AAWT between Thredbo, Jagungal, and Tharwa

[Lophophaps]

These three stickies are for AAWT facts, no discussion, please.

[Lophophaps]

These notes are written from a southbound perspective, Tharwa to Thredbo.

At Pond Creek the 4WD track is quite obvious.

On the leg to the Murrumbidgee River the first telephone pole is at around 410468, with a possible pad north and then west of the knoll NE of here. (I met the pole line by going due west from the shallow saddle south of the knoll.)

The last pole has a track that goes west and AAWT markers pointing back on the poles and SE to Dairymans Creek, which I jumped across.

At Kiandra, reliable water is available from the creek just north of where Tabletop Trail meets the Snowy Mountains Highway.

There’s a magnetic deviation on Tabletop Trail between the transmission line and the Selwyn ski trails.

The route from the AAWT near Boltons Hill Trail to Happys Hut is scrubby, not happy for uphill.

[Eljimberino]

Broken Dam hut is new, and not too far from Four Mile.

[Mark F]

There have been many comments on the number of NSW maps needed for the AAWT and thus the cost involved. I have just discovered that all NSW topo maps are now free to download in TopoPDF format which can be used with the free Avenza Maps app on smartphones. http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/etopo.html . I have also posted this in the NSW section of the site.

From Tharwa heading south you need the following to get to Thredbo:

8726-4N Williamsdale,
8626-1N Corin Dam,
8626-1S Rendezvous Creek,
8626-4S Rules Point,
8626-4N Peppercorn if going to Blue Waterholes,
8626-3N Tantangara,
8526-2N Ravine not really needed. It only covers a tiny corner of Kiandra but hey, it's free.
8526-2S Cabramurra,
8626-3S Denison,
8625-4N Old Adaminaby,
8525-1N Toolong Range,
8525-1S Jagungal,
8525-2N Geehi Dam
8525-2S Perisher Valley.

To get from Thredbo to the Border you need:

8525-2S Perisher Valley. Also in list above.
8524-1N Chimneys Ridge, (name fixed)
8524-4N Tom Groggin,
8524-4S Davies Plain,
8524-S Suggan Buggan (1:50k) although I would recommend getting the VicMap 8524-3N Cobberas instead as it covers a lot on the Victorian side as well at 1:25k.

[neilmny]

Great work Mark, just one small thing ...it is 8524-1N Chimneys Ridge. Chimney comes up as invalid.

[crollsurf]

Bimberi Wilderness (Cotter catchment):
Expect localised thunder storms through this area in Spring.
Some long steep up and down so allow extra time. Best to apply for permission to camp in the catchment just in case (namadginationalpark@act.gov.au)
Other than Cotter Hut where no camping is permitted, there are no real campsites, expect to camp on track.
No AAWT markers.

Navigation:
As previously mentioned, the route from Tabletop Mountain Trail to Happy's Hut is heavily overgrown. Doable but may wish to walk the extra ks to the Happys Hut Trail.
Not sure if fact or opinion but found the Chapman guide "Australian Alps Walking Track" was all I needed(http://www.john.chapman.name/pub-aawt.html). 1:100,000 maps were never used.
Other than Bimberi Wilderness, Parks have put up a lot of new signs recently, so track is well marked. No reason not to take maps/guide though.

[madmacca]

I found the strip maps in Chapman's book fine for navigating.

BUT, you do need to consider exit routes in case of bushfire, injury or other reasons, and for this purpose 1:100,000 maps are good. Hopefully they will never be used (as per your experience).

[Lophophaps]

Madmacca, agree. There's also the possibility of taking diversions, such as the Main Range-Schlink Pass-Gungartan-Mawsons-Jagungal-O'Keefes. Regardless of any diversions such as this, providing one has walked from one end to the other, even spread over a few years, I consider that the AAWT has been walked.

[bigkev]

Hi Guys, I've just lobbed into Canberra so here's a few observations.

First up there is an un-official mountain bike race called the Hunt 1000 that heads down the AAWT from Tolbar Road to Cowombat Track at this time of the year. These guys are all good guys but are hopelessly under prepared for the alpine environment so they rely heavily on the huts, so be aware. I rocked up to O'Keefes after a 30 k day in rain and hail to find 6 mountain bikers (and their bikes) in the hut, the guys would of made some room for me but I wasn't sure if anymore were going to turn up, so I pushed onto to Bogong Creek and camped there. One of then guys that I shared Happys with only had a disposable bivy bag and a three quarter mat - no sleeping bag

There is a good track down to 4 Mile Hut now.

There is also a good cairned pad up Binberi Peak from Murrays Gap now, you can find water 100 metres east of the gap, just camp slightly to the west.

The Cotter River Valley is easily crossed in a day if you don't have a permit.

As I finished rain of biblical proportions is hitting the area so I don't think a lack of water will be an issue for awhile, keep in mind that north of Kiandra you a back in horsey country so treat any water with a bit of suspicion.

Cheers

[paidal_chalne_vala]

"a bit of suspicion". I have not heard of that brand of water purification tablets for contaminated water. I sometimes use "Puritabs" or a pump up water filter. What are those tablets like? Are they modestly priced? ;-P

[paidal_chalne_vala]

I walked the section of the AAWT from Guthega Power station to Valentine's hut( and back ) over Easter 2018. There is water to drink everywhere.

[michnoon]

My wife and I are walking from Thredbo to Tharwa starting this Sunday 18 Nov. We have been planning it for a while and are looking forward to getting to the walking part!

When we get back at the end on November I will post an update on conditions, water etc

Regards Micknoon

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Due to fires in the area much of the KNP is now closed.

[Daveisbludging]

The northern section of the AAWT in the ACT is expected to stay closed until September 2023.

https://www.environment.act.gov.au/park ... ional-park

[Zapruda]

Namadgi is completely open now.

AAWT walkers can use the original route through the park right from the NSW border to Tharwa.


https://www.act.gov.au/our-canberra/lat ... dgi-reopen

[badd0g]

Namadgi is completely open now.

AAWT walkers can use the original route through the park right from the NSW border to Tharwa.


https://www.act.gov.au/our-canberra/lat ... dgi-reopen

Great news! Thanks for the link, I heard the news on radio this AM but couldnt find confirmation

[GBW]

Main Range walking track is closed from Wednesday 16 February until Friday 8 April 2022 between the Kosciuszko Summit walk and Blue Lake Junction. The track is closed for essential upgrades along multiple sections of the walk.
Main Range walking track between Charlotte Pass and Blue Lake will remain open.
The whole walk will be open to the public on the weekend of Saturday 12 March and Sunday 13 March 2022.

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/th ... cal-alerts

[paidal_chalne_vala]

The Foot track from Guthega Village to Charlotte Pass which follows the Snowy river and offers a
bad weather alternative route to crossing the Main Range above the treeline has been
completed with much signage
and expenditure on creating the track . I walked it from Guthega village to
The Illawong suspension Bridge in late August 2023.
The surface was icy and I wished I had put on my microspikes.

[crollsurf]

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is conducting aerial pest control operations in some parts of this park. Areas will be closed between 7am, Monday 11 November and 7pm, Friday 29 November 2024 (excluding weekends)...


AAWT will be closed south of the intersection of Valentines Trail and Schlink Pass Road to the Guthega Power Station.

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/vi ... cal-alerts



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