RamsHead Range to Charlottes Pass Track

[ryantmalone]

I was looking at Google Earth recently, planning for around 5 - 6 days that I'm going to be spending up at the Main Range in late Feb, and spotted what appears to be a track that links the summit track from just below Koziusko Lookout, with the Charlottes Pass track, crossing the Snowy River along the way. Thought this would be a lovely place to spend a final night after coming off the Ramshead Range.



Question - has anyone walked this track before? Does the track still exist, and is water reliable along this stretch, or is the Snowy generally dry this high up.

Not that I'd be that worried about going off track (I'll be coming off the Rams Head Range on the same day), it would be nice to know, so I don't spend too long looking for a track if it doesn't exist anymore.

Cheers!

[Tony]

Hi ryantmalone,

I will walking on that particular track next Saturday, I have done the track before but it was in winter, on snowshoes with lots of snow, the track is clearly marked by orange snow poles, I am not sure of what water is around in summer in that area but I can give you a report in about a week.

Tony

[ryantmalone]

Hi ryantmalone,

I will walking on that particular track next Saturday, I have done the track before but it was in winter, on snowshoes with lots of snow, the track is clearly marked by orange snow poles, I am not sure of what water is around in summer in that area but I can give you a report in about a week.

Tony

Ahh great, wasn't sure if it was an existing track, or one that they left to overgrow or not. Good to know its an actual route.

Would be great to know what camping would be like near the river at the halfway mark as well.

[Tony]

[quote="ryantmalone"

Ahh great, wasn't sure if it was an existing track, or one that they left to overgrow or not. Good to know its an actual route.

Would be great to know what camping would be like near the river at the halfway mark as well.[/quote]

Hi ryantmalone,

I will check the area out and take a pic for you if I can, but I am sure there will be plenty of good tent sites as it is fairly flat around there. Both times I have been in that area of the Main Range, it has been foggy with nearly zero visibility, I am hoping for better conditions this time.

Tony

[wildwalks]

NPWS request people do not use this snow poleline in summer.
In winter it is covered in snow and is a well used track for ski and snow shoes.
When there is no (or thin) snow, walking this area damages the very fragile bogs.
NPWS staff remove the snow poles at Merritts Creek end to discourage people following the route.
This is not a blanket rule about walking off track, but there are a few particualry fragile areas on this route.

I obvioulsy would discourage you from using this particular route.

Matt

[ryantmalone]

NPWS request people do not use this snow poleline in summer.
In winter it is covered in snow and is a well used track for ski and snow shoes.
When there is no (or thin) snow, walking this area damages the very fragile bogs.
NPWS staff remove the snow poles at Merritts Creek end to discourage people following the route.
This is not a blanket rule about walking off track, but there are a few particualry fragile areas on this route.

I obvioulsy would discourage you from using this particular route.

Matt

That sounds fair enough. Probably explains why there is not much info on the track available online.

[PiniPowPow]

If you are keen on an alternative you could drop of the back of The Ramshead into Swampy Plains and check out Cootapatamba hut. I did this on Saturday (from Rawsons) really nice country and well away from the day walkers.

[ferozious]

I walked this (the Snowy River Ski Pole Track) back in summer 2007. I think there was a footpad for some or most of the way, but it was clearly marked with poles.

On the same trip, we planned on walking up to Etheridge Peak from Rawson Pass but came across signs saying "Rehabilitation Area". We spoke to the NPWS guy who was there at the time and he said it should be ok if we keep to the thick, tough, grassy areas.

The vegetation is very fragile there so it is important to know where you should and shouldnt step if you are going to walk off track.

[WarrenH]

Two week ago, I made a submission to KNP's Senior Ranger, requesting a ruling on taking MTB into Kosci on walking tracks. I secifically refered to the Etheridge Ridge track, not just riding on management trails and the usual OK bike routes or on the BNT. I referred to the the recently released NSWNP&WS Cycling Policy about what is considered to be riding a bike. I got a ruling from the Senior Ranger of Kosci' on the same day, that now allows MTB's to be hiked on walking track, anywhere in Kosciuszko NP. The info being given out to MTB's in Kosci now, has changed. For the better.

Late Feb or in early March, I'll be on the elevated metal walkway hopefully, slowly enjoying the views. See you there on the Rams Heads ... when I ride from Canberra. Leaving in late Feb. I'll enjoy the walk.

No longer can walkers abuse we cyclists for hiking our bikes on walking tracks ... go refer to the Act. Only the NSW NP&WS Cycing Act cares, nowadays.

Warren.

[ferozious]

Hi Warren,

Just to clear things up, do you mean that you can carry a bicycle but not ride it if you are on the metal walkway or other areas in KNP where bike riding is normally prohibited?

I'm currently planning to apply to NPWS for a similar ride in Wollemi NP.

If doing a long, multi-day ride, it would be a bit of a drag to carry the bike and all the gear for certain sections of track.

[ryantmalone]

No longer can walkers abuse we cyclists for hiking our bikes on walking tracks ... go refer to the Act. Only the NSW NP&WS Cycing Act cares, nowadays.

Warren.

Just so long as youre paying park fees, and so long as part of what you pay is being used responsibly to reduce impact of people on bikes on walking tracks, honestly I couldnt care. Just so long as you respect that bikes can be quite dangerous when hurtling towards a walker, and that care needs to be taken.

I'll always hurl abuse at someone who puts me in a dangerous position.

That said... I've always thought about MTB up at Kosci. Looks like a whole lot of fun!

If you are keen on an alternative you could drop of the back of The Ramshead into Swampy Plains and check out Cootapatamba hut. I did this on Saturday (from Rawsons) really nice country and well away from the day walkers.

I did give some thought to this. Not sure if I'll have a huge amount of time to really explore the area though. Might keep it simple this time, and give myself a reason to come back again.

I walked this (the Snowy River Ski Pole Track) back in summer 2007. I think there was a footpad for some or most of the way, but it was clearly marked with poles.

On the same trip, we planned on walking up to Etheridge Peak from Rawson Pass but came across signs saying "Rehabilitation Area". We spoke to the NPWS guy who was there at the time and he said it should be ok if we keep to the thick, tough, grassy areas.

The vegetation is very fragile there so it is important to know where you should and shouldnt step if you are going to walk off track.

I've walked my fair share of tracked and off track routes across fragile terrain, and at all times, practiced an extreme amount of care avoiding fragile areas. I might give NPWS a buzz and have a chat to them about it before I do it.

Doing one thing and being careful is completely different to going against best wishes.

[WarrenH]

Ferozious, G'day.

Just to clear things up, do you mean that you can carry a bicycle but not ride it if you are on the metal walkway or other areas in KNP where bike riding is normally prohibited?

You can carry or push a bike (aka hike-a-bike) but we can not ride on walking tracks.

I'm currently planning to apply to NPWS for a similar ride in Wollemi NP.

Can I suggest that you run this by the Senior Ranger for the Region.

The NSW NP&WS Cycling Policy. The definition of cycling is on page 7, pushing a bike is not cycling. My interest is to walk or carry my bike and trailer between fire trails. Hiking the bike is the only option I have to link sections of track, those sections where riding is legal.

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resou ... ycling.pdf

If doing a long, multi-day ride, it would be a bit of a drag to carry the bike and all the gear for certain sections of track.

I go off road touring for several weeks at a time, being self contained if possible. If I spend a week or two, pushing or doing portage in parts of the trip, it is all good fun to me, just being outside. I'm a bushwalker, who rides a bike to go bushwalking. Others drive their cars to go bushwalking.

Warren.

[WarrenH]

ryantmalone, thank you Mate but I suggest that you seriously rethink your aggressive and patronizing comments. I found them dull and boring.

I certainly do not need to be told what I must do in a National Park, by you.

Warren.

[ryantmalone]

ryantmalone, thank you Mate but I suggest that you seriously rethink your aggressive and patronizing comments. I found them dull and boring.

I certainly do not need to be told what I must do in a National Park, by you.

Warren.

ummm... ok. :/

Sorry, I thought this forum was about being relevant, I am sorry if by stating the potential dangers associated with the irresponsible use of bikes on tracks that are predominantly used by walkers has offended you.

I thought this forum was about relevancy. Again, I'm sorry that my relevancy (and lack of entertaining ability) has offended you Warren.

[FatCanyoner]

Don't worry Ryan, Warren is known to make more than a few "aggressive and patronizing comments" himself on this forum!

Anyone would think us bushwalkers are a particularly cranky bunch if you only trawled bushwalk.com... maybe its because we're all a little edgy when we're stuck in civilisation and not in the bush!

[WarrenH]

Don't worry Ryan, Warren is known to make more than a few "aggressive and patronizing comments" himself on this forum!

Perhaps anyone interested should go back through my threads and make their own minds up ... rather than have a known cheerleader determining for all, what has happened. OK.

Warren.

[FatCanyoner]

a known cheerleader

I'm not sure that I'm known for my cheerleading abilities... although perhaps Warren was referring to this!

[ryantmalone]

Don't worry Ryan, Warren is known to make more than a few "aggressive and patronizing comments" himself on this forum!

Perhaps anyone interested should go back through my threads and make their own minds up ... rather than have a known cheerleader determining for all, what has happened. OK.

Warren.

Already done before this thread started.

Nice to finally cross paths with you Warren.