Helicopter Spur

[tonyh]

Just a short note on coming down Helicopter Spur which my son and I did Cup Weekend. We are fairly new to bushwalking and weren't sure what to expect...

Got about half way down no problem and then we came to a bluff with a 50 foot drop on all sides, tried left then straight down the centre but realised it wasn't going to happen with one of us falling. We then back tracked about 20m to the right hand side and finally found a way down that was still tough but doable, just had to lower the packs down to be safe.

[houndsman]

Hello tonyh,
i have been doing research on different walks throughout this area... can you tell me exactly where the helicopter spur walking track starts and finishes and its approximate length and time?

thanks

[north-north-west]

Helicopter Spur is accessed from near Picture Point at the top - there's a short side track from the Bluff 4WD track a ways past Lovick - and from the Upper Howqua Camp at the base. From below, you follow a set of old 4WD tracks until you reach a smallish parking area at the end, and the track heads off from the left hand corner. The start was taped last time I was there, but not immediately obvious without a bit of looking.
It opens up quickly enough, but it's never anything more than a rough footpad.
The high sheer rocky bit is dodged to the left, you can zig zag up the steep hillside once away from the rocks. The lower one can be scrambled (even with a pack on) and the view from the top is neat.

Climbing Helicopter Spur

It's a good little climb from below, and you can do a really marvellous 2 day circuit by descending via Howitt Spur or Stanley's Name Spur.

[Bodysurfer]

The above advice is correct. Descending, the route is to the right of the bluff. Both times I've done it, however, I've gone straight down the bluff, but you need a rope for pack hauling & hanging on, as the exposure is enormous.

Other than that, Helicopter Spur is a very quick route off the range, not sure I'd want to go up it as it's pretty steep. A super round trip is up Howitt spur,bag Mt Howitt, visit Macalister Springs, camp somewhere on the track to Magdala then down Helicopter Spur. Fantastic.

[davids]

Its funny because I do a fair bit of walking in the area but usually approach from Licola as I live in Gippsland, so come into to the 'top' of the range usually at Mac Springs. I never do these type of circuits because it doesn't 'feel right' to walk down, and then back up! Or am I just lazy? Trouble is you then end up with some back tracking or car shuttling.

[houndsman]

What sort of time frame would i need to get from the car park on howitt out to the springs and down the howitt spur into the bindaree??

[north-north-west]

You could do that as a daywalk. Macallister Springs is less than an hour from the carpark unless you take the scenic route around the tip of Wonnongatta Spur. Macallister Saddle can be done in 20 minutes or so, but I always scramble over all the rocky bits and make the most of the views, which are amongst Victoria's most spectacular. From the far side of the saddle, Howitt's summit is around half an hour, and its West Peak - which is the start of the descent - just five more minutes.
The descent of Howitt Spur takes a couple of hours, from memory, then it's an easy ramble along the river to the camp/carpark.

[north-north-west]

Its funny because I do a fair bit of walking in the area but usually approach from Licola as I live in Gippsland, so come into to the 'top' of the range usually at Mac Springs. I never do these type of circuits because it doesn't 'feel right' to walk down, and then back up! Or am I just lazy? Trouble is you then end up with some back tracking or car shuttling.

Nothing lazy about it. I will never start a loop or out-and-back with a descent if I can avoid it. It's more sensible to do the hard bit at the start of the day rather than at the end when you're knackered.

[Thewaz]

Was wondering where good camping near the top of helicopter spur is. From what I can gather Hells Window is good but no water. Was thinking making our final day the decent down the spur to the car and would love to know where water is available for the final days walk. Thanks.

[JohnM]

There's a great spot in the saddle about 10mins further on from Hell's Window, with good access to water from Hellfire Creek.

[peregrinator]

The descent of Howitt Spur takes a couple of hours, from memory, then it's an easy ramble along the river to the camp/carpark.

According to notes I made seven years ago for that section, it took 01:20 to descend to the Howqua River, then 00:40 to Upper Howqua camp. Maybe you also did the whole thing in two hours. I reckon your memory might be better than mine though, because without the notes I'd have no idea how long it took!

[Thewaz]

Just completed Helicopter Spur, Mt Howitt Circuit camping at Hellfire creek last weekend. Wow, amazing 2 day hike. Helicopter spur was tough but a lot of fun. We went up it with full packs on our back. It took under 3 hours from the car to the top. Care has to be taken but very enjoyable. I would not want to come down the spur. The track up the spur was very noticeable, well defined.
Considering a dry hot summer, there was still a slight trickle of water at Hellfire Creek, enough to fill up.
If anyone interested in a full, detailed trip report, with heaps of pics visit thewaz19.blogspot.com. Or google Wazzas Walks.