The AAWT in the region of Square Top had a clearing in February 2024. However, the job was not completed, principally because of the long distance to walk in the tools from The Nobs. After much consideration, planning, postponing and re-planning, the job was finally done in mid-May. Two rangers and four BTAC volunteers met in Mansfield on Thursday 14 May. In two Parks Vic vehicles, we drove up Mount Clear Track to camp about 1 km west of where this 4WD track meets the AAWT, about 2 km north of Mt Clear. That afternoon, we walked our tools, fuel and protective gear up over Mt Clear to the saddle just before Square Top, leaving it there in preparation for the next day.
On day 2 we walked in again over Mt Clear and set to work. There was plenty for the chainsaws to do but relatively light work for the hedge trimmers, until we came to the saddle half-way along Square Top. We were then faced with chest-high overgrowing scrub of alpine pea, completely obscuring the track. We managed to cut a wide path through and met up with the start of the previously cleared work, just in time to begin our walk back. With the chainsaws doing a little further tidying up along the way, we arrived back at the vehicles just as the daylight was fading.
Rangers James and Emily excelled in catering for us, including cooking a delicious barbecue meal both nights. We were glad to have had the job postponed to this time: the weather was perfect- clear
skies and cool, sunny days.
Another small section of the AAWT has been improved.
John Green
14-16 May 2026
