Stirling Range Ridge Walk

[Al M]

Will be setting off with one other for a two day ridge walk any time next several weekends when weather window looks good. I guess a bunch of hikers already went last week during long weekend WA holiday.

Any trip reports like has the water drum hose at half way point been restored since last year?

If any reliable people want to join let us know.

[enduro]

would have liked to have seen some replies to this thread.

Al M, how was the water tank? Is it working and in good order?

[Al M]

Has been half rainy and thunderstorms, still waiting for better weather and looking at this coming or following weekends.

Will report here after successful walk.

[Redtail]

DBCA is still advising the walk is closed from July. https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/stirling-range
I've read similar on local (WA) FB pages and forums.
I suggest calling the local office to be sure of the situation.

[Al M]

Thanks for the heads up, yes you are correct I contacted Albany DPAW office and closed due to July bushfire damage and repairs needed. Expected reopening in March 2019.

[Redtail]

Hopefully those repairs include a new water tank or two.
Thanks for the update.

[Freodude]

Found this news out today, I've been preparing for this for months! Bluff Knoll is open I'm sure, I might contact the retreat tomorrow and see what they know. But having taken time off work in mid November for this I might need to find something to do instead. Open for ideas?

[beardless]

You probably know this but the Stirling Ranges has at least five tracked mountains that appear on the Parks info. 1. Bluff Knoll, 2. Toolbrunup, 3. Hassell, 4. Talybrunup, and 5.Trio. I have climbed the first four. All worthy to explore but with different degrees of difficulty. All up and down tracks. I think there might be a campground somewhere between Trio and Bluff Knoll.

[Redtail]

Found this news out today, I've been preparing for this for months! Bluff Knoll is open I'm sure, I might contact the retreat tomorrow and see what they know. But having taken time off work in mid November for this I might need to find something to do instead. Open for ideas?

Maybe stay at Mt Trio and break it into a series of daywalks in the area?
There's a campsite on the eastern approach to Ellen Peak for a possible overnighter.
But, if DBCA says it's a no go, then best to heed their advice.

What about Albany - Denmark on the Bib?

[Al M]

The caravan park don’t really know more about the closure and refer to DPAW Albany, who said you can’t go past the main track end of BK. I was hoping instead to go over BK to the east slope and lower camp saddle but they said that was also not allowed.

Might give the Bib an overnight go from Mt Cuthbert and Mt Randal 30km south of Armadale.

[Freodude]

So the DPAW alert seems to be taken down I assume this means it's reopened. Can anyone confirm this?

EDIT: Just had a mate confirm it is open.

[redrock]

Yeah!! Late Feb.

Hikers have mentioned to be prepared to be covered in black soot, and with top ends of all the dead bushes turning into sharp barbs with no give. I'll wait to mid-winter for a little re-growth.

Another awesome walk is the Hassell-Toolbrunup traverse, a mini-Ridgewalk in itself, and a great taster of the main one. I'm looking forward to doing it again next month.

[Al M]

DPAW did say it would be open in March 2019.

The fresh green regrowth on burnt vegetation would be surreal looking.

Better start training regime for the hike now.

[Officer Down]

Completed the Ridge Walk a week ago and can confirm the pipe connected to the water drum at the Arrows has been damaged by the recent fire and hiker's should plan on carrying adequate water supply to last for the duration of their trip.

[Al M]

This WA long weekend weather looks good for a ridge walk.

If anyone wants to share a ride to Ellen Peak end to start pls let me know

[Al M]

Completed the hike over the long weekend. About 15 other hikers going both ways, some getting lost and retreating in the early misty whiteout but quite clear weather after that.

Track conditions quite good with the bush fire thinning the bush enough to make trail finding easier but the sharp burnt ends scratching the legs more than usual, definitely long pants walking conditions. Fire seems to have approached in patches from south up Ellen Peak, several saddles over the ridge and even up the Bluff Knoll but not over to the north side of the ridge.

Water drum hose is still out of action. Would be good for some Samaritans to sort this out with some plumbing parts.

Pictures of track below.

Picked up enough rubbish (plastic bags, bottles, rubber thongs and wet wipes etc) that people should not be leaving behind, very thoughtless. Everyone please pickup after yourselves, bury tissues or at least place a stone.

Attachments

White-out clouds on ridge traverse

Burnt vegetation recovering new ground shoots but above are all dead

Wedge tail eagles keeping company overhead

Traversing sloped marshland

South of Bluff Knoll steep climb

Looking east along ridge traverse

Overnight camp

Bluff Knoll 1070m summit and 250m rock wall from car park finish

[Freodude]

Looking good Al M, perfect weather for it. Did you do 2 days or 3? Love the shot of the wedge tail! It's been too many years since I've walk in the Stirlings.

I almost took you up on your offer to tag along before the weekend but the surf around Perth was looking good as well so opted for the later.

[Al M]

I hiked it in 2 days, putting in 8 hrs first day past the Arrows for good position to finish the next day. I used to do 3 days but managed to improve things by reducing my gear weight by 3-4Kg, fitter and not sleeping in too much giving more hours on trail.

There can be several eagles hovering around as close as 10m at the high points and they are not afraid of humans.

[Al M]

Ridge Walk still closed but anyone heard rumours on when it might open this year?

[Al M]

Has reopened last week according to DPAW website.