This well signposted, winter-only snowshoe walk is a great way to get into snowshoeing for the first time. Starting from Perisher Village, this walk soon leaves the main road to follow a series of snow poles up a gully and around a small hill. There are some interesting information signs to help you learn more about amazing battle for life under the snow. On a sunny day, the contrast between the rocks, sky and snow might mean you fill the memory card in your camera - allow some extra time to explore the area.
Cross sectional view of the Rock Creek Snowshoe Trail bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Rock Creek Snowshoe Trail 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
3km
Time
1 hr 30 mins
.
Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs
Clearly signposted (1/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
*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
1.2km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 1.1km has short steep hills. The remaining (700m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
1.2km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 1.2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (580m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
This whole walk, 3km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 1.8km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 2.1km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 880m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 2.4km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 580m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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This walk follows an over-snow only route. During the warmer months, this walk crosses important and sensitive bogs that can be significantly damaged, even by light footed walkers. Please only walk this track when it is well covered with snow.
Share the Snow
Alt = 1724 m
Here are some tips to help you share the snow with skiers. Please avoid snowshoeing on ski trails, whether groomed or ungroomed - it is fine to walk right next to the ski trail. When crossing a ski trail, please do so in a single file and on a flat, more visible, section. These tips aim to minimise trail ruts and collisions. Visit Wilderness Sports for snowshoe hire.
(0 km)
Int Kosciuszko and Porcupine Rds
to
Rock Creek Ski Club intersection Track: Moderate - road
Length = 179 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 m
From the intersection, this walk heads west along the main Kosciuszko Rd, away from the 'The Man from Snowy River Hotel'[1] and keeping the main valley to your right. The walk soon crosses Rock Creek, then continues beside the road to an intersection marked with a 'Rock Creek Snowshoe Track' sign[2] just after the 'Rock Creek Ski Club' hut[3](both on your left).
Rock Creek Ski Club
Alt = 1722 m
This building was first opened for use in 1948 then destroyed by a lighting strike in January the next year. In 1959, a few men drove down from Sydney most weekends over a few years to build the current lodge[4]. Still owned by the builders' families, the lodge is available to the public for hire[5]. The lodge has two bedrooms and sleeps 6 people[6]. The lodge can be hired[7] in winter or in summer and makes for a great base with its central location in Perisher Valley. rockcreek.org.auinfo@rockcreek.org.auMore info
(0.18 km)
Rock Creek Ski Club intersection
to
Perisher Reservoir intersection Track: Moderate - undefined
Length = 497 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = -2 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk leaves the road and heads towards the Rock Creek Ski Club building[8][9]. Just before the building, the walk veers right to find the 'Rock Creek Snowshoe Track' information sign[10]. Here the walk follows the snow-pole line with the yellow signs[11]. The walk leads over a small rise then down into the valley, keeping the snow-poles and creek to your left[12]. Just past the second pole, the walk passes an intersection with a bridge (on your left[13]) - Here, the walk continues straight ahead, following the 'Via Porcupine' sign[14] and the series of snow-poles past a few lodges[15]. The walk rounds a small point[16] then leads left, gently up the side of the hill to pass a large green timber lodge[17]. The poles then lead up and over another rise, then gently down to an intersection of snow pole lines[18] - Here, the yellow-signed poles continue ahead (past the stone building in the valley) and the white snowshoe poles head right.
(0.68 km)
Perisher Reservoir intersection
to
Top of gully Track: Moderate - undefined
Length = 703 m
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 42 m
Descent = -2 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads south-west up the valley away from Rock Creek, following the snow-poles with the black and white snowshoe symbols[19]. After about 70m, the walk passes a pole with a 'Where are all the Animals?' information sign[20]. The walk continues following the poles up the valley (with a view of some lodges up to your right[21]) for just over 200m to find a pole with an 'A carpet of Wildflowers' information sign[22]. A further 260m up the valley, following the poles, is another similar information sign titled 'Ancient Herb Garden'[23]. After another 150m, the walk comes to the top of the gully[24] (where the snow-poles lead sharply right). (There maybe a track leading left, from skiers & snowshoes taking an offtrack link to the porcupine track[25])
(1.38 km)
Top of gully
to
Int of Rock Creek snowshoe trail and Wheatley Rd Track: Moderate - undefined
Length = 575 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -33 m
Turn right: From the top of the gully, this walk follows the 'snowshoe trail' poles[26] north up the gentle hill. The poles lead up through a grove of dead snow gums[27] and past a scattering of granite boulders[28] for about 300m to find 'Snow-loving gums' information sign[29]. The walk continues to follow the pole line that leads into the lush snow gum forest[30] for about 100m, where it finds a 'Snow gum sanctuary' information sign[31]. About 50m further into the forest, the walk then turns left[32] at the 'Tracks in the snow' information sign[33] and continues following the 'snowshoe trail' poles downhill[34]. The poles soon lead to the right and come to an intersection with Wheatley Rd[35], just below the UAC Lodge[36][37]
(1.95 km)
Int of Rock Creek snowshoe trail and Wheatley Rd
to
Int Kosciuszko and Porcupine Rds Track: Moderate - road
Length = 1.06 km
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -46 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill following Wheatley Rd[38], keeping the bulk of the orange snow-poles to your left. This road is also used by over-snow transport in winter[39]. The road soon leads under some power lines[40] then runs parallel to Kosciuszko Rd (which is down to your left) and past a series of lodges[41][42][43] for about 600m, to find a large signpost[44] at the intersection with Pipit Pl. The walk turns left here and heads downhill along the road[45] for about 130m to an intersection with Kosciuszko Road[46], just in front of 'Corroboree Restaurant & Bar'[47]. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows Kosciuszko Rd gently downhill[48][49]. After about 60m, the walk continues along the road, passing a track (which leads to a bridge[50] over Perisher Creek, on your left) and continuing for about another 50m to another intersection in front of Rock Creek Ski Club[51][52], the stone building in the clearing on your right. Continue straight: From this intersection near the 'Rock Creek Ski Club' hut[53], this walk follows the main road gently downhill[54] towards the resort centre, where the road soon crosses Rock Creek[55]. The walk crosses the creek[56] and passes a few buildings to come to an intersection with Porcupine Road[57] (on your right), just before 'The Man from Snowy River Hotel'[58] (and the ski tube station on your left[59]).
Fire Danger This walk passes Monaro Alpine fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 15 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 Friday 24th of May 2013 08:00 AM 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
Track: Moderate
1 km
not too much longer now :)