After an early dump of snow on the Victorian and NSW High country we packed up the swag and headed up to the mountains to try and find some snow to play in. This trip I had my 7 year old son with me and another friend was well in his car.
The original plan for this trip was to head through Mansfield and up to the Howitt High Plains and then to the Wonnangatta valley. This however didn’t happen as most of the tracks we had planned to use were closed a week early before the anticipated storms that were to bring the snow. The plan was amended to still go through Mansfield, but instead of the original route, we would head north into the mountains, cross some rivers and end up in the Buckland valley to camp.
After stopping at the Mansfield bakery for a pie and some bread rolls, we headed north through to Whitfield where we turned Right towards Dandongadale. From there on to the dirt and to just past Abbyyard where we were to cross the river and climb up over the range and into the Buckland. This was not to be as the river crossing was fairly deep with a strong current. River crossings can be fun but it is very important to ensure it is safe to cross and on this occasion we decided it was simply to deep and to fast moving to try. So back we went along the Abbyyard rd and then continued north into Myrtleford and heading into the Buckland Valley from Porepunkah.
Thankfully we only had the swag this weekend so it was a nice and quick setup and get a fire going to keep us warm. Dinner was nice and easy, hotdog’s cooked in the jetboil on the fresh rolls from the bakery.
The next morning it was off for a fun day of 4wding, river crossings and snow. We continued up the valley, crossing the Buckland river several times (thankfully this one was not as deep as the other one) before winding our way up the Mt Murray track to the top of Mt Murray where we found the most snow.
This trip was on the opening weekend of the ski season, and despite all the weather in the days before we headed up there, the snow was not particularly deep and only above 1500m in altitude. Getting to the top of Mt Murray was an enjoyable but not difficult climb, the tracks were wet but in good condition and we used low range gearing only because it made life easier on the river crossings and up the steeper twistier sections.
After a play in the snow and a coffee, we headed off again following twin jeeps track back towards Mt Hotham.
Back at the main road it was time for lunch as the pies were ready in the pie oven before heading off back down the main road towards Harrietville. Before reaching Harrietville we took a small detour down the Old Coach Rd, this track is actually much straighter than the main road but after the rain was a little slippery on the steeper sections.
At Harrietville we turned left straight back on the to the dirt tracks to wind our way back over the mountains and down Pleasant creek track and back to the Buckland river. Across the river and back to camp by about 3.30 in the afternoon. Time for a drink and some nibbles by the fire.
Sadly The next morning we had to pack up and head home but it was a fun weekend and my son really loved the swag and the snow, and everything else come to think of it!!! even though it was a little wet and cold.
A Love of Adventures 