Main Range Track - Wilkinsons Creek

[wyndham29]

Hi all, planning on doing the Main Range track over Summer. I've done a little reading, and from what I've seen the track is pretty well marked, with the track notes off WildWalks being sufficient (don't worry, I've got a topo map just in case). The plan is to camp overnight in Wilkinsons Creek. I was just wondering, is the turnoff to the creek/ valley signposted?

[wyndham29]

May have answered my own question by reading the comments on WildWalks; seems it's not signposted. However, the comments were quite old so if anyone has more recent knowledge let me know

[Mark F]

Last time I was there it wasn't signposted. Signage is really is irrelevant as it is obvious that when you get anywhere into Mueller Pass that you can just turn west and wander down to the creek. There is an old 4wd formation that skirts the north-western side of the ridge running off Koscuiszko as it descends towards the creek - the start of this is not obvious if walking along the track or maybe I am blind . This leads to some exposed but nice sites at the creek edge while there are a couple of more sheltered options a bit further up and away from the creek in the lee of a couple of large rocks.

Do treat the water as many people camp in the area.

[wyndham29]

Last time I was there it wasn't signposted. Signage is really.....

Thanks mate, good to know! Yeah, I thought it was going to be fairly busy, based on the day we're there, so we'll definitely be treating the water I think.

[Lophophaps]

The Main Range Track is a four lane highway.

There's an on-off pad-track from Muellers Saddle (no signpost) all the way to Townsend. Once past level with Muellers Peak there's a few terraces high in the valley with water, reasonable camping. It's important to camp in the lee of rocks, preferably on the east or south side. Last time I was there I had big rocks very close on three sides (one guy rope was hooked over a rock) with a fourth side a few metres away. it was very windy. Step outside the tent site and i was nearly blown over.

[north-north-west]

The Main Range Track is a four lane highway.

There's an on-off pad-track from Muellers Saddle (no signpost) all the way to Townsend. Once pastlevel with Muellers Peak there's a few terraces high in the valley with water, reasonable camping. It's important to camp in the lee of rocks, preferably on the east or south side. Last time I was there I had big rocks very close on three sides (one guy rope was hooked over a rock) with a fourth side a few meters away. it was very windy. Step outside the tent site and i was nearly blown over.

It's very good camping up that way, far better than down by the creek in my opinion, but be sure to pitch (and dig catholes) below the track to Townsend. Above the track and over the ridge is all considered to be part of the Lake Albina catchment where camping is prohibited.

[crollsurf]

As others are alluding to, there are a lot better camping spots than Wilkinsons, mainly because others provide spectacular views. From my ski touring days, Wilkinsons was known as a site that offered some protection in bad weather. So unless the weather is bad, I would recommend elsewhere. My favourite is off Twynam, in the headwaters of Strzelecki Creek, overlooking the Sentinel. There is a protected spot there also, just before the creek drops away into the valley.

[Zapruda]

My favourite is off Twynam, in the headwaters of Strzelecki Creek, overlooking the Sentinel. There is a protected spot there also, just before the creek drops away into the valley.

Shhh keep that spot secret

Truly, one of the best places to pitch a tent on the whole main range.

[rcaffin]

The Main Range Track is a four lane highway.
There's an on-off pad-track from Muellers Saddle (no signpost) all the way to Townsend. Once past level with Muellers Peak there's a few terraces high in the valley with water, reasonable camping. It's important to camp in the lee of rocks, preferably on the east or south side. Last time I was there I had big rocks very close on three sides (one guy rope was hooked over a rock) with a fourth side a few metres away. it was very windy. Step outside the tent site and i was nearly blown over.

WilkinsonCkSnowSmall.JPG (46.23 KiB) Viewed 7767 times

Well, yes, today it is a bit of a highway. And the turnoff into W valley is a bit more obvious too.
Those are the really big rocks at the bend in the creek, with Townsend in the background.

Cheers
Roger