This great walk starts at Guthega and explores the area east of Blue Lake. The walk heads to the Illawong Lodge, via the Blue Cow Creek flying fox, and then crosses the famous Snowy River at the suspension bridge. The walk then winds up the long ridge to the top of Little Twynam and down to Blue Lake. From Blue lake there are optional side trips to Headley Tarn and up to the Blue Lake lookout, before returning to Guthega.
Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)
Cross sectional view of the Guthega to Blue Lake via Little Twynam bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Guthega to Blue Lake via Little Twynam bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
17km
Time
8 hrs
.
Grade 5/6
Route: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Rough unclear track (5/6)
Signs
No directional signs (5/6)
Experience Required
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather
Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
Infrastructure
No facilities provided (5/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.5km is very steep. Whilst another 560m has gentle hills with occasional steps and the remaining 240m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
5km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.6km follows a rough unclear track. Whilst another 480m follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 220m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
5km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 2.8km Has no directional signs. The remaining (640m) is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
7km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 1.5km requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (480m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
3.1km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation) and another 2.8km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety. The remaining (2.8km) is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
3.1km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 2.9km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (2.8km) has no facilities provided.
Walk with a club - Enjoy bushwalking and make new friends (community announcement) The NPA is more than just a bushwalking club. We are a conservation group that helps protect natural places As a member you can join any of our 1000 guided walks each year and enjoy our quaterly Magazine 'Nature NSW'. Membership fee is just $65 per year, concession fee also available. Learn More...
This walk leads through an extreme alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both very hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, snow, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Between May and the end of October, this walk is likely to be covered in snow/ice, visitors should be carrying and be prepared to use snowshoes or cross country skis. When there is a chance of significant snow on the ground, visitors will need particularly strong navigation and snowcraft skills - tracks and signage may not be visible. For most visitors, it is best to consider this walk closed during the colder months.
Guthega
Alt = 1660 m
Guthega is a relatively small township, north of Perisher, and comprises mostly of hotel and lodge-style buildings. The most popular service in town is the Guthega Alpine Inn, open year round. The town is remote and access is by an all-weather dirt road. There are great views over the main range and the Guthega Pondage (part of the Snowy River Scheme). Guthega offers a great place to ski in winter, and to holiday in summer. In summer, there is plenty of walking, mountain biking, fishing and relaxing to be done. Walkers please note - there is no public water supply in the township, please fill water bottle before coming (or be willing treat and use the creek water).
Guthega Alpine Inn
Alt = 1665 m
Guthega Alpine Inn is on Guthega Road, about 500 metres past the base of the chairlift and 'Guthega Centre'. The hotel provides a year-round service including accommodation and meals. The hosts are friendly and the hotel provides a great base for walkers and other holiday makers. Please phone and book ahead for meals and accommodation. Phone 02 6457 5383 More info
(0 km)
Car park below Guthega Alpine Inn
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Int. of Guthega road servicetrail and Flying fox track Track: Moderate - road,servicetrail
Length = 481 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -34 m
From the car park (just below Guthega Alpine Inn, on Guthega Rd, 500m past the Guthega Centre), the walk follows the concrete road down the hill, keeping the main valley to the left. The road passes a small stone building and light post, just before coming to an intersection with another road heading off to the left, below the building named 'Toibunga'. Turn sharp left: From the intersection, the walk follows the concrete road down the hill towards the dam. After about 100m, the track veers right at another intersection, following the lower track. The concrete track turns to the right, but this walk continues straight, onto the wide dirt management trail (between the small boulders). Soon the trail bends right and comes to an intersection with a bush track.
(0.48 km)
Int. of Guthega road servicetrail and Flying fox track
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Flying Fox Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 333 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -44 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads between the boulders and is fairly flat initially, then, near a snow gum, the track steps down steeply and then winds down the hill to a 'T' intersection above Blue Cow Creek. (There is broken glass along this section of track, left over from Snowy River Scheme Camps). Veer left: From the intersection, the walk initially steps over a small, eroded gap in the track[1] and then heads upstream alongside Blue Cow Creek, keeping the creek to your right. Before long, the track comes closer to the creek, and reaches a rocky crossing with a bridge[2] and a flying fox[3] over the creek.
Flying Fox
Alt = 1598 m
This metal flying fox was put in place to provide a safer option for crossing Blue Cow Creek when the water rises over the rocks. There are many flying foxes in the area to help people cross creeks, especially useful during snow melt when water is cold, deep and fast-moving. In 2010, a metal bridge was installed over this creek, parallel to the flying fox, and the bridge is now the safest way to cross.
(0.81 km)
Blue Cow Creek crossing
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Illawong Lodge Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 2.22 km
Time = 50 mins
Climb = 129 m
Descent = -87 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk crosses the creek on the bridge[4] next to the metal flying fox[5]. The walk then follows the bush track on the other side as it climbs to the top of the ridge. From the top of the hill, the track then winds down towards the Snowy River then turns left and generally follows it upstream. Soon the walk crosses a small creek and continues up the other side, undulating through the valley, crossing several more small creeks. The track winds left, away from the Snowy River, to climb the short hill to Illawong Lodge.
Illawong Lodge
Alt = 1645 m
In 1956, the year after the Guthega Dam was first filled, the Kosciuszko State Park Trust gave permission for the conversion of the then-dilapidated hut into the present simple lodge.[6] The lodge is maintained by members of Illawong Ski Tourers and friends. The nearby suspension bridge over the Snowy River and the flying fox over Farm Creek were built by members of Illawong. NPWS now maintains the suspension bridge and a new bridge over Farm Creek which has replaced the flying fox. The lodge can be reserved by members of the general public - see illawong.asn.au. There is also a small emergency shelter in the base of the hut, on the western wall, with enough room for a few people to see out a blizzard, with some water, blankets and other emergency supplies. More info
(3.03 km)
Illawong Lodge
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Suspension bridge Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 160 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -28 m
Turn right: From the west side of Illawong Lodge (where the emergency shelter is located), the walk heads down towards the creek following the bush track. The track winds through scrub, passing through a grass clearing along the way. The walk soon comes to a cable suspension bridge.
Suspension Bridge
Alt = 1614 m
Constructed and maintained by Illawong Ski Tourers[7], and only a stone's throw from Illawong Lodge, this cable suspension bridge provides a safer way to cross the upper Snowy River. This provides the main access between Guthega and the Main Range. The bridge also provides great views of the valley.
(3.19 km)
Suspension bridge
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Pounds Creek flats Track: Moderate - undefined
Length = 2.58 km
Time = 1 hr 13 mins
Climb = 342 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the suspension bridge, this walk crosses the Snowy River to the west bank and climbs the hill, tending to the left of the top of the hill, and continuing up through the thick scrub. This section of the walk their is not track please fan out and minimse your impact. The walk winds up the ridge line through some more shallow scrub, passing through a thin tree line. The walk continues around to the left side of the ridge, where it gets much steeper, staying high out of the gully (which is to your left). The walk continues to the top of the ridge where it is much rockier, next to the large flats near the headwaters for Pounds Creek.
Pounds Creek Flats
Alt = 1958 m
Located in the far upper reaches of Pounds Creek, this large flat area on the side of the ridge makes a great place to camp. The plateau forms a shallow hanging swamp in the few months after winter, when the snow melts and pools in the area.
This campsite is flat and sheltered from the wind by the mountain. Water supply from the creek is unreliable.
(5.78 km)
Pounds Creek flats
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Twynam saddle Route: Hard - openland
Length = 1.07 km
Time = 29 mins
Climb = 131 m
Descent = 0 m
Veer left: From the flats, this walk heads south-west, following the ridge line that runs up the steep hill. The walk winds up and around the left side of the flats towards Little Twynam, bending around to the right as it approaches the top, then climbing up into the saddle between Little Twynam and Mt Twynam.
(6.85 km)
Twynam saddle
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Little Twynam peak Route: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 218 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 34 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn left : From the saddle, the walk heads south-east, up the hill and soon goes through a wide grassy pass between the two large rock outcrops to reach the top of Little Twynam.
(7.07 km)
Little Twynam peak
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Int of Blue Lake track and Little Twynam route Route: Hard - undefined
Length = 1.5 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -249 m
Continue straight: From the top of Little Twynam, the walk follows the ridge running south. The walk heads down the ridgeline, keeping Blue Lake to the right, and tends to the left as Hedley Tarn comes into view. The walk then winds down along the ridgeline, keeping the tarn to the right. After a short distance, the ridge and the hill to the right flattens out substantially and the walk turns down the hill, arcing around towards the southern end of Blue Lake. The walk then crosses Blue Lake Creek, just south of Blue Lake, and almost immediately reaches the intersection of the Hedley Tarn and Blue Lake tracks.
(8.57 km)
Int of Blue Lake track and Little Twynam route
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Hedley Tarn Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - undefined
Length = 870 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 22 m
Descent = -52 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading south-east, down-stream alongside the creek flowing out of Blue Lake to Hedley Tarn. The walk heads through to the southern end of the shallow gully and around the western side of Hedley Tarn, coming to the southern side. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
Hedley Tarn
Alt = 1844 m
Hedley Tarn is a beautiful glacial lake just south of Blue Lake, from which you can see right across the valley to the end of Kosciuszko Road at Charlotte Pass and is well worth the trip down from Blue Lake.
(8.57 km)
Int of Blue Lake track and Little Twynam route
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Blue Lake Track: Moderate - undefined
Length = 154 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -1 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, winding north-west along the trail, following the Blue Lake Creek upstream as it climbs up over the foot of a spur to the south-eastern corner of the Blue Lake.
(8.72 km)
Blue Lake
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Blue Lake lookout Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 413 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 37 m
Descent = 0 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track winding west, up over the foot of a spur and continuing up and around the left-hand side of Blue Lake, steadily climbing up the ridge until coming to a platform with an information sign and a great view of Blue Lake about halfway up.
Blue Lake
Alt = 1914 m
Blue Lake is the best example of a glacial lake in the alpine area. At 28m deep, this lake was formed when glaciers, flowing from the Great Dividing Range, converged and carved out a basin in the rock. This is visible in the cliffs behind the lake, where the glaciers have plucked out blocks of stone and carried them away. There is also a stream that flows from Blue lake, feeding Hedley Tarn just to the south.
Fire Danger This walk passes Monaro Alpine fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 52 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
Region: South Coast & Highlands Park feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Kosciuszko National Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 26th of May 2013 03:00 PM CLOSED AREAS Bridge washed away on Buddong Falls Track - Buddong Falls track
Storms have washed away the bridge on the Buddong Falls Walking Track and a diversion is now in place.
Land slips have closed the track below the upper falls meaning there is no access to the lower falls until further notice.
The upper falls can still be viewed.
Caution is required on the Power line access road due to land slips.
Access to Buddong Falls via the State Forest road coming from Batlow is not recommended.
Olsen's Road/Geehi Dam Road Closed
Olsens Road/Geehi Dam Road is closed due to ongoing road works until Tuesday 8th October 2013. The Tin Mines Barn in the Pilot Wilderness Area closed due to construction
The Tin Mines and its immediate surrounds will be closed to the general public from Monday 3 December until 5pm Friday 12 April.
The NSW NPWS along with Illawara Alpine Club and Kosciuszko Huts Association will be undertaking reconstruction work of the fireplace and chimney of the Tin Mines Barn during this time. Note: construction vehicles will be using the management trail between the Alpine Way and Tin Mines.
The adjoining Managers Hut (Carters Hut) and its fireplace is still available for use.
Hiking near Sydney 
NEW
Route: Hard
5 km
not too much longer now :)