Lower Portals Mt Barney

[Angus]

Looking at going up Barney the back way past lower portals, but are sick of having to walk the lower portals track. I know that there is a fire trail that goes to it. Does anyone know not long it takes along the fire trail and how far away you have to park the car?

[ofuros]

Only 2 easy access points to the backside of Barney that I know of...
The Lower Portals track or Cleared Ridge via Waterfall Ck road.
There's a track joining Cleared ridge & the Lower Portals with offshoots heading for the Upper Portals, the camp area & the Lower portals. Mostly downhill walking from Cleared Ridge.

[Aardvark]

Cleared Ridge is really 4wd access.

[Angus]

Is it possible/ easier to walk in from the end of the fire trail at (-28.2473345, 152.7000036)?

[Aardvark]

What map are you using?

[Angus]

It’s naked as an unnamed road on google maps, and is also somewhat visible in the satellite map.

I vaguely recall there being some trail coming in from the back of the lower portals campsite, so I thought it was worth investigating.

[Aardvark]

I think you're venturing into private property. A large portion of the north side of the Lower Portals track is emphatically signed as private property, which has only increased over time. I've no doubt a track would follow downstream of the campsite. As for a trafficable fire break, i doubt it. I see many a road on google maps which has peaked my curiosity but in reality it has represented another time. Looks like you need to investigate it and take it on as knowledge you can provide to others.

[ofuros]

The 4wd drive track downstream of the lower portals campsite, beside the creek, past the bushwalking club hut, ends up at the old Drynans hut on Drynans Hut Rd through private property.

You can park your car at the end of Drynans Hut Rd, cross Barney Ck & either head off along a ridge to Mt May via Paddy's Peak or a backdoor climb up to Mt Maroon. Which doesn't help you...

Last edited by ofuros on Tue 11 Jun, 2019 7:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Angus]

OK, thanks for the advice.