Mount Feathertop this weekend

[kyubi]

Thinking of doing Feathertop this weekend, I'll be leaving after work on Friday and making camp by the car and then setting off Saturday morning for a Sunday return. I've never been there before and was hoping someone could suggest a route and good place to camp for an overnight hike, hoping to walk to the top of course. Any tips would be greatly appreciated

I will of course get a map of the area before I go, first hand information is always good though.

Cheers, Billy.

[north-north-west]

As Bon Accord is still not open, the only real options currently are the Razorback and/or Bungalow Spur.
Personally, for an overnighter, I'd bus/hitch up to Diamantina and walk in on the Razorback, then go down Bungalow the next day. There are plenty of places to camp - just about anywhere open and flat if the weather's calm enough, but limited water supplies. Most people camp near Federation Hut.

[kyubi]

Thanks! I'm trying to figure this out on the parks map but its a bit difficult, I'll pop into bogong in the city at some stage and buy a map as soon as I can.

I'm trying to figure out what the names of the bus stops would be so I can search for a timetable.. hmm

[Stew63]

From my understanding Bon Accord Spur reopened just before Christmas.

[north-north-west]

From my understanding Bon Accord Spur reopened just before Christmas.

Hmmm, I checked VP"s website a couple of days before and it still said closed, but anything's possible. If it is open, that's the best way to go - up Bon Accord, along the Razorback, camp near High Knobs (or at Molly Hills' if the weather's calm enough), then out to Feathertop and back down via Bungalow. It's a great little circuit, very photogenic, and a good two day workout.

[Stew63]

A colleague was up there about 7 days before Christmas and advised that Bon-Accord had been reopened but another update from somebody would be appreciated.

Another nice campsite (amongst the snowgums) but also near High Knobs is about ~200metres just down the Diamantina Spur track from the RazorBack junction.

[north-north-west]

Only thing I can find on PV's website is the Dec 12th update, which lists only one section of walking track still closed, and that's the AAWT from the Hotham Rd to the Murray Logging Rd.
Which is weird, because I last checked mid-December- definitely after the 12th - and Bon Accord was still listed as being due to be re-opened "post-winter".
Best to phone the local ranger.

[Kinsayder]

I'm sure you'll have a good time, Kyubi. It's a great mountain, although I'm not too sure about this time of year. Just be mindful of fire risks.

Does anybody know the status/accessibility of the North Razorback? I'm considering it for late March/early April.

[ryantmalone]

Thinking of doing Feathertop this weekend, I'll be leaving after work on Friday and making camp by the car and then setting off Saturday morning for a Sunday return. I've never been there before and was hoping someone could suggest a route and good place to camp for an overnight hike, hoping to walk to the top of course. Any tips would be greatly appreciated

I will of course get a map of the area before I go, first hand information is always good though.

Cheers, Billy.

If you cant figure out the public transport business, walking in and out from Diamantina Hut is an amazing walk. If you're looking for good solid ground to camp on, Federation Hut is perfect, and there are plenty of more secluded sites available away from the hut.

If you're up for an adventure, MUMC Hut is a hell of a spot, although camping is limited. Last year when I was there, I managed to squeeze in amongst some shrubbery, however the hut is perfectly comfortable. It's in my belief that the track to MUMC Hut is open, but further down NW Spur is closed.

Enjoy your trip! It's a hell of a place, and one of the best summits in the country.

[phillis]

slight change of subject, im interested in doing the feathertop loop just as the first snow falls. any idea what time of year that is approx? dont really want to lug snow shoes up there, but wanna see some pretty white stuff too!

[Lophophaps]

First snow? Easy. December. See:
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=15668

I've been on Feathertop in July with virtually no snow, and the same month in another year it took three hours of floundering to get from the Bungalow Hut site to Federation, our high point. I've been blasted by a snow-laden blizzard on Bogong in May, icicles on my runners. Brisk, very brisk indeed. Easter has seen 30-50 cm of snow on the High Plains - should have bought my old skis.

Snow can come at any time if the weather pattern is right and Jupiter aligns with Mars. You may fluke the conditions you seek, but that is all. I reckon May-June would be the latest for what you want. Going up and down Bungalow is as safe as you can get, at least up to Federation.