lake ironstone hut

[simmo]

Hi is there a quick way up to lake explorer and ironstone , many years ago i went to explorer ,and from memory we parked at lake mckenzie and walked to the end of the lake then crossed a creek that run into lake mckenzie.
Then we walked up through the gully onto i think it was snake lake.
am i on the right track or is there an easier way just thought we might go for a fish up there in fishing season
Cheers Simmo

[eggs]

We did that section as part of a longer walk.
See http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=3434&p=38425&hilit=mackenzie#p38077

I have not tried either the Higgs Track via Lady Lake or the Ironstone Track via Smoko Creek.
We were going pretty slow but going via lake Explorer we got to Ironstone Hut [~8 km] in 4 hours [in 2 sections] from Lake MacKenzie.
It was all pretty easy going - we went on the south side of Lake Explorer and then past Snake.
If you search this site I know SoB has some comments on the Fisher River crossing (doing it early where there are rocks and avoiding mud further up)

[sthughes]

Yep that is the shortest way. However at this time of the year you might find crossing the Fisher River very 'interesting' at best. Might be better going in on Higgs track via Lady Lake. You will need a GPS though as I imagine all the track markers will be well under snow at the moment.

If not in winter (or after rain) the Exporer Creek route is shortest and probably quickest. I found crossing the Fisher easiest right near the Lake. The Lake was full when we were there and after sticking close to the lake on the way in (very difficult) the rest of my party found a very easy route through a saddle to the south of the lake on an old bulldozer track on the return leg. I was ahead of them and took the low road around the lake and eventually found swimming in the lake easier (it was a beautiful summer day) than the scrub and little escarpments around the edge of it.

http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6313&p=77084

[Phil]

I've only been up Higgs Track past Lady Lake; about 4 hours I guess to Ironstone Hut if you go that way.

http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4949&p=59104&hilit=higgs+track#

[whiskeylover]

Just so nobody gets confused I thought I had better add that Ironstone Hut is on the shore of Lake Nameless not Lake Ironstone. I would personally take Higgs track if going up there, but it would depend on what sort of experience you are after. At the moment it would be a hard slog from Lady Lake Hut to Nameless, due to the snow, but then at least you have the option of spending the night at Lady Lake instead. Even with snow shoes it gets fairly soft and deep up there. I wouldn't even consider the other options in these conditions, unless you like to be cold, wet and miserable.

[Phil]

Just so nobody gets confused I thought I had better add that Ironstone Hut is on the shore of Lake Nameless not Lake Ironstone.

Good observation whiskeylover; this was what I was referring to in my previous post too.

[simmo]

well thanks everyone not heading up there just yet i was thinking next month maybe
but great tip about where the hut is thanks for that .
Ill work on the trip from now untill we go sounds like it should be a good trip.
Cheers Simmo

[Graham51]

I went up via Lady Lake a couple of years ago in September. There was plenty of snow about but we went to Ironstone Hut on our first day. Second day we went via Lake Ironstone to Walkleys Hut (is that its name) at the top of the Western Creek Track. The snow was really deep and falling through was the order of that day so it took a lot of time and energy, We climed mt ironstone which was also a challenge. Then we walked out via Western Creek Track. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone when the snow is melting. The river crossing at the top was bad enough but halfway down there was a rivere crossing halfway up a waterfall with a thin and dubious wire as security. In hindsight we probably should have retraced our steps but it turned out all right/ It was a memorable tip, though.

[Graham51]

A couple of pictures from our trip.

[corvus]

well thanks everyone not heading up there just yet i was thinking next month maybe
but great tip about where the hut is thanks for that .
Ill work on the trip from now untill we go sounds like it should be a good trip.
Cheers Simmo

G'day Simmo,
This is not a Snow trip by any means or by any Track unless you all have Snow Shoes and really good navigational expertise because when you are up there you have next to no shelter and no real track markers to follow.
Leave it for Summer when the fishing is better
corvus

[flyfisher]

Yep, wot e sed.

FF

[simmo]

I have taken this advice on board and now we will leave the trip untill summer thankyou
Corvus and FF for that valuble advice
Just one more thing is the fishing good up there and what would you use
Cheers Simmo

[flyfisher]

I think most methods would be successful up there but flyfishing is my chosen method , and polaroiding with a red tag or black spinner or caddis pattern is my preferred approach.

ff

[simmo]

Thanks FF im not the worlds best fly fisher but i give it a go i think i have only ever caught 4 on fly and they were all dry flys
and red tags are wet i think This is how much i know about fly fishing
Cheers Simmo