This walk was organised and led by Doug F as an FBI walk:
(Sat 15 Dec – MOUNT KELLY – 21 km Hard (14) Leader Doug F. Starting at the Boboyan Forest car park we first cross Bogong Creek on the bridge and walk up a branch of Middle Creek to Bogong Gap, then 1.5 km up spurs to Mount Kelly summit. Return via the same route. Total climb 850 m. Maps: Rendezvous Creek, Yaouk. Cars: 110 km ($11). Meet at K 7.30am***.).
8 of us met and drove to Yankee Hat car park.
Walk
Our first leg took us from the car park along the Yankee Hat Walking Track and across the bridge and boardwalk over Bogong Creek. Then across the grasslands into the mouth of Middle Creek (passing the big rock marked as * on the map) and up the south arm for around 1 km. Across the creek and onto the Burbidge spur for morning tea. 6.1km in 2hr 15mins. 10mins for smoko (see pic 1).
We then sidled a little closer to the S arm of Middle Creek for great views down onto cascades and small falls between the 1200 and 1300m contours. With recent rain, there was plenty of water making a lovely noise. Crossed from the N side to the S side of the creek at the 1300m contour. Around here 2 of our party left us to return to the cars and 6 of us pushed on up the creek to find 'first' lunch in the saddle between Mt Kelly and SH1733, with our objective in view. 4.4km in 2hr 20mins. 10mins for first lunch.
We assaulted Mt Kelly and reached the top at 2pm. 0.6km (that's horizontal distance) in 35mins. 15mins for second lunch and to have a look around. Magnificent views, as usual (see pics 2 and 3).
All that was left to do was to wander back. We kept on the S bank of the S arm of Middle Creek all the way, a little higher than when coming in. Easy, open walking and an excellent route. Back at 6.30pm. 10.9km in 4hr 15mins.
My 6th visit to Mt Kelly, others being on 2-3 Jan 06, 22-24 Apr 06, 8-9 Jul 06, 9-11 Dec 06 and 21-22 Jul 07.
A very pleasant day, certainly not reaching the equivalent of 30°C forecast for Canberra. Hazy cloud kept the temperature down in the morning and we actually walked the last couple of hours in gentle rain. A gentle pace, too, for which my feet were very grateful. I tried a sophisticated homing device (which worked well), although the ginger beer was more popular than the home brew without the ginger, which was more popular than the iced water (no doubt because we were a bit wet and cold when the device was activated). A little leech (yes, confirmed by others) waggled on my boot back at the cars!
Thanks to David, Doug, Eric, Madeleine, Max, Prue and Trevor.
Distance: 22.0km Climb: 850m. Time: 8.20am - 6.30pm (call it 10hrs), with 40mins of stops.
Grading: L/R; H(14)
KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Mt Kelly
