Mt McLeod

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NB. The following information was current at the time of the event

Distance:  16 Km   |  Duration:  6 Hrs   |  Grade:  TBA   |  Rating:    |  Style:  Return   |  Map

Best Season:  Summer, Autumn, Spring

About the Walk

Overview

This is a fairly long walk to Mt McLeod, which is on the remote northern end of the Buffalo Plateau overlooking the Ovens Valley. Involves a 300m climb.

The Walk in Detail

Most of the walk is on a 4WD track but there are two exceptions. About 300m from the start (at the track junction) there is a foot track to the right that is clearly signposted. It is advisable to take this track because it avoids a climb and a descent of about 140m, and the track is more pleasant walking through open forest.

The foot track trends gently downhill for a bit over a kilometre before rejoining the 4WD track.  The 4WD track is gently undulating but gradually gains about 100 m of altitude before it reaches the Mt McLeod walk-in camping area, which is in a nice open grassy area. There is a toilet just past the camp-site.

Up to this point the walk has been through a variety of open forest. In the case of the larger trees, Manna gums and the like, it is hard to see that they were burned in the 2003 fires. The snow gums have obviously been burnt, but they are recovering by shooting from their root-stock so that they look quite good.

From the camping ground there is a climb of about 150m to the trig on Mt McLeod and towards the end it involves rock scrambling. Walkers will need boots with a good grip and at least some tolerance for looking down steep slopes. However, there are no surprises and walkers can simply go as far as they feel comfortable. The views on the way up are nearly as good as those at the top anyway. It is possible to see Myrtleford and Porepunkah from most places, and if you know where to look, Lake Mokoan near Benalla, and the Mt Stanley fire tower near Beechworth.

Getting There

Drive towards Bright via Hume Highway, Wangaratta and Myrtleford.  Take the turn off to Mt Buffalo near Porepunkah.  Drive up Mt Buffalo and once you have reached the Buffalo plateau, take the right hand option at the fork where the left leads to the chalet. The road to the reservoir (Crystal Brook Road) is on the right about 0.7 km further on past the Parks Office, but before the sheds that house the snow clearing equipment. It is a good gravel road that follows Crystal Brook.

Walk Precautions

Recommend boots with a good grip and some tolerance for looking down steep slopes. The last part of the walk involves rock scrambling, but is reasonably easy for most people.

Additional Information

Gorge Day visitor area: APV002 - Toilets APV001 - Information APV007 - Picnic Shelter APV008 - Picnic Table

Dingo Dell Visitor Centre and Cafe: APV001 - Information APV002 - Toilets APV007 - Picnic Shelter

Mt McLeod camp site: APV002   Toilets


Yes
TBA

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