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Home arrow Hiking near Sydney arrow Kosciuszko NP (South) arrow Guthega to Mt Twynam     

Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Guthega to Mt Twynam are found in each of the tabs below
Guthega to Mt Twynam
Time: 6 hrs 45 mins Walking time
Includes the time for the return leg
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
0 km SSW of Guthega
Length: 14.8 km Walk Length
As this is a return style walk, the 14.8 km includes the return leg of this walk (ie back to the start)
Kosciuszko National Park
Climb: 913 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 913 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections
There is car access and parking near the start and end of this walk
Style: Return
Route: Hard

This walk starts from Guthega and makes its way along the Snowy River to the Illawong Lodge, via the Blue Cow Creek flying fox. From the lodge, the walk crosses the suspension bridge and begins the climb up the ridge past Pounds Creek Flats to the top of Mt Twynam. From here, there is an optional side trip along the ridge line to a point with better views of the lake, before returning to Guthega. (open in app)

This walk passes through a remote area and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.
There are Closed areas in Kosciuszko National Park
Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Sponsor of Guthega to Mt Twynam bushwalking tracknotes

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Guthega to Mt Twynam bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Guthega to Mt Twynam
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 5 km
Car park below Guthega Alpine Inn
Int. on Guthega Rd, below 'Toibunga'
Int. of Guthega road servicetrail and Flying fox track
Int. of Flying Fox track and Blue Cow Creek tracks
Blue Cow Creek crossing
Illawong Lodge
Suspension bridge
Pounds Creek flats
Twynam saddle
Mt Twynam
Int of Mt Twynam and Blue Lake view tracks
Starting point for this hiking track: Car park below Guthega Alpine Inn

Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here
 Perisher Valley 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-85252S 
 Chimneys Ridge 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-85241N 
 Kosciuszko 1:100 000 Map Series 8525 
 Jacobs River 1:100 000 Map Series 8524 

Photo Gallery

 
Guthega Alpine Hotel from Guthega Road
 
Guthega Alpine Hotel from Guthega Road +
 
Walking along Guthega Rd
 
Walking along Guthega Rd +
 
Guthega Rd service trail
 
Guthega Rd service trail +

 
Flying fox track near Guthega service trail
 
Flying fox track near Guthega service trail +
 
Guthega Pondage, looking along Blue Cow creek arm
 
Guthega Pondage, looking along Blue Cow creek arm +
 
the flying fox
 
the flying fox +

 
The Snowy River arm of Guthega Dam
 
The Snowy River arm of Guthega Dam +
 
Following the track on the eastern side of the Snowy River
 
Following the track on the eastern side of the Snowy River +
 
looking down The Snowy River
 
looking down The Snowy River +

 
looking up at the illawong lodge
 
looking up at the illawong lodge +
 
Illawong lodge
 
Illawong lodge +
 
emergency shelter at the lodge
 
emergency shelter at the lodge +

 
suspension bridge
 
suspension bridge +
 
snowgums
 
snowgums +
 
looking back at Guthega
 
looking back at Guthega +

 
following the faint bushtrack
 
following the faint bushtrack +
 
Pounds creek flats
 
Pounds creek flats +
 
Looking up at Mt Twynam from saddle
 
Looking up at Mt Twynam from saddle +

 
Top of Mt Twynam with old trig station
 
Top of Mt Twynam with old trig station +
 
twynam service trail
 
twynam service trail +
 
blue lake view
 
blue lake view +

Terrain


Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)

Cross sectional view of the Guthega to Mt Twynam bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Guthega to Mt Twynam bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Guthega to Mt Twynam bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Guthega to Mt Twynam bushwalking track

Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length 15km
Time 6 hrs 45 mins
.


Grade 5/6

Route: Hard
AS 2156.1 Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track Rough unclear track (5/6)
Signs No directional signs (5/6)
Experience Required High level of bushwalking experience recommended (5/6)
Weather Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather likely to have an impact on your navigation and safety (5/6)
Infrastructure No facilities provided (5/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing

Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk.
Gradient
7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 410m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (240m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track
5km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.1km follows a rough unclear track. Whilst another 580m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 480m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs
3.2km of this walk has minimal directional signs and another 2.7km has directional signs at most intersection. Whilst another 1.1km Has no directional signs and the remaining 480m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
4.2km of this walk requires a leader with a high level of bushwalking experience and another 2.7km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (480m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
3.2km of this walk is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety and another 2.8km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety. Whilst another 1.1km forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather likely to have an impact on your navigation and safety and the remaining 400m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
2.9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 2.9km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). Whilst another 1.1km has no facilities provided and the remaining 580m has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Track Notes


Since this is a 'return' style walk once you have had enough of the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to the start.
Drive to Car park below Guthega Alpine Inn
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
You can drive or ride to the start of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk.
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Covered in snow part of the year Alt = 1597 m
This walk leads through an extreme alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both very hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, snow, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Between May and the end of October, this walk is likely to be covered in snow/ice, visitors should be carrying and be prepared to use snowshoes or cross country skis. When there is a chance of significant snow on the ground, visitors will need particularly strong navigation and snowcraft skills - tracks and signage may not be visible. For most visitors, it is best to consider this walk closed during the colder months.

Guthega Alt = 1660 m
Guthega is a relatively small township, north of Perisher, and comprises mostly of hotel and lodge-style buildings. The most popular service in town is the Guthega Alpine Inn, open year round. The town is remote and access is by an all-weather dirt road. There are great views over the main range and the Guthega Pondage (part of the Snowy River Scheme). Guthega offers a great place to ski in winter, and to holiday in summer. In summer, there is plenty of walking, mountain biking, fishing and relaxing to be done. Walkers please note - there is no public water supply in the township, please fill water bottle before coming (or be willing treat and use the creek water).

Guthega Alpine Inn Alt = 1665 m
Guthega Alpine Inn is on Guthega Road, about 500 metres past the base of the chairlift and 'Guthega Centre'. The hotel provides a year-round service including accommodation and meals. The hosts are friendly and the hotel provides a great base for walkers and other holiday makers. Please phone and book ahead for meals and accommodation. Phone 02 6457 5383
More info

(0 km) Car park below Guthega Alpine Inn to Int. of Guthega road servicetrail and Flying fox track
Track: Moderate - road,servicetrail
Length = 481 m Time = 10 mins
Climb = 6 m Descent = -34 m
From the car park (just below Guthega Alpine Inn, on Guthega Rd, 500m past the Guthega Centre), the walk follows the concrete road down the hill, keeping the main valley to the left. The road passes a small stone building and light post, just before coming to an intersection with another road heading off to the left, below the building named 'Toibunga'.
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, the walk follows the concrete road down the hill towards the dam. After about 100m, the track veers right at another intersection, following the lower track. The concrete track turns to the right, but this walk continues straight, onto the wide dirt management trail (between the small boulders). Soon the trail bends right and comes to an intersection with a bush track.

(0.48 km) Int. of Guthega road servicetrail and Flying fox track to Flying Fox
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 333 m Time = 9 mins
Climb = 15 m Descent = -44 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads between the boulders and is fairly flat initially, then, near a snow gum, the track steps down steeply and then winds down the hill to a 'T' intersection above Blue Cow Creek. (There is broken glass along this section of track, left over from Snowy River Scheme Camps).
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk initially steps over a small, eroded gap in the track[1] and then heads upstream alongside Blue Cow Creek, keeping the creek to your right. Before long, the track comes closer to the creek, and reaches a rocky crossing with a bridge[2] and a flying fox[3] over the creek.

Flying Fox Alt = 1598 m
This metal flying fox was put in place to provide a safer option for crossing Blue Cow Creek when the water rises over the rocks. There are many flying foxes in the area to help people cross creeks, especially useful during snow melt when water is cold, deep and fast-moving. In 2010, a metal bridge was installed over this creek, parallel to the flying fox, and the bridge is now the safest way to cross.

(0.81 km) Blue Cow Creek crossing to Illawong Lodge
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 2.22 km Time = 50 mins
Climb = 129 m Descent = -87 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk crosses the creek on the bridge[4] next to the metal flying fox[5]. The walk then follows the bush track on the other side as it climbs to the top of the ridge. From the top of the hill, the track then winds down towards the Snowy River then turns left and generally follows it upstream. Soon the walk crosses a small creek and continues up the other side, undulating through the valley, crossing several more small creeks. The track winds left, away from the Snowy River, to climb the short hill to Illawong Lodge.

Illawong Lodge Alt = 1645 m
In 1956, the year after the Guthega Dam was first filled, the Kosciuszko State Park Trust gave permission for the conversion of the then-dilapidated hut into the present simple lodge.[6] The lodge is maintained by members of Illawong Ski Tourers and friends. The nearby suspension bridge over the Snowy River and the flying fox over Farm Creek were built by members of Illawong. NPWS now maintains the suspension bridge and a new bridge over Farm Creek which has replaced the flying fox. The lodge can be reserved by members of the general public - see illawong.asn.au. There is also a small emergency shelter in the base of the hut, on the western wall, with enough room for a few people to see out a blizzard, with some water, blankets and other emergency supplies. More info

(3.03 km) Illawong Lodge to Suspension bridge
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 160 m Time = 4 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -28 m
Turn right: From the west side of Illawong Lodge (where the emergency shelter is located), the walk heads down towards the creek following the bush track. The track winds through scrub, passing through a grass clearing along the way. The walk soon comes to a cable suspension bridge.

Suspension Bridge Alt = 1614 m
Constructed and maintained by Illawong Ski Tourers[7], and only a stone's throw from Illawong Lodge, this cable suspension bridge provides a safer way to cross the upper Snowy River. This provides the main access between Guthega and the Main Range. The bridge also provides great views of the valley.

(3.19 km) Suspension bridge to Pounds Creek flats
Route: Hard - undefined
Length = 2.58 km Time = 1 hr 13 mins
Climb = 342 m Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the suspension bridge, this walk crosses the Snowy River to the west bank and climbs the hill, tending to the left of the top of the hill, and continuing up through the thick scrub. This section of the walk their is not track please fan out and minimse your impact. The walk winds up the ridge line through some more shallow scrub, passing through a thin tree line. The walk continues around to the left side of the ridge, where it gets much steeper, staying high out of the gully (which is to your left). The walk continues to the top of the ridge where it is much rockier, next to the large flats near the headwaters for Pounds Creek.

Pounds Creek Flats Alt = 1958 m
Located in the far upper reaches of Pounds Creek, this large flat area on the side of the ridge makes a great place to camp. The plateau forms a shallow hanging swamp in the few months after winter, when the snow melts and pools in the area.

This campsite is flat and sheltered from the wind by the mountain. Water supply from the creek is unreliable.

(5.78 km) Pounds Creek flats to Twynam saddle
Route: Hard - openland
Length = 1.07 km Time = 29 mins
Climb = 131 m Descent = 0 m
Veer left: From the flats, this walk heads south-west, following the ridge line that runs up the steep hill. The walk winds up and around the left side of the flats towards Little Twynam, bending around to the right as it approaches the top, then climbing up into the saddle between Little Twynam and Mt Twynam.

(6.85 km) Twynam saddle to Mt Twynam
Route: Hard - undefined
Length = 575 m Time = 13 mins
Climb = 97 m Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the saddle, this walk heads north up the grassy hill towards Mt Twynam, climbing up the steep hill and winding through rocky outcrops. The walk turns to the north-west and continuing up to the trig station at the top of Mt Twynam.

Mt Twynam Alt = 2182 m
Mt Twynam is the largest peak on the ridgeline that winds around behind Blue Lake. It was once the location of a trig station, which was used for navigation until it was taken down. The metal frame, which was the lower half of the station, still sits on the peak today.

(7.42 km) Mt Twynam to Blue Lake view
Optional sidetrip: Route: Hard - bushtrack,undefined
Length = 2.03 km Time = 43 mins
Climb = 25 m Descent = -108 m
Continue straight: From the top of the mountain, this walk heads north-west, away from Little Twynam. The walk winds down through the rocky outcrops onto the ridge line, where it meets the old management trail and follows it west along the ridge line. The trail heads anticlockwise around Blue Lake until coming around to the south. The walk continues down and along the trail until coming to the right-hand side of the last knoll.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads south east, towards the lake and soon reaches the top of the gentle hill. The view from here spans across the lake and down through to the gully to the northern end of Headley Tarn.

Drive from Car park below Guthega Alpine Inn
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
You can drive or ride from the end of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk.
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry

Driving Directions
To the start of the walk

Drive from:
From the end of the walk

Drive to:


Near by


Campsites in the park
Black Perry Rest area
Blue Waterholes Picnic and camping Grounds
Bradneys Gap Camping area
Buddong Falls
Clover Flat camping area
Cooinbil Camping area
Cooleman Mountain Camping Area
Coonara Point Camping Area
Denison Camping area
Geehi Picnic Camping Ground
Ghost Gully Camping Ground
Half-way Flat camping area
Humes Crossing Camping area
Island Bend Camping area
Jacobs River Picnic And Camping Area
Jounama Creek Camping Area
Leather Barrel Picnic And Camping Area
Log Bridge Creek Camping area
Long Plain Hut Camping Area
Ngarigo Picnic And Camping Area
OHares Rest Area
Pinch River Camping area
Ravine Camping area
Rock Flat Camping Area
Rocky Plain Camping Ground
Running waters Camping area
Scotchies Yard Camping area
The Pines Camping Area
Thredbo Diggings Camping area
Three Mile Dam Camping area
Tom Groggin Picnic And Camping Area
Wares Yards Camping Ground
Willis Camping Area
Yarrangobilly Village Camping Area
Yachting Point Camping area
Yolde Camping Area
No Name camping area


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
Store Address Phone Distance (straight line)
Paddy Pallin Adventure Centre Thredbo Turnoff, Jindabyne (02) 6456 2922 20.2 km
Wilderness Sports Nuggets Crossing, Jindabyne 1800 654 168 22.5 km
Larry Adler Ski & Outdoor 3 Nuggets Crsng, Jindabyne (02) 6457 2233 22.5 km
Snowy Camping World 106 Sharp St , Cooma (02) 6452 2729 69.6 km
Tumuts Fishing Camping & Outdoor 56 Wynyard St , Tumut (02) 6947 1100 121 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Guthega to Mt Twynam.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Guthega to Mt Twynam
Click to re-center search
2 KHN02 Fire Tower MT YOUNGAL 23 km (to the W)
1 1227830 Country Energy/Monaro County Council Site JINDERBOINE HILL 26 km (to the E)
2 1227833 Commsite INGEBIRAH TRIG 30 km (to the SSE)
3 EUC03 Bald Hill via EUCUMBENE 34 km (to the NNE)
3 MTI03 Broadcast/Comms Site Mt Ikes via TUMBARUMBA 66 km (to the NW)

Weather and Park info

Fire Danger
This walk passes Monaro Alpine fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place.
(Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 8 years ago)
This walk passes Southern Slopes fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place.
(Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 8 years ago)
Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here
°C (feels like °)
km/h from the
% humidity     (as at )
Tue      16°Mostly sunny.
Wed|18°Sunny.
Thu|20°Mostly sunny.
Fri|25°Late rain at times.
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Kosciuszko National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page

Region: South Coast & Highlands
Park fees Camping Facilities
Current Park Closure information for Kosciuszko National Park
Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM
Closed areas: Thredbo Diggings campground closed to caravans
Thredbo Diggings campground is currently closed to all caravans and camping trailers due to continuing wet conditions. There will be limited sites available for tents. Caravans and camping trailer sites are available at Ngarigo, Island Bend and Tom Groggin campgrounds. For more information please phone (02) 6450 5620.

Closed areas: Island Bend campground partially closed due to maintenance
Partial closure of Island Bend campground due to maintenance. Camp sites are now available at the lower camp at Island Bend in Kosciuszko National Park. Other sites have been fenced and will remain closed for 6 to 12 months following capping works to ameliorate the asbestos risk and to allow for revegetation. Please observe all signs and closures. For more information, please contact Andrew Miller at the NPWS Jindabyne Office or on 0427 437391 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page. Download a map of the closed area.

Closed areas: Winter road closures
The following roads will be closed until the October long weekend, unless weather allows them to be opened in late September:
  • Behrs Flat trail
  • Blue Waterholes trail
  • Broken Cart trail
  • Bullocks Hill trail
  • Cabramurra - Khancoban Road (KNP5)
  • Cumberland trail
  • Four Mile Hill trail
  • Geehi Dam Road (Olsen's Road)
  • Goobragandra Powerline Road
  • Kings Cross Road
  • Link Road
  • Long Plain Road
  • Major Clews Road
  • Manjar Road
  • Perisher to Charlotte Pass
  • Pocket Saddle Road
  • Port Phillip trail
  • Tantangra Dam Road
  • Three Mile Dam access trails
  • Davies Plain track
and all associated subsidiary roads and access trails.
The Murray River crossing into Victoria at Tom Groggin campground is closed until 29 October 2015 due to winter road closures by Parks Victoria. There will be no access into Davies Plain, Mt Pinnibar and Tom Groggin fire trails in the Victorian Alpine National Park.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Tumut Visitor Centre on (02) 6497 7025 or the NPWS Snowy Region Visitor Centre on (02) 6450 5600, or visit the NSW National Parks safety page.

Closed areas: Thredbo Valley track reopening Sunday 27 September 2015
Sections 1 and 2 (Thredbo to Ngarigo) of the Thredbo Valley track will be reopening on Sunday 27 September 2015. The track from The Diggings to Skitube- Bullocks Flat, Bullocks Hut and Lake Crackenback Resort will remain open. The Bullocks and Muzzlewood tracks will also remain open. For more information, please contact the Snowy Region Visitor Centre, Jindabyne on (02) 6450 5600 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.


Walker Feedback

Comments
Add NewSearch
Andrew Stanger - Andrew IP:123.208.17.xxx | 2010-06-10 06:07:15
Excellent track notes. I really like the way you have put it together. I think I'd be pushed for that time though. I'm a bit of a slow walker easily distracted.
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Loading the images not too much longer now :)


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