Overnite to Mt Mcleod, Mt Buffalo National Park.

Sunset on Mt McLeod

The wet and stormy weather for the days preceding the walk had us loading our packs with all of our wet gear and preparing for a stormy night in camp.

The wet weather in early September had also effect the Reservoir Rd, the damage caused by the rapid water flow required it to be closed to vehicle traffic, and this meant we had an extra 6km to walk.

So with our starting point moved to the Eastern end of the Reservoir Rd we donned our packs and headed off. The Reservoir Rd is quite flat so the walking was easy going and gave us a gentle warm up. Parts of the road still showed the damage from the huge rain fall in early September.

Stopping at the beginning of the Mt McLeod jeep track gave us time to enjoy our morning tea before heading off again. We only needed to walk a short distance up the jeep track before reaching the Eastern end of the Alternate Track this track takes a different route to the jeep track saving a climb and descent of 140 metres.
The Alternate track also provided us with a pleasant change to walking on the jeep track as the narrow foot pad contoured around. This section of track had two creek crossing one of which with the recent rain fall was little challenging. The Alternate track rejoins the Mt McLeod jeep track around 5km from the camp area and at an altitude of around 1200m.

The jeep track has a few steep sections, but as always these provided an opportunity to stop and enjoy the view and thus made these sections easy going. The views from this part of the National Park are no less spectacular than elsewhere in the park. Rocky outcrops of peaks such as Mt Dunn can be seen to the east. Plus as normal on Mt Buffalo we walk thru and around plenty of marvellous rock formations. Much to our surprise a bike rider court up with us and stopped for a brief chat before peddling his way to Mt McLeod.

About 5 hours from the cars we arrived at the designated minimal impact camping area. The camping area is situated at the southern end of Del’s Plain at and altitude of 1400m. The original plan had us heading up to Mt McLeod after setting up camp but after discussion we decided to relax and enjoy the beauty of the snow grass plain over a cuppa.

After a pleasant meal and lively conversation we headed off to bed with alarms set for an early start. It seems I had only just nodded off to sleep when the alarm went off at 4.45. With breakfast in our pack and head torches on we head off to see the sun rise from the summit of Mt McLeod. The climb up to the summit finishes with a rock scramble but the walk was well worth it we arrived in time to see the lights of Myrtleford, the sky turning pink above Mt Bogong, and mist in the valleys (if only I had brought the camera). We spent some time soaking in the beauty before consuming a light breakfast on the summit and returning to camp for the pack up and the walk back to the cars.

The return trip was via the same path as the day before, but as usual walking the opposite direct provides a whole new view to look at. The return trip was walk at an easy pace and had us back at the cars around 5 hours from leaving the camp site.

After all our concerns about the chance of thunderstorms, it never rained….

A not well pitched Integral Designs Sil Shelter

Kitchen

Mt Buffalo, South Buffalo View Point

The plan was to walk out to The Back Wall in the Mt Buffalo National Park. However the wet spring had made the track difficult to follow in places and the local Park Ranger advised against it. So the amended trip took us out to South Buffalo View Point.
This lookout like the Back Wall provides both views North to some of the classical Mt Buffalo location such as the popular climbing site The Cathedral. Whilst in the opposite direction the distinctive Mt Cobbler is visible, further round to the West the plains around Wangaratta can be seen and on a clear day the Warby Ranges are visible and the now de-commissioned Lake Mokoan.
The walk is quite easy with no long steep climbs and only a very small amount of rock hoping to get to the lunch spot. The distance is not very long at around 8km and could easily be extend by first walking out to Dickenson Falls before returning to the cars at the former Tatra Inn site and morning tea. This easy trip would add another 3km to the walk and provide views to the East.

Salisbury Falls, Wenhams Loop

I would not have thought I would be back at Salisbury Falls quite so quickly, but when the opportunity to walk with people from other walking clubs came along I could not pass it up.
Regardless of following in our foot steps from a few weeks earlier the bush still provided a different look and feel.
Whilst it had rain earlier in the week the track was a lot drier and there was less water coming over the Falls. This time instead of take the short route from Mt Warby to the Alpine View Track, we continued onto Lunch at Wenhams, (a drive in camping area). After lunch we continue north along the Friends track, stopping at Kwat Kwat lookout for the stunning views before reaching the Alpine View track. Towards the end of the Alpine View track we “attacked” by A Grey Fantail which we believe was protecting us from its nest, as I said at the start it’s always different.

Salisbury Falls and Mt Warby

Like the Moonlight track walk the recent rain heavy rains made this a completely different walk to the other times I have walked through here.
Salisbury falls which I have only ever seen with a trickle going over were running very well. After lots of photos we headed off up the track to the top of the falls it was here we stopped for our morning tea and to take in the views.
Following the track to Mt Warby provided us with more wide flowers, Grass trees and water to look at. The views from Mt Warby are limited but before reaching the summit the bush does open up to good views to the south, which provides a look at Mt Glenrowan from an angle which it is not normally seen.
After Mt Warby it was off down the Alpine views track this track provides some great views across the Ovens Valley towards the Alps’ the only problem is you also need to look were you putting your feet :) The Alpine views track eventually joins up with the Mt Warby track, it is then a simple natter of back tracking past the falls to the waiting cars.

Chick Hill and Moonlight track

The weather for this walk was quite cool with snow forecast down to 500m! However we were very lucky with only one short shower of rain requiring the putting on of rain jackets. The highlight of this trip had to be the water falls along Moonlight track, they provided plenty of photo’s for the group and a very pleasant spot to eat our lunch.

Long Range Track Mt Sugarloaf Eldorado

This area is only a few Kilometres from the Kangaroo Hill walk. Long Range track climbs up from Woolshed road to the Old Coach road, the views from this track differed to the Kangaroo Hill walk as they looked more towards Beechworth. The opposite ridge is the site of Police and Kelly caves, which would have provided both groups with a good view of the comings and goings in the Woolshed valley. Once reaching the Old Coach road we headed north to the start of Warners Track this led us to Mt Sugarloaf where we stopped for a well earned lunch. The return to the cars was a simple matter of following Warners Track. This track was a little steep in places but quickly lead us back down into the valley.

Kangaroo Hill Eldorado

Kangaroo Hill provides good views across the Plains of Wangaratta and around towards Milawa.
We accessed the hill by walking up the ridge line that starts near the ford on Woolshed Road. After enjoying morning tea we followed the ridge generally north. At a suitable point we then headed down a spur line to Clear Creek, we continued up stream a short distance to a set of falls for lunch. With the recent rains these fall had plenty of water.
After a pleasant break we headed off downstream, often swapping from one side of the creek to the other to get the best going. Clear creek runs into the Reedy creek, and near the junction we found a spot that was shallow enough for s to cross in bear feet, the near knee deep water was quite cool. After drying off and putting boots back on we set off again. After a short distance a well used track was found on the Eastern side of Reedy creek, this made waking quite easy and gave me time to reflect on the miners who would have also followed this track to and from the diggings to Eldorado. The trip was finished of with Ice creams at the Eldorado store.