Scenic Rim Track in June / July

[johk]

Hi,

I am considering doing the scenic rim walk from Thornton to Cunninghams gap in June/July.
We only have 3 days available of walking.
My plan is to drive to Cunninghams gap on Thursday arvo to be picked-up by taxi and then dropped off at Thornton for an early start on Friday.
The plan is:
Day 1: Thornton – Castle View
Day 2: Castle View - Banshee
Day 3: Banshee – Carpark

Is it feasible go from Thornton to Castle View in one day – it will be a long walk for sure but with an early start I was hoping this would be achievable.
I realise this depends on someone’s experience and fitness but if someone have done this it would be great to get some feedback.

Also, is there a camping spot at the Trail head? I seem to not find any info re. this.
I have seen some trail reviews that the first part of the track has been quite overgrown. Is there anyway to see when the track has been cleared?

Any comments would be much appreciated.

Thank you
J

[freehorizon]

it should be possible, but it will be quite difficult, considering you are climbing onto the range onto the first day, which i have heard can be quite difficult. from what ive heard the second day (from the first campsite to castle view) is quite easy as your just walking on fire trails, ive personally walked from castle view to the winder and that 6km is easily completable in about an hour. interms of fitness level you are doing 660m of elevation gain in the first 10km alone, and the ridge alone is not flat, so you will be doing a stupid amount of vertical climbing and descent in that first day, yeah i recon i could do it myself, but i am an 18yr old, 100kg, 184cm scout, with leg problems and with a tendency to hike with a 25kg pack, where the only thing that will stop me from walking stupidly quick (uphill probably am averaging about 4km/h) is knee pain and/or chafing. so it depends on how much you are willing to push yourself and how much your pack weighs.

i don't think their is any camping spot cause it is private property where you start, but if you really want to you could just pull the old trick of sleep in the car/ bushbash 10m off the road and set up a tent there.

interms of trail quality/ how overgrown it is, that is quite difficult to tell. cause stuff grows quickly especially after rain, like when i walked to the winder in april it wasn't too badly overgrown. however i have also heard from friends who did the scenic rim in early april i think they did say it was overgrown but they did manage so it depends on your capability.

honestly it really depends on your capability and what your willing to do.