Goulds Sugarloaf

[stu]

Anyone been out to Goulds Sugarloaf with pictures they'd like to share?
I'd like to go in via the Cuvier Valley track to Coal Hill then to Goulds SL;
just wondering if this is possible as a weekender (ie. 1 nighter or best to allow 2 nights & maybe base camp at Lake Petrarch)?
Happy & able to do long days to get the job done
Any idea what the camping is like on the tops in this area, ie. camp at or near Coal Hill?
I'd guess water would be a little scarce?
This is one of the only areas I haven't yet been to in the Reserve so pretty keen to have a little adventure in there this summer.

Cheers.
Stuart.

[ollster]

Uh oh. This doesn't look good...

[stu]

I know you don't like the Cuvier Valley Oll; just leave the pink cup cakes at home, they're no good for team morale anyway.
Not sure when I'm going to fit this one in anyway, a fairly full walks programme at the moment;
maybe between Southern ranges & Spires trips (ie. mid January?).

[ollster]

I know you don't like the Cuvier Valley Oll; just leave the pink cup cakes at home, they're no good for team morale anyway.

I think the area needs another arsonist in there.

Yeah, I'm not a fan, but I'd go anyway...

[stu]

I think the area needs another arsonist in there.

ouch....

[ollster]

I think the area needs another arsonist in there.

ouch....

Ain't truth a b****.

[Robert]

Went there last year leaving from Cynthia bay to Narcissus then via Mt. Byron. Very scrubby, taking a full day to reach the plateau just below Mt. Cuvier. Water available here and good campsites. A walk out to Goulds Sugarloaf via Coal Hill and return over Little Sugarloaf to above camp can be done fairly easy in one day. Beautiful area and scenery. Sorry no photos as all mine are on slides.

[stu]

Thanks Robert.
I have been in via that route (over Byron) to Cuvier then on to Manfred & back to Narcissus via the Lake Marion track.
Think I'll go via the Cuvier Valley this time as I haven't been all the way through that way & i've heard Lake Petrach is very nice.

[Robert]

Sounds great. Hope you have a good time.

[Beeper]

A 3 day trip would be best, to allow enough time. The cuvier valley track is more or less closed so you could have problems with a degraded track etc. From lake petrarch (northern end) you can make a beeline straight for Coal Hill. this is the best option. The scrub etc is acceptable, plenty of camping and water on the broad ridge up to Goulds SL, going over Byron/Cuvier makes for a lot longer and harder trip. From Coal Hill, Goulds is a comfortable day trip with plenty of time for exploring.

[Son of a Beach]

The Cuvier Valley track is no longer maintained so is very overgrown on the southern section and virtually non existant through the button grass plains section. But I enjoyed the walk and loved lake Petrarch. I don't know abou Goulds etc

[Vee]

Hi Stuart
Here are some old pictures I have scanned.

This is looking SW towards Goulds SL from ridge past Coal Hill.

Looking from the summit of Goulds SL NW.

Looking NE from summit of Goulds SL. You may be able to see the saddle south of Cuvier where there are some small tarns.

Hope this post turn out ok. It's my first attempt at posting pictures. All credit to tasadam for help and encouragement if it does!!!

[ILUVSWTAS]

Well done Vee (and Adam, who we're all waiting to hear from regarding his trip off topic)
Nice pics showing the area, Looks delightfully open and easy walking!

[Vee]

Phew what a relief the pics came up!!
Yes it is a really beautiful place. The walking along the ridges makes up for the button grass of the Cuvier Valley!

[stu]

Thanks Vee, yes, great photos of a magnificent area.
The walking looks very easy & open, 'A' grade off track walking indeed
I remember looking across at that long ridge to Goulds from Byron the first time I was up there,
the runnels /channels that you can see in your photos looked like giant car tracks, it's obviously very low heathy vegetation.
Thanks again for sharing

[north-north-west]

*Adds another one to the 'to do' list . . .*