole
Day 4 - Rest day or walk out

or
Day 1 - same as above
Day 2 - Grey Hills to Edmondson's (lots of ups and downs but generally up)
Day 3 - Day walk to Fitzgerald's, Kelly's and Johnson's return to camp at Edmondson's (easy walking and few hills)
Day 4 - to Ropers, Duane and T spur to Cleve Cole (I have done this with a less than fit group and a late start so it very doable)
Day 5 - out