summit walk/main range trail

This walk is rated hard and 22kms long. Start early (dawn) so you can get a park close by (only 20m parking in the actual car park so you have to park on the side of the road). You can start the trek via the Summit walk but we walked the Main Range track heading toward Blue Lake. This is a harder start but a much gentler finish. Walk has two river crossings with stepping stones and a smaller creek crossing also with stepping stones. There is a LOT of uphill walking to the summit but track is very well marked and significant stretches of paving in the first few kms. We had a perfect clear day but very windy and cold for the middle of summer. We had plenty of layers but next time I would be packing gloves and a scarf as well...and maybe thermals if you really feel the cold like I do.Views on this walk were spectacular in places IF the weather is clear. Being summer the wildflowers were in bloom. We reached the summit in around 5 hours with a snack break along the way and a number of stops for photos. Views from the top were great.One thing we noticed was that although the path was good and a lot of effort put into making it clear and easy to follow, there was no thought put into encouraging walkers to sit and enjoy the views at key spots. So no chairs, minimal interpretive signage. At the very top there is no chairs, one interpretive sign (text only) and the peak stone marker. I think this could really be improved a lot from a tourism perspective.The walk back to Charlottes Pass from the summit was 8kms and it was pretty much all downhill, so easy really. Toilets at Rawsons Pass are the only ones other than at the carpark at the start of the walk. It took us about 6.5 hours to complete and we are casual (not avid) walkers, reasonably fit and we didn't rush. I wouldn't do this walk unless it was a clear day. Take plenty of water and food.

We did this walk couple of weeks ago and I must say that it exceeded our expectations. Although initially we were a little bit hesitating because of the bad weather, in fact it turned to be one of the most beautiful experiences. The whole walk took from 10 am until 3 pm. In December the mountain peak was blanketed with flowers. The weather was very rough, constant 50km/hr westerly wind and temperatures close to zero. We booked in a guided tour and the guide we had was really a good one. She gave a lot of information about the flora and fauna of the place, so I recommend interested people to book this guided tour. A positive thing about the bad weather was that the walk was not too much over crowded and so it was pleasant to walk and to take pictures.

We did the Summit Walk from Charlotte's Pass which was 18km return. Recommended time was 4-7hrs, and we did it in 4.5hrs with at least 30min of being stopped. We were not as well prepared as other travellers in all their hiking gear, so make sure to come well equipped for the weather. It's an easy track, very slight uphill gradient as you go and nothing strenuous, it's only the length of the walk that tires you out. The Seaman's Hut is a great resting point. Toilets were provided 1.6km from the Summit. Seeing the Snowy River at it's beginning was pretty great. Still snow peaks covering spots on the mountains and it's November! Views from the top wonderful of course, and a great achievement to have completed it. No fee for the actual walk, but a fee to enter the National Park.

This summary is for the much easier 8km Summit Walk to Mt Kosciuszko from Charlotte’s Pass & back. It is only the easy half of the Main Range Circuit track which also starts & finishes at Charlottes Pass.It is a romantic idea thinking about hiking up the highest mountain on the continent. It is the only mountain out of the seven summits that can be conquered by foolish city people with no climbing experience. Better yet, it can be hiked in one day by most people in bad health, beer in one hand & ciggies in the other. The easy hike to the Mt Kosciuszko summit from Charlottes Pass can be broken down into 4 parts, reaching the Snowy River at 4.5kms, the Seaman’s Hut at 6kms, Rawson’s Pass at 8kms & the Summit itself at 9kms.From the car park at Charlottes Pass to the first waypoint the Snowy River, is on a fairly easy & even dirt track. The starting area is surrounded by bushes & short trees which thin out the further you get onto the track. There are some wonderful views off the side looking out over the steep valley where the Main Range Circuit track branches out & snakes its way up the mountain range towards Mt Kosciuszko & the mountains that make up the Great Dividing Range. In late Spring, as we walked along this track there was fresh water trickling down the side of the track which was icy cold & refreshing to wash your face in. The landscape on the other side of the track was littered with round volcanic boulders, spinifex & tors covered in lichen. You definitely feel the crisp air on your face which makes the leisurely walk very easy. At the 4.5km mark you come across a small concrete bridge over a stream which is the famous Snowy River, immortalised in Australian culture by Banjo Patterson, a bush poet & writer of Australia’s unofficial national anthem, Waltzing Matilda. His poem ‘The Man from Snowy River’ speaks of this unique Australian landscape & the wild horses that roam the area.From the Snowy River begins the steady rise of the path up towards Seaman’s Hut. This 1.5km section was not difficult to walk, we experienced very strong winds as we approached the Hut which was built as a shelter for hikers to rest in. The funds to build the hut were donated by the parents of Laurie Seaman who along with Evan Hayes perished in a blizzard in 1928 close to where the hut stands today. The old stone hut was a great place to shelter from the cold winds, it had wooden floorboards, a fireplace & some benches to sit around & rest in. The 2kms to Rawson’s Pass is further up a slight rise but nothing crazy, the landscapes of the Australian Alps at this point were amazing & only unique to this part of Australia, i could see the path leading back to Charlottes Pass in the distance & the Great Dividing Range-the world's 3rd longest mountain range at 3,500kms surrounding our path to the summit. If not wearing a wide-brimmed hat or sunscreen this high up you will start to feel the irritation on your skin from sunburn. We noticed larger chunks of granite rocks all along the side of the track, some we kept as souvenirs as their shapes & patterns were interesting. Halfway to Rawson’s Pass we also realised for the first time which peak was actually Mt Kosciuszko as we saw people slowly making their way to the top, this was an exciting moment as we stood there thinking that the sight in front was the highest point on the continent. Rawson’s Pass is the crossroads where day trippers from the 6.5km Kosciuszko Walk via the Thredbo express chairlift meet up with our trail from Charlotte’s Pass. The main feature here is a modern toilet facility built into the mountain side to shield it away from strong winds, it is considered Australia’s highest dunny. This is also the point where cyclists must leave their bikes at the designated bike racks.The last kilometre from Rawson’s Pass to the Mt Kosciuszko summit is fairly easy as the trail leads you onto Mt Kosciuszko for the first time. During November, there was snow covering the path zig-zaging up to the summit. A steady stream of hikers before us had forged a path thru the snow which was great. Looking over the side of the snow path on the actual Mt Kosciuszko was a steep slope but if you can tough it through this 20-30 metre part you will soon be walking up a concrete path all the way to the summit. Somewhere here is also a path that is connected to the much more adventurous Main Range Circuit trail that completes the 20km trail also starting from Charlottes Pass. The views from the top of Australia are rewarding as is the sentiment of the summit being the highest point in our wide desert land. The mountain range stretches as far north as the tip of Queensland, down through the entire length of the mighty state of NSW & down to the Grampians in Victoria. We walked back the way we came to Charlottes Pass to complete the 18km track.It is most advisable to start this hike early no later than 9am, any later will risk much colder temperatures from the strong alpine winds & fading light. It is strongly advised to bring very warm clothing, wind resistant jacket, wide brimmed hat, sunglasses & gloves. As with any hike in the wilderness always carry sufficient water & sign-in at the local tourism office in Jindabyne so the park rangers know you are on the track. I personally don’t think you need the $30 emergency beacon on the 8km Summit Walk but definitely should rent one if taking on the Main Range Circuit Trail.

We went counter clockwise and it really felt like we were climbing a mountain and that is no small thing given how flat Australia is. There were plenty of amazing views of the mountain ranges and valleys to keep you satisfied along the walk. There were also on many occasions interesting rock scrambling detours that I would have loved to explore had we had the time such as at Blue lake. If you could spend more then a day exploring the trail then I highly recommend it. I must say though the summit itself was not as impressive or dramatic. I felt that the more impressive view was just before you reached Curruthers peak. One negative thing I want to mention is that the pricing arrangements for annual passes and daily entrance fees are terrible value. For example in the US the annual passes cover every single federally owned/managed park in the entire country whereas in Australia its managed by each state and in the US parks there are a lot more exhibits, maintained park roads (e.g. chemical treatment of dirt roads) and facilities then that of Australia that it makes me wonder how Australia can justify their pricing.

I've done the Thredbo walk and though this is twice the length the views are ten times better. There's glacier lakes, alpine herbal fields and peaks beyond peaks. It is one of the most beautiful walks I've done and even though it is a long walk you should take the time to really absorb the amazing views around you. As the trail follows Lake Albina it become narrow and a little treachorous. Club Lake Creek and Snowy River you will need to cross via stepping stones on the Main Range Trail side. When starting from Charlotte Pass if you do the less traditional route of the Summit Walk before the Main Range Trail you will have less uphill climbs. From the Blue Lake look out there is another path that veers down to the Blue Lake where there is another viewing platform from which you can get a much better look at the lake. If you follow it further it will take you to the lake's edge however this path is muddy, narrow, stony and is an effor to navigate. Also when you get to Seaman's hut on Summit Walk take the time to rest in there as it will be one of only two times you'll get a break from the relentless sun.