Bushwalk Australia

We did the Major Mitchell over the weekend as an overnighter. We left a car at Jimmy creek, rode bikes on the main road back to Sheephills, stashed them and walked clockwise over Mt William and the plateau back to the car, camping at 1st Wannon.

I haven't done the walk before so I can't say how much it has changed but I thought I'd put up some pictures of the new track anyway. Basically the track looks untouched from Mt William down to Boundary gap, then there is a lot of new stonework up to the plateau with steps replacing any scrambling that was there. Then across the plateau there is a combination of boardwalks, stone paths, stepping stones, footpads and bare rock. The descent off the plateau is untouched with a steep rocky descent and some minor scrambling. From the helipad to Jimmy creek there are many, many new stone steps.

All the new work looks pretty stark, but the older sections blend well as the vegetation has returned.

There are no new platforms etc at the camp.

It's still not a beginners walk, with lots of eyes on-the-ground rough walking remaining.

Mt William to the Plateau

Across the top

Coming down

Well, they stuffed that up nicely, didn't they?

A section of stone steps was installed on Mt Sturgeon last year. I'm guessing to prevent erosion from the anticipated crowds once the Grampians Peaks Trail is in full swing.
Haven't been up Mt Abrupt for a while to see whether anything has been done there.
*Edit: just been reading a local newsletter report re Mt Abrupt which refers to "reconstructed track done by contractors for the Grampians Peaks Trail".

The GPT completion date has been pushed back to 2020 now. All the bits and pieces dont add up to much yet, but it's coming and there's no changing that.

Within the context of that I think the MM plateau is probably okay. The scrambling is gone, but there are no lookouts, no hand rails, no metal stairs. As compromises go it leans more to bushwalking than straight tourism and still feel pretty remote on top.

We went up to the First Wannon crossing campsite from Mt. William for the day a couple of years back and it was quite scramble up the rocks to get there. If it has become easier/ safer then that can't be all bad.