Mountain Creek Rd to The Staircase Bogong Circuit

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Cleave Cole Memorial Hut

The Cleve Cole Hut is situated in a sheltered area below the tree line at the head of Camp Creek, at an altitude of 1760 metres. It is dedicated to the memory of Cleve Cole, a Victorian skiing pioneer who died after being trapped on Mount Bogong in the winter of 1936. In a virtual wilderness it is a magnificent refuge and a base in all seasons for walkers and skiers alike. The intention behind its construction was to reduce the everpresent dangers posed by Mt Bogong, the same dangers which over the years brought several peoples' lives to an untimely end. The hut's architect, Malcolm McColl, himself a keen skier, designed the building in 1936 and the hut's construction started in February 1937; it was usable by winter of the same year. In all, about 10 tonnes of building materials were moved up the mountain by packhorses; the only means of transport available in those days. The hut is a solid stone building, with a kitchen, bunk/living areas and an outside toilet, the periodic repositioning of which (in the interests of environmental preservation), is a ritual enjoyed by the more energetic club members. The Cleve Cole Hut is a Crown Hut within The Alpine National Park, regulated by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and maintained by The Mount Bogong Club, whose members have, since 1965, improved the hut and kept it in excellent condition.

Mount Bogong 1986 m height

This is Victoria's highest peak. The climb to its summit is a very popular walk with local bushwalkers. The closest roads are to the base of the mountain and it is a long climb from any direction. From the north side the most popular track is the climb up Staircase Spur. This starts from Mountain Creek and climbs steadily through forest passing the small Bivouac Hut. The climb continues to the treeline at the knolls of Castor and Pollux and an open climb continues to the summit. Another popular approach from the north is via Eskdale Spur. This starts at the headwaters of Mountain Creek and passes Michell Hut and meets the summit ridge 100m east of the top of Staircase Spur. The summit ridge is a long C-shaped ridge of 6km. This starts from West Peak then continues over the summit to the top of Eskdale Spur, a short drop into Hell Gap then a long ridge extends south to near Cleve Cole Hut. Cleve Cole Hut is a solid stone shelter that was built to commerarate the death of Cleve Cole in 1936. Popular weekend walks are to climb one of the two northern ridge to Cleve Cole Hut then return the same way or by descending the other northern access track. There are many other possible longer walks as from the south good tracks link to the Bogong High Plains. One track crosses the Grey Hills then descends to Bogong Creek Saddle then climbs to follow a specatcular rocky ridge over Quartz Knob to West Peak. The other track passes Ropers Hut and descends sharply to cross Big River with the aid of a chain then a steep climb leads to Cleve Cole Hut. For experienced off-track walkers, Horse Ridge and Granny Spur and Little Bogong offer some interesting untracked approaches or descents. The Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) approaches from the Bogong High Plains past Ropers Hut then up to near Cleve Cole Hut then turns east and heads over Mt Wills. The summit of Mt Bogong is a must do sidetrip for all those following the AAWT

Night 1 campsite 4 Season Alpine tens only

You should only camp here if you own a good 4 season Alpine tent, it's above the tree line and completly exposed. This area is between Castor Outcrop and Pollux Outcrop.

Night 2 Campsite

Night 3 Campsite

Night 4 Campsite

Quartz Ridge

Roper Hut AAWT 936m