This is Victoria's highest peak. The climb to its summit is
a very popular walk with local bushwalkers. The closest roads are to
the base of the mountain and it is a long climb from any direction.
From the north side the most popular track is the climb up Staircase
Spur. This starts from Mountain Creek and climbs steadily through
forest passing
the small Bivouac Hut. The climb continues to the treeline at the
knolls of Castor and Pollux and an open climb continues to the summit.
Another popular approach from the north is via Eskdale Spur. This
starts at the headwaters of Mountain Creek and passes Michell Hut and
meets the summit ridge 100m east of the top of
Staircase Spur. The summit ridge is a long C-shaped ridge of 6km.
This starts from West Peak then continues over the summit to the top of
Eskdale Spur, a short drop
into Hell Gap then a long ridge extends south to near Cleve Cole Hut.
Cleve Cole Hut is a solid stone shelter that was built to commerarate
the death of Cleve Cole in 1936.
Popular weekend walks are to climb one of the two northern
ridge to
Cleve Cole Hut then return the same way or by descending the other
northern access track. There are many other possible longer walks as
from the south good tracks link to the Bogong High Plains. One track
crosses the Grey Hills then descends to Bogong Creek Saddle then climbs
to follow a
specatcular rocky ridge over Quartz Knob to West Peak. The other track
passes Ropers Hut and descends sharply to cross Big River with the aid
of a chain then a steep climb leads to Cleve Cole Hut. For experienced
off-track walkers, Horse Ridge and Granny Spur and Little Bogong offer
some interesting untracked approaches or descents.
The Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) approaches from the
Bogong High Plains past Ropers Hut then up to near Cleve Cole Hut then
turns east and heads over Mt Wills. The summit of Mt Bogong is a must
do sidetrip for all those following the AAWT
Mt Bogong is located in north-east Victoria east of the town
of Mt Beauty. It towers over the town and dominated the view from the
highway as you approach the town.
The quickest tracks to the summit are from the northern side
via the Staircase Spur or Eskdale Spur. Both of these are long
gruelling climbs that take more than half a day each. Many continue pas
the summit to stay in or camp near Cleve Cole Hut.
The Outdoor Leisure Series, Bogong High Plains
1:50,000 is the
best map as it shows all tracks and also includes all of the nearby
Bogong High Plains
None are needed for bushwalkers.
