Winter Overnight Hike Recommendations

[JGB]

Hi,

I'll be visiting Melbourne in early July and am looking for recommendations for a 3 day winter hike.

I am planning to thru-hike the AT in 2020 and need to trial my winter hiking and camping gear.
So seeking a reasonably challenging walk with cold overnight temps, but not anything that needs special snow hiking gear (I'm not prepared for that yet).

I will be hiking alone (unless I can find a hiking buddy) and will have a car - 3-4 hour drive from Melbourne max.
One way hikes are ok if there is means to get back to my car at the start; otherwise prefer a loop.

Would appreciate all suggestions and feedback.

Thank you
JGB

[neilmny]

Something like this might suit you.
http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks ... ll-plateau
https://www.trailhiking.com.au/major-mi ... u-circuit/
It can snow but probably not enough to warrant actual snow camping gear. You will need to be prepared for below zero temperatures.
Most of the other wintery multi day bushwalks are in snow country at that time of year.

[CraigVIC]

Has the Major Mitchell Plateu reopened? The GPT update is a bit unclear.

[neilmny]

Has the Major Mitchell Plateu reopened? The GPT update is a bit unclear.

Fair question Craig but you can book and pay for First Wannon campsite so it should be shouldn't it..........incompetent handling of bookings by PV surely not

[JGB]

The Major Mitchell Plateau looks perfect.
Thank you for the recommendation.

[JGB]

Turns out I may not have as much time as I thought.
Leaning toward the Beeripmo Walk now. I can drive out from Melbourne in the afternoon (it's closer) and camp at Richards Campground. Get going early on the second day, walking reverse route (13km) to the Beeripmo campsite. Then it's only a half day (8km) walk out with time to get back to Melbourne on the third day.
Temperature predictions are similar to the Grampians - so hope to get near/sub zero nights.

[bernieq]

Not sure about your distance info, JGB - my recorded gpx of the track has (clockwise) Richards to BC (Beeripmo Camp) as 8.9km. The trip down from BC to Richards was 8.3km - 3.5hrs without pushing it.

[JGB]

Not sure about your distance info, JGB - my recorded gpx of the track has (clockwise) Richards to BC (Beeripmo Camp) as 8.9km. The trip down from BC to Richards was 8.3km - 3.5hrs without pushing it.

Distance info is from the FFM website notes. They include a side track to Mt Buangor Lookout; maybe that accounts for the extra distance.

I've looked into the possibility of doing extra kms each day on some of the other hikes and skipping a campsite. 16-20km per day is ideal for me. (A double of 20+ would be a bit too much)
But finding info about alternative campsites has been difficult.

[bernieq]

Good point - the side trip to the lookout and back is 4km.

In the direction you are planning, there are options to camp on or just off the track beyond the campsite - until you start the major descent to Richards. However, the campsite has toilets, water, fireplaces and is well sheltered from wind.

There is an additional loop (Paradise Walk) that you could add to the beginning of the first day (9km, but can be shortened somewhat).

[Heremeahappy1]

Baw baw plateau, close to Melb, access in 2wd, approach from Mt Erica or Mt St Gwinear. Overnight/multidays, explore and camp, just don't walk on groomed trails.

[ChrisJHC]

Beeripmo is really only a 2-day walk.
Leave Melbourne around 9am on Day 1. Drive to the start and hike to the campground.
Day 2 you'll be back at your car by mid-day and back in Melbourne by mid-afternoon.

You can, of course, add in extra legs if you want.

[Mutley]

+1 for Baw baw plateau. You can even do the first section of the AAWT, from Walhalla to Talbot ut site, which would be 2 easy days each way. There shoud be some snow on Mt Talbot. Or start at baw baw village and walk to Mt Erica ad return. Have done this in winter and its not arduous.

[JGB]

Beeripmo is really only a 2-day walk.
Leave Melbourne around 9am on Day 1. Drive to the start and hike to the campground.
Day 2 you'll be back at your car by mid-day and back in Melbourne by mid-afternoon.

You can, of course, add in extra legs if you want.

There is an additional loop (Paradise Walk) that you could add to the beginning of the first day (9km, but can be shortened somewhat).

I know it's a bit light on. I can add on some extra with Paradise Walk at the start - (thanks for the suggestion) - although the forestry app indicates the northern part of the loop is closed "due to safety concerns"
I haven't found a reasonable alternative yet. Still looking
Trying for:
Day 1 - leave Melbourne about 3pm - won't really be any time for hiking
Day 2 - hike (about 20km)
Day 3 - half day hike - back in Melbourne by 4pm

Baw baw plateau, close to Melb, access in 2wd, approach from Mt Erica or Mt St Gwinear. Overnight/multidays, explore and camp, just don't walk on groomed trails.

What is snow cover like up there in July? (I know it can vary) Just looking for multi-day hike, no snowshoeing. Have not found anything other than short tracks googling so far.

[Heremeahappy1]

Baw baw plateau, first snow in 2017 was July. This year last Thursday saw a good few inches, hard to tell what the season will be like, long range forecasts says a dry one. Generally walking on the plateau you wont posthole up to your waist, but without snow shoes prepare to get wet up to mid calf.

[Mutley]

Mt baw baw web cam here, no snow atm

http://www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/mo ... w/webcams/

[JGB]

Baw baw plateau, first snow in 2017 was July. This year last Thursday saw a good few inches, hard to tell what the season will be like, long range forecasts says a dry one. Generally walking on the plateau you wont posthole up to your waist, but without snow shoes prepare to get wet up to mid calf.

I'll keep an eye on conditions as we get closer. Baw Baw may be an option. Thank you.

[peregrinator]

JGB, if your time is limited, a key issue is the location from which you start driving in Melbourne. Will you be in the central area, or east or west from there? Please note that it takes forever to both exit from and then return back to Greater (if that's what you want to call it!) Melbourne in any direction through almost endless suuburbs. (Well, except south, unless you are geting on a ferry to Tasmania, but that is an even longer trip!) But particularly travelling east (i.e. to Baw Baw).

[JGB]

JGB, if your time is limited, a key issue is the location from which you start driving in Melbourne. Will you be in the central area, or east or west from there? Please note that it takes forever to both exit from and then return back to Greater (if that's what you want to call it!) Melbourne in any direction through almost endless suuburbs. (Well, except south, unless you are geting on a ferry to Tasmania, but that is an even longer trip!) But particularly travelling east (i.e. to Baw Baw).

Leaving from Caulfield, returning to Collingwood. Both fairly central.

[Watertank]

If you are looking for, as you say, a reasonably challenging hike then I don’t think Beeripmo makes the grade. I would call it a good introductory hike for people that haven’t done an overnight hike. I might be wrong, nor would I think it would get as cold as Baw Baw. I would suggest Baw Baw for your needs.

[hans tracksdorf]

BEERIPMO CIRCUIT @ MT COLE, Is a Jewel in Parks Vic Inventory. Good all year round.

[Orbita_Serenitatem]

I agree with Watertank - Beerimpo is a nice walk - did it last weekend and had a touch of snow Saturday late arvo - but for training and testing gear for the AT I'd go Baw Baw too.

[JGB]

Thank you all for your recommendations.
I ended up hiking out of Mt St Gwinear toward Baw Baw Village.
I did make a couple of mistakes along the way, but really enjoyed my hike & camping.
My trip report is here - http://www.trailjournals.com/journal/22426

[CraigVIC]

Great report. Good work overcoming a few hiccups and still having a good time.

[bigkev]

Thank you all for your recommendations.
I ended up hiking out of Mt St Gwinear toward Baw Baw Village.
I did make a couple of mistakes along the way, but really enjoyed my hike & camping.
My trip report is here - http://www.trailjournals.com/journal/22426

Nice report JGB, it's beautiful up there isn't it?

[JGB]

Nice report JGB, it's beautiful up there isn't it?

Yes, it is absolutely gorgeous.
I had great weather, the sun brings out the stunning colours of the snow gums.

[Moondog55]

Well written
Per the cold legs, try some synthetic of woollen shorts over the base layer and under the pants or do it properly and by some LW insulated pants with full side zips, also very useful as a sleeping system booster if the weather turns and the temperature drops. Sounds like you learned most of the important lessons in one trip