Merritts Nature Track, Dead Horse Gap Track and Thredbo River Track (Snowy Mountains and Canberra Trip)

Monday 16 December 2019 – 279 574

The short drive into Thredbo this morning allowed us to join several walks together to make a loop starting and finishing at Thredbo. 

https://www.thredbo.com.au/activities/hikes/self-guided-hikes/ 

We began with the Merritts Nature Track 

(http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-and-hiking-in-nsw/kosciuszko-np-south/merritts-nature-track.html) – a 4km track that climbs 560m to the top of the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift.  It was a steep climb in parts and took us past some much taller trees than we had seen in other parts of the park.  The bark came off in long curled strips that were remarkably strong – Hayden used one as a hiking pole for a while.

After morning tea at Eagle’s Nest, we took the Dead Horse Gap track.

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/dead-horse-gap-walking-track This is an extremely scenic area with a mix of low growing plants and wildflowers, mountain grasses and magnificent snow gums. I saw several plants that I had not previously seen, including Mountain Celery (Aciphylla glacialis) in flower.  We also saw many of the butterfly Macleay’s Swallowtail (Graphium macleayanum).

We then followed the Thredbo River Track back to Thredbo Village. 

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/thredbo-river-track This meandered near the Thredbo River, crossing it several times. The bridges gave some lovely views of the water tumbling over and around rocks.

We had a look around Thredbo Village, which has a good amount of summer activity, mainly mountain biking.

After a very late lunch, we enjoyed a long(ish) swim. I spent some time exploring our campground.  A lovely setting – truly pretty.  

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/thredbo-diggings-campground

Cascade Hut Trail (Snowy Mountains and Canberra Trip)

Friday 13 December 2019 – 279 321

Today we did our first walk on the Thredbo side of Kosciuszko National Park.  We hiked from Dead Horse Gap to Cascade Hut. This was a pretty walk through grasslands and open woodlands with large numbers of many different types of wildflowers.  

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/cycling-trails/cascade-hut-trail  

We saw brumbies, including a foal.  Judging by the quantity of droppings there are many brumbies frequenting this area.  

The first 5km of the walk was uphill to Bob’s Ridge, followed by 5km of gentle downhill.  When we began the downhill, we met a lady who was approximately half was through walking the Australian Alps Walking Track and walked with her.  When we reached Cascade Hut, she continued.

https://theaustralianalps.wordpress.com/experience/aawt/

Cascade Hut is set in a lovely clearing above a creek.  It was a beautiful spot to rest for lunch.  After lunch, we retraced our steps and were able to admire the cascading stream as we descended the last 5km.  A very enjoyable walk.

View from Cascade Hut

A cold swim again this afternoon, and then some general organizing before dinner.