This full day (or overnight) walk visits a series of interesting huts whilst exploring some open alpine country and parts of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Starting at the Guthega / Munyang Power station, you climb up the steep old road to find some great views down the valley. Optional side trips visit the Gate House, Horse Camp Hut and White's River Hut. The alternate exit via Disappointment Spur gives some variety on the return journey and the chance to visit another historic hut.
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 Schlink Hut Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Schlink Hut Walk 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
22km
Time
9 hrs
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Signs
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
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
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
7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 3.2km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 1.3km is very steep and the remaining 190m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 11km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
10km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 1.4km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (190m) is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
10km of this walk requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience and another 1.3km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (190m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 11km of this walk is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 190m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 11km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 190m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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.
(0 km)
Munyang car park
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Behind Power station Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 193 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -5 m
From the Munyang (Guthega Power Station) car park[1], this walk heads along the short driveway[2] and across the large bridge[3] over the Snowy River, heading towards the power station[4]. At the fence (on the other side of the bridge), this walk turns left[5] to head around to the other side of the power station. Just past the concrete building[6], this walk passes the two large feeder pipes[7] and continues, soon finding an intersection with two management trails[8] marked with a 'Schlink Trail' sign[9].
Guthega Power Station (Munyang)
Alt = 1328 m
This was the first power station of the Snow Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme, completed in 1955[10]. It is also known as Munyang, as the station sits just west of the confluence of the Munyang and Snowy Rivers. The station boasts two 30MW turbine and generator[11] combinations, providing peak power to the eastern states. The turbines are powered from the water in two large pipes[12] that form part of the Guthega Pressure Tunnel, fed by Guthega Dam. The dam is about 260m higher than the power station. More info
(0.19 km)
Behind Power station
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Pipe line intersection Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 1.27 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 156 m
Descent = -7 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Schlink Trail' sign[13] uphill along the sealed management trail[14]. This walk soon heads around a locked gate[15] where the trail becomes dirt[16]. The trail leads uphill quite steeply[17] and, after about 500m, leads under some power lines[18], around a sharp left bend[19] and then back under the same power lines again. The trail continues up, passing through two sharper bends[20] and under a different power line twice before flattening out at a right-hand bend[21] beside the large, white pipelines[22] (the Guthega Pressure Tunnel).
(1.46 km)
Pipe line intersection
to
int of Gate House trail and Munyang-geehi Rd Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 1.02 km
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 78 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads gently uphill along the management trail, initially keeping the pipeline to your left[23]. The trail soon bends right, away from the pipeline, and heads through the trees. The walk passes under under a set of power lines[24] and continues along the clear management trail, past a signposted fainter trail[25]. About 500m after the power line, the trail bends left, ignoring another faint trail[26] (on your left) just beyond a clearing. Here the walk continues up through the snow gums[27] and soon after a left bend, comes to a clear three-way intersection, marked with a 'Surge Tank' and 'Gate House' signs[28] (pointing to the left).
(2.49 km)
Int of Gate House trail and Munyang-geehi Rd
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Gate House Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 443 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -24 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Surge Tank' and 'Gate House' signs[29] south along the grassy management trail, over a small rise[30]. The trail leads though a clearing[31] and after about 170m, this walk takes the left branch at an intersection[32]. The trail soon starts to lead downhill[33], circling around behind the gate house building[34] and soon coming to the front of the building[35] where the large white pipes dominate the landscape[36]. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
Gate House
Alt = 1557 m
The gate house is a large concrete building, built into the side of the hill about 220m above Guthega Power Station. This building joins the underground Guthega pressure tunnel with the long white pipe that feed the power station. The gate house regulates the flow of water from the dam to the power station. There is some limited shelter and a great view along the pipe down to Munyang[37].
(2.49 km)
Int of Gate House trail and Munyang-geehi Rd
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Int of Horse Camp Hut Trail and Munyang-geehi Rd Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 1.34 km
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 40 m
Descent = -63 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads west, downhill along the management trail, initially keeping the 'Gate House' and 'Surge Tank' trail to your left[38]. The trail bends right and crosses a small (culverted) creek[39] then winds over a small rise[40]. From the top of this rise, the trail leads downhill out of the snow gums[41] (passing a faint signposted trail, on your right[42]) to cross a fair sized creek[43] using a concrete ford[44]. Here the trail begins to climb again for about 500m (passing another faint signposted trail, on your right[45]), and just after passing through a grove of snow gums[46], the walk comes to the top of the rise and a three-way intersection marked with a 'Horse Camp Hut' sign[47] (pointing left).
(3.83 km)
Int of Horse Camp Hut Trail and Munyang-geehi Rd
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Horse Camp Hut Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 510 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = -1 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads west following the 'Horse Camp Hut - 400 meters' sign[48] downhill along the management trail, directly away from the main trail and power lines[49]. The trail soon starts to head uphill through the trees and about 170m after a short but steeper climb[50], this trail leads to a small clearing and Horse Camp Hut[51], on your left. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn sharp left to continue along this walk.)
Horse Camp Hut
Alt = 1562 m
Horse Camp Hut is found beside a trail linking the old Munyang-Geehi Rd with an aqueduct trail on the western side of the valley. Still in good condition, this hut was built for surveyors in the 1950s as part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme effort[52]. The hut has a distinctive red door[53] and two rooms. The smaller room contains bunk beds and a stove[54] and the larger room has a fire place, table and sitting area[55]. The hut has a timber floor[56] and the outer walls and roof are made of corrugated iron[57]. There is a creek nearby for water[58] and a pit toilet[59] is available. The grassy flat area around the hut makes for great camping[60].
(3.83 km)
Int of Horse Camp Hut Trail and Munyang-geehi Rd
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Int of Aquaduct Trail and Munyang-geehi Rd Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 3.16 km
Time = 1 hr 7 mins
Climb = 157 m
Descent = -76 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north, downhill along the main management trail, keeping the valley and power lines to your right[61]. The trail almost immediately passes a '97G-3' sign[62] (pointing toward the power lines) and continues, crossing under the power lines twice[63] before crossing Munyang River on a concrete bridge[64] almost 1km after the 'Horse Camp Hut' sign. From here, the trail leads up the other side of the valley, crossing under the power lines again[65] before gently climbing up along the side of the valley. The trail crosses three small (culverted) creeks[66] and passes through a long run of dead snow gums[67]. Just past the third creek, the trail leaves the dead snow gums and climbs past the signposted 'GGA-MSS 21 24' trail[68] (on your left) and, about 400m later, comes to a signposted three-way intersection[69]. This intersection is signposted as 'Disappointment Spur Trail'[70] (aka Aquaduct Trail) and 'Schlinks Trail'[71] (aka Munyang-geehi Rd).
(6.98 km)
Int of Aquaduct Trail and Munyang-geehi Rd
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Behind Power station Alternate Exit:
Track: Hard - servicetrail
( Show detail)
Length = 6.96 km
Time = 2 hrs 29 mins
Climb = 199 m
Descent = -485 m
Turn sharp right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Disappointment Spur Trail' sign[72] (and AAWT arrows[73]) uphill along the upper trail, keeping the valley (and lower trail) to your right[74]. The grassy trail climbs for a short while then flattens out[75], following the covered aqueduct (on your left). There are many numbered posts[76] and water collection points[77] along the way. After about 400m, the trail bends left and heads downhill to cross a creek using a concrete ford[78]. Here the trail climbs up through a run of dead snow gums[79]. The trail rises and falls, crossing a few small creeks[80] and crossing another creek and concrete ford[81], a little over 1km after the last ford. The trail climbs again, still through the dead gums[82], crossing a couple more creeks[83] before coming to a small clearing and hut[84] (about 130m after the creek marked with an orange 'S29045' post[85]). Continue straight: From the hut, this walk follows the management trail north-east[86] (initially keeping hut and valley to your right). The trail immediately bends left and follows beside the covered aqueduct around the side of the valley[87]. The trail leads over a few small creeks[88] and past water catchment devices[89] for the aqueduct. The trail leads up and down through a few small valleys and through the dead snow gum trees[90] but about 1.5km from the hut, the trail begins to head consistently downhill[91]. Further down the hill, the trail bends right[92] and passes beside a tall rock cutting[93], where there are great views up along the Munyang River[94] (to your right). The cutting continues for about 130m, bending left partway along. The walk then continues down the hill for another 600m where it passes around a locked gate[95] to find a large clearing[96] under the power lines[97] and a 'Disappointment Spur Trail' sign[98]. The walk continues straight across the timber bridge[99], bending left to follow a fence[100] to the switching yard[101] and sealed section of road[102]. The walk continues along the sealed road beside the switching yard and soon comes to a clear intersection[103] behind the power station marked with a 'Schlink Trail' sign[104] (pointing up another trail). (End of the alternative exit track)
Disappointment Spur Hut
Alt = 1647 m
Disappointment Spur Hut was built in the 1950's out of two standard accommodation modules, to support workers on the Snowy Mountains Scheme[105]. The hut is in a small clearing[106] on the side of Disappointment Spur Trail (aka Aqueduct track). There is a supply of water from the nearby aqueduct[107] and a flat area for camping (no toilet). The hut is made from weatherboard with a flat tin roof, has a timber floor and three windows. There is a bunk bed[108] and a table[109] inside, and a fire circle outside[110].
(6.98 km)
Int of Aquaduct Trail and Munyang-geehi Rd
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White's River Hut intersection Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 1.06 km
Time = 26 mins
Climb = 99 m
Descent = -13 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Schlinks Trail' sign[111] downhill along the management trail and soon crosses a (culverted) creek[112]. The trail passes an overgrown signposted trail[113] (on your left) and starts to climb the side of the hill, soon passing under a set of power lines[114] as the valley views open up[115]. The trail continues uphill for about 400m, passing a couple of rock falls[116] and also a clear management trail[117] (on your left). From here, the trail continues for another 400m, then flattens out and come to an unsignposted three-way intersection[118], just before a right-hand bend (and a 'GGA-MSS 33' sign[119]). Here you can see White's River Hut and a weather station[120].
(8.05 km)
White's River Hut intersection
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White's River Hut Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 259 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -2 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads west, downhill along the grassy management trail towards the creek, and turns right almost immediately[121]. The clear trail soon leads through a rocky creek crossing[122] then over a small rise[123] tending left[124] to cross another creek[125]. These creeks may become impassable after rain or snow melt. The trail then leads up to a clearing and finds White's River Hut[126]. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
White's River Hut
Alt = 1710 m
At this site, there are a few buildings - the main hut is believed to have been built in by Bill Napthali and Fred Clarke in 1935[127] to house them as they grazed cattle. It is also possible that the hut was built by Edward Haslingdon and his sons in 1933[128]. The Kosciusko Alpine Club has a long history with the hut and has made many changes over the years - they are now the primary caretakers[129]. This hut has two main rooms[130][131] plus an entry woodpile annex[132]. The second hut is behind the main hut - the SMA hut[133] (aka the Kelvinator). This second hut is not as well maintained[134] as the main one. There is also a pit toilet[135] beside the hut. A large, flat, grassy area[136] makes a great place to camp and the nearby creek is a source of water[137]. NOTE: On 27th July 2010 an accidental fire has done significant damage to this hut, it is now fenced off and accessing the hut is unsafe. A plan is likley to be put into place to restore the hut.[138]
(8.05 km)
White Rivers Hut intersection
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Schlink Pass Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 1.4 km
Time = 31 mins
Climb = 101 m
Descent = -4 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads gently uphill along the main management trail, soon passing the 'GGA-MSS 33' sign[139] where the trail then bends right[140]. The trail continues uphill for a while to lead parallel under the power lines[141] for a short time before bending around the ridge and passing under the same power lines[142]. For the next 600m, the trail continues up the side of the valley before flattening out at a saddle, signposted as 'Schlink Pass'[143].
(9.44 km)
Schlink Pass
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Schlink Hut Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 1.76 km
Time = 34 mins
Climb = 38 m
Descent = -67 m
Continue straight: From Schlink Pass[144], this walk heads north gently downhill along the management trail whilst keeping the valley and power lines to your left[145]. The trail leads down along the side of the valley, crossing a couple of (culverted) creeks[146] among the scattering of snow gums. The trail passes a few signs but about 300m after the 'GAA-MSS 53 56' sign[147], the trail enters a grove of trees[148] and leads a bit more steeply down to cross another (culverted) creek[149], with a view to Schlink Hut on your left[150]. Here the walk heads up the short rise[151] to find an intersection with a management trail (on your left) just above Schlink Hut[152]. Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the short management trail towards Schlink Hut[153]. The trail leads between the toilet (on your right) and the hut[154]. The far end of the toilet[155] and hut[156] is unlocked and available for public use.
Schlink Hut
Alt = 1774 m
This is a large Snowy Mountain Scheme hut built in 1961. The hut sits between the maintenance road and a set of high tension power lines which run along the valley[157]. The hut was built to house the staff who were building and maintaining the infrastructure in the area. Today, part of the hut is left unlocked for public use. There is a pump-out toilet[158], flat grassy area[159] and creek nearby for water[160]. The hut has several rooms[161], beds[162], a fire place and a table[163]. The hut is named after Sir Herbert Henry Schlink (1883-1962), a medical doctor and xc skier. Dr Schlink made the first winter crossing from Kiandra to Kosciusko[164]. The hut is often called the Schlink Hilton, due to its size. More info
Fire Danger This walk passes Monaro Alpine fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 43 minutes ago) This walk passes Southern Slopes fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 43 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 Tuesday 21st of May 2013 05:00 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.
We(My wife and I) did this on October long weekend this year (2012). Lots of snow on the way. Didn't do the whole 22km, turned off at disappointment spur trail. Had some tea on the way at disappointment hut.
It was blue sky and lots of snow. Breath taking views. This is one of the best walks I ever done.
Try to get some information from Jindabyne, and they thought we are mad doing while it is snowing and high winds. They didn't even offer us a map. Luckily weather cleared and it was beautiful. But we were prepared for the worst. Some places snow and ice up to 1m. We walked on our hiking shoes, not snow boots. We wear careful not to get wet. Didn't see a single human for the whole walk till we reach the power station. Camped at Island bend.
Hiking near Sydney 
NEW
Track: Hard
1 km
not too much longer now :)