Since 2006 we’ve held an annual Easter walking weekend at one of our Lodges. In 2023 we moved it forward to avoid the crowds and to allow Kahane to be used by other members during the Easter/school holidays.
We had a full lodge of 40 members covering all levels of fitness and walking experience. We didn’t get the expected ‘bluebird’ days but still managed some fabulous walks.
Again, as in 2022 we were fully catered, this year with Bridgette assisting Tony in the kitchen. Many thanks for all your support.
The whole weekend was enjoyed by everyone and at our Saturday meeting we agreed would maintain a similar early schedule in 2024.
Friday 24 Mar 2023. Walk to the old chairlift and restaurant ruins.
This was the introductory walk for our weekend program.
Ron Giles led a party from Charlotte Pass out to the Old Restaurant. Due to works on the Stillwell track, we had to ascend via the track behind the lodges. The return trip took us on a wide loop below Mt Stillwell for a certain distance after which we rejoined the outbound track down to the Village.
Weatherwise, this was one of our best days and a great adventure for those who had never been out to see the ruins. This is a really interesting part of Charlotte Pass history. The story of the chairlifts and restaurant is one of underestimating the power of the elements. The mammoth undertaking of successfully completing the construction of lifts at this location was utterly undone by severe blizzard conditions in 1964. The lift system could not cope with the Nature’s forces, and after repeated incidents and in financial difficulties, it was abandoned in 1965.
Fortunately we had pleasant conditions for our walk: despite forecasts of almost certain rain, the day was perfect with a mild cool breeze and cloudless skies.
Distance covered was about 6 km.
Saturday 25 Mar 2023. Walk to Spencer’s Creek suspension bridge and return.
We had two groups today. Some attended a small memorial service on Rex’s Run at Charlotte Pass to remember Sue Davies who passed away late last year.
A second group did a return walk from Charlotte Pass to the Spencer’s Creek bridge on a section of the “Iconic Snowies Walk”. This is a fabulous walk, opened in 2022, that gives easy access along the Snowy River providing some great picnic spots near the junction with Spencers Creek.
The turn-around destination and lunch stop was the Guthega side of the suspension bridge.
Several rain showers had walkers reaching for wet weather gear, but on the whole the day was dry, albeit with limited long-distance vistas.
Distance covered was about 12 km.
Sunday 26 March 2023. Charlotte Pass to Perisher walk.
Just about all of our number set off for the trek along a new section of “Iconic Snowies Walk”, this time from Charlotte Pass Village down to Perisher via the Porcupine Rocks.
This track has been in place for only about 2 years and is still a work in progress in places. Recent new work includes long stretches of raised metal boardwalk and granite flagstones. The NPWS have done an incredible job building this track. From The Pass it heads towards Sugarloaf before crossing the valley then up into the snow gums coming out at the Trapyard saddle. After enjoying the views to the Alpine Way, we started a gentle climb north for more snow gums and alpine views.
Some walkers made a small detour to scale Porcupine Rocks and take in the distant views. The actual approach to the Porcupine Rocks from the south is an amazing 3 - 4 km. You will have to walk it to appreciate the area.
The weather was kind today - cool breeze and mostly overcast but with sunny periods.
This walk is definitely recommended for all our members. Whichever direction you walk this track, you’ll be impressed with the views and with the mighty work that’s been done by NPWS to make it accessible.
Everyone agreed that it was probably the best walk we’ve done.
Distance covered was about 12.5 km.
Monday 27 March 2023. Thredbo River picnic area to Gaden trout hatchey, then Pallaibo Track.
A small group drove down the Kosciuszko Road to the Thredbo River picnic area and walked the couple of kilometres to Gaden Trout Hatchery for morning tea.
After that, we walked along the Pallaibo Track to the rest area at Sawpit Creek and return. There were a few shy kangaroos in the bush next to the track.
This is a beautiful piece of bushland. It was easy walking along moderate grades and a few climbs into and out of Sawpit Creek crossings. At certain high points there were distant views of Lake Jindabyne.
By all accounts there were persistent showers at Perisher today, but our group today encountered not a drop of rain.
Distance covered was about 13.5 km.
