Leaders: Uwe
Participants: Graham, Geoff, Tony & Colin A.
The original plan for this trip was to be a 5-day exploration of the Alpine National Park with a brief sojourn into the neighbouring Kosciuszko National Park. Due to the Davies Plain Track being closed, the route was modified, and the duration reduced to four days. But the best laid plans…
One participant had to withdraw from the trip at the last minute due to personal commitments. Four of us journeyed to Omeo on Sunday to set up camp and have dinner at the pub prior to our early departure the next morning. The fifth vehicle joined us first thing Monday morning..
Monday 18th of March, Day 1
We gathered on a tranquil morning at the Omeo Caravan Park. Following the trip briefing we headed into Omeo township to gather some fresh goodies from a choice of two bakeries. After provisioning up we headed up through Benambra and onwards, airing down before turning onto Wild Bore Trk. Along Wild Bore Trk we stopped off to admire the view from Mount Sassafras.
We then turned on to Paddy Joy Trk and stopped for lunch at Wheelers Creek Hut which had excellent facilities.
Following a most enjoyable lunch break we continued on Cattleman Creek Trk then onto Dunstans Rd to Gibsons Hut. Another very good hut with good facilities and well maintained. We then continued on Dead Finish Trk and Walkers Rd to Mount Pinnibar Trk.
Mt Pinnibar Trk provided some challenging driving with some difficult ruts and steep sections. We stopped at Mt Pinnibar to admire the outstanding 360° views across the ranges. Some debate was had as to which peak was which and if the flat top of Mt Kosciuszko was to be seen.
We then continued on the final leg of the day down Mt Pinnibar Trk to Dogmans Hut on the Victorian side of the Murray at Tom Groggin. This section of Mt Pinnibar Trk was even more challenging than the track up.
It was slow going and some recovery action was required to get us all down to Dogmans Hut. We arrived at Dogmans Hut just as night was falling. We set up camp, made our dinners and retired for some much need sleep.
Tuesday 19th of March, Day 2
The day dawned grey and misty, but soon cleared to be another crystal-clear blue-sky day. But after yesterday’s long and difficult drive, and physically challenging recovery operation on a very steep and slippery slope, our spirits were still down. After much discussion and reviewing of alternative options, the decision was made to further curtail the trip and avoid the possibility of another recovery situation – we now only had one functioning winch in the group.
So, we headed out of camp along the Murray on Tom Groggin Trk to the Tom Groggin crossing where the river was about axle deep with a firm base of rounded river stones.
The Alpine Way was easy cruising to Geehi Hut and the delightful campground where we stopped for morning tea. At this point, Colin left us to head home by the most direct route with some mechanical concerns. The rest of us discovered that the crossing to the Geehi Walls Trail, our intended route, had locked gates either side of the river so yet again our plans had to be modified. Back on the Alpine Way, we continued north before turning west to Major Clews Hut.
Here we re-joined our interrupted route to Khancoban for lunch. I would describe the hamburger Tony attempted, but words fail me. All I can say is that the Suzuki had a noticeable lean to the right afterwards.
From Khancoban we turned west, crossing the Murray again (on a bridge this time), through Corryong, then south on the Benambra Road back to Omeo for another dinner at the pub.
The anticipated rain finally arrived, meaning a wet tent pack-up in the morning. At least it was a change from the thick dust we had experienced for the past two days. By this stage we had all decided to call it quits so, in the morning, we headed our separate ways home.
Thanks for organising this trip, Uwe, and for your flexible leadership under trying circumstances.
Text & photos: Colin and Graham.