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hikes...
[click on the images below for a closer look, opens a new window]
Skyline Trail, Jasper National Park, Canada
[alpine meadow]
[scree slope]
[ridge walk]
[the view] |
The Skyline Trail, with more than half of the route above the tree line, is probably the most popular hike in Jasper National Park. The trail stretches 45km, from sub-alpine forest through high alpine meadows, reacing a peak of elevation of 2510 at the infamous Notch.
The effort-reward ratio on this hike is definite skewed in favour of the later. For comparitively little elevation gain this route provides some amazing views, including Mount Robson and other peaks of the Columbia Icefields and the Victoria Cross Range as well as the town of Jasper and the Athabasca River Valley.
The high elevation, does have its drawbacks as we were snowed and hailed on during the first day and overnighted in sub-zero temperatures, this is of course in the middle of summer!
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[hike details]
Duration = 3 days
Distance = 45 kms
Start = Maligne Lake
Finish = Maligne Canyon |
West Coast Trail, Pacific Rim National Park, Canada
[log bridge]
[rock shelf]
[cable car]
[Tsusiat falls] |
Recommended for experienced hikers only, we embarked on our biggest hiking challenge yet, a 75km trek along the rugged West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island.
In bygone years the trail served as a telegraph route and also a path for shipwreck survivors to crawl their way back to civilisation.
There were challenges aplenty with slippery logs across deep ravines, rotten board-walks, 35 sets of ladders (up 200ft high), 108 bridges, tidal waters threating to engulf the pathway, large boulders, mud pools and tangled tree roots.
We made the journey unscathed, despite some other groups falling by the wayside with broken ankles, sickness and being trapped by the tides. The rescue helicopter was often seen and heard flying overhead.
In an area known for its vast quantities of rainfall, we had wonderful clear weather with regular periods of warm sunshine. We passed our time on the coast line watching the waves, the whales and the seals and playing with the crabs, staying each night on a different stretch of unspoilt beach.
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[hike details]
Duration = 7 days
Distance = 75 kms
Start = Gordon River
Finish = Pachena Bay |
Berg Lake Trail, Mt Robson Provincial Park, Canada
[Mt Robson]
[marmot]
[Robson Glacier]
[Reef Icefield] |
The Berg Lake Trial, is a world renowned hiking destination. This hike has everything ... it starts in a lush river valley, and at its highest elevation - 1600m higher than the starting point - reaches a mountain pass overlooking a massive icefield (at 2410m).
The walk takes you past a series of magnificent waterfalls, tranquil mountain lakes and four awesome glaciers. You pass through a tropical rainforest, fields of beautiful wildflowers, and climb to the "alpine" zone above the tree-line.
Of course blisters are an unwelcome bonus, but we'd both do it all over again without hesitation - this was easily the most inspiring hike we have been on!!
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[hike details]
Duration = 3 days
Distance = 58 kms
Start = Mt Robson Visitor Centre
Finish = Mt Robson Visitor Centre |
Mount Feathertop, Alpine National Park, Australia
[the hikers]
[the view] |
Mt Feathertop, Victoria's second highest peak, is best known for its classic alpine appearance. At a height of 1922m Mount Feathertop enjoys a thick blanket of snow during winter and offers some spectacular walking during summer.
The route from Diamantina Hut, near Mount Hotham, follows a high-level ridge known as the Razorback. Spectacular views are enjoyed for most of first day, particularly at the top! The descent to Harrietville is quite steep, but is made all the more enjoyable, knowing that you avoided having to go up this way as well. |
[hike details]
Duration = 2 days
Distance = 23 kms
Start = Diamantina Hut
Finish = Harrietville |
Lerderderg Gorge, Lerderderg State Park, Australia
[Lerderderg River]
[hazards] |
In some of the most rugged country near Melbourne the Lerderderg River has eroded a 250m deep gorge along the edge of the Ballarat plateau. This walk follows the river, initially along the 'east walk' and thereafter along a poorly defined pad along the river banks.
We expected it to be a challenge, but what we met was a tangle of overgrown, spiky noxious plants, which very effectively hindered any reasonable progress. After travelling about 12km on the first day, we turned back leaving the remainder of the 'gorgeous' gorge for another day. |
[hike details]
Duration = 2 days
Distance = 29 kms
Start = O'Briens Crossing
Finish = MacKenzies Flat |
Lake Tali Karng, Alpine National Park, Australia
[Lake Tali Karng]
[Wildflowers] |
Arguably one of the most popular walking destinations in Victoria, Lake Tali Karng is a sparkling, cool and refreshing lake set amid tall timber and perched 850 metres above sea level.
The lake itself is so well hidden that is was only first discovered by the aboriginals in the early 1800's. As you can see we enjoyed water views from our tent and even braved the chill water for a quick dip. |
[hike details]
Duration = 2 days
Distance = 29 kms
Start = McFarlane Saddle
Finish = McFarlane Saddle |
Source of mighty Murray River, Alpine National Park, Australia
[Limestone Hut]
[the Murray River] |
Buried in the highlands of far east Gippsland, a little to the north of the Cobberas Mountains, are the beginnings of the mighty Murray River. A crystal clear stream bubbling from the southern slopes of the Pilot beginning its long journey to meet the Southern Ocean in South Australia
This is definitely 'Man From Snowy River' country with old stockmans huts and wild brumbies aplenty. |
[hike details]
Duration = 4 days
Distance = 56 kms
Start = Limestone Ck
Finish = Limestone Ck |
the "Prom", Wilsons Promontory National Park, Australia
[Refuge Cove]
[Sealers Bay] |
White sandy beaches and rugged forest clad peaks with sheer granite outcrops help make the 'Prom' one of Victoria's favourite camping areas. Wilsons Promontory is also the southernmost part of mainland Australia.
Without doubt this is a very special place. We have walked the circuit joining Oberon Bay, Waterloo Bay and Sealers Coves and also walked down to the Lighthouse and followed the new track linking the lighthouse to Waterloo Bay and the circuit track. |
[hike details]
Duration = 4 days
Distance = ?? kms
Start = Tidal River
Finish = Mount Oberon |
Mount Difficult Range, Grampians National Park, Australia
[view from the top]
[time for a break] |
The contorted landscape of the Mount Difficult range includes rugged gorges, tall cliffs and many waterfalls.
This circuit walk included most of the interesting features on the Mount Difficult range. Despite the name the walk was quite enjoyable. |
[hike details]
Duration = 2 days
Distance = 23 kms
Start = Troopers Creek
Finish = Troopers Creek |
Mount Darling Range - Wonnangatta Valley, Alpine National Park, Australia
[snow!]
[water at last!]
[thanks fellas!]
[what a view] |
[Susanna was so moved by this walk that she felt compelled to write the following email...]
We headed out of Melbourne in two cars towards Tralgon and then north towards Licola & the Alpine National Park. That's when the fun started ....
Paul's car started to overheat as we ascended the mountain. The radiator had sprung a leak & we had to stop to fill up the water every few minutes or so. Eventually we decided to desert his car at the next bush carpark & all crammed into the little Corolla to get to our hike departure point.
On the way, the car was pelted with rain, sleet and hail, but we pressed on. Finally made it to the departure point ... only running a couple hours late .... and were greeted by a fall of snowflakes. Beautiful, but a little chilly!!! Ever the optimists and with the weather forecast of sunny weather the next couple of days to bolster us, we decided to commence walking.
Had an amazingly beautiful view across the mountains from Dimmey's lookout and then it was time to descend into the depths below. Decided to take a more direct "shortcut" as advised by the book ["Victoria's Alpine National Park - A Bushwalkers Guide" by Siseman], rather than follow the winding path. Began to wish we hadn't as we slipped down steep inclines, the sun began to fall and we still hadn't rejoined the main track. Finally rediscovered the track with about half a hour to go before sunset .... supposedly a 4 wheel drive track (according to the book & the latest maps), but it we found it so overgrown, that we guessed it hadn't been used for vehicles for at least 5 years. At this stage we still had about 2 km's of walking to reach the planned camp site for the night, but there was no way we were going to reach it before dark. We pitched our tents in a nice clearing we found as the light began to fade.
Woke up the next morning to a beautiful clear day, with blue skies and sunshine. (It had bucketed down overnight). Packed up and we were on our way, trying to catch up on lost time. Once again found that the track notes had just *slightly* understated the track condition and the hike directions. We lost a couple of hours through missing a turn-off and having to back-track. Not surprised we missed it! What was shown as a 4wd drive track on the map, was now in reality a slight indent in the grass.
We began the ascent toward Mount Darling peak. Medium level? Huh! More like scrambling up rocks and bush bashing for km's on end. We gradually began to realise there was no way we were going to get to the planned second night's camp site by the end of the day. 5pm found us at the peak - finally! 1500m elevation. Amazing views, but can't say we were at our most appreciative, especially given that our total group water supplies had dwindled to a mere 600mL. The creek at the planned 1st night campsite had been dry and the next nearest water supply was over 4km away in Wonnagatta Valley (supposed 2nd night's camp). Well, once again, sunset was near ... we had to find a suitable campsite fast. Couldn't camp at the peak!
We began to descend. About 1km down, a level clearing appeared before our eyes in the dim light. This was going to have to be it. We quickly set up our things and built a fire to keep ourselves warm. It was a sombre, thirsty evening. No water to cook with, we had to content ourselves with tuna & corn on dry biscuits!! That night, I don't think I slept more than 30 minutes - it was freezing cold (1400m high in the Alps) that despite my high rating sleeping bag, inflatable insulating mat & the fact I was basically wearing all the clothes I had with me, I was still COLD.
Woke up to ice on the tents! Not that we minded ... WATER!!! We got going pretty quickly, motivated by the thought of the rushing river in the valley below. Followed a spur down .... the last section was so steep that I rather inelegantly slid down on my rear! We reached the valley at about midday & spent a glorious 30 minutes or so revelling in the abundance of water in the river. Funny how you really appreciate the basic things in life, after going without. We found a great number of people camping at Wonnagatta Station, not hikers like ourselves, but 4-wheel drive owners (hmmm ... intelligent people!).
Must admit that our morale wasn't at it's highest at this stage - we still had 18km's to go (to return to our car) and our scheduled finish time was that afternoon. Mmmm ... didn't quite add up - there was no way we were going to make it, but people were expecting us back in Melbourne that night. Decided it would be appropriate to try and get a lift back to our car. Like desparados, we approached campers, trying to organise a lift, but to no avail.
Well, there was nothing to do, but keep on walking. So with heavy hearts, we left Wonnagatta Station and started heading up the track, which happened to be a 4 wheel drive track. Every time we heard the crunch of a 4wd on the track, our hopes would rise and we would attempt to flag them down to plead for a lift. Most whizzed past, oblivious to our plight. As we went on, the track became more remote ... the vehicles became less frequent ... and our hopes sunk lower.
And then, out of the bush, they came! 3 young guys in their 4wd drive ute. They stopped when they saw us - for a bit of a chat. Asked us where we were going ... laughed and advised us we had "buckley's or none" chance of getting there tonight (well, we knew that!) ... and offered to drive us back to our car, tomorrow morning - and to camp with them in the meantime. Yay! Couldn't refuse that!
So, all 5 of us, plus packs, piled on the back of the ute, for a ride back to their campsite in the Valley. Love that 4wd experience ... wind in your hair ... no walking required! These guys were great (there were 5 of them in total) .... once we arrived at their campsite, they offered us beers all round, food, the lot! Couldn't believe our luck. The horror walking was over and now we had the afternoon to relax in this idyllic setting beside the trickling river. The 10 of us spent a relaxing night together. Then in the morning, it was onto the back of the ute for a 50km roller coaster 4wd ride back to our car. Loved it! So, 4 days after we started we arrived safe and sound back in Melbourne. |
[hike details]
Duration = 3 days
Distance = 38 kms
Start = Guy Hut car park
Finish = Wonnangatta River |
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