Tuesday 5/04/2022 Mount Buffalo Carpark – The Horn Track – The Horn (1723m)
Mount Buffalo National Park, VICTORIA
Taungurung Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
A very short but steep walk to the highest point in Buffalo National Park. Pablo, having finished Sunday’s 42km Buffalo Stampede in 4 hours 48 minutes was in great discomfort with every step. He was forced to kind of hobble his way along.
Max elevation: 1686 m
Total climbing: 123 m
Total descent: -212 m
Average speed: 11.62 km/h
Total time: 00:34:54
Bethany and Sue who had completed the 20km and 10km events respectively were doing much better. I just hobbled along much as normal and I was just a spectator.
This walk is straight up a steep, scrubby slope via a series of steps. When you reach the summit boulders there is a ladder to the platform on the top. It was a bit cold and windy today but nothing like the bitter cold and strong winds when we came up here on Friday morning for a brief look.
There are stunning 360 degree views from the summit platform and the ascent to the summit is a must-do if you have already driven to the carpark at the end of the road.
The Leviathan
On the drive back to camp we stopped to check out the huge perched boulder known as the Leviathan, make sure you do as well.
The Mount Buffalo National Park Visitor’s Guide states
The Horn Track 1km, 40 minutes return
This track takes you to the highest point on Mount Buffalo, 1723m, with 360 degree views of the plateau and the Alps at the summit.
Information on National Parks signage along the way
PERCHED LIKE AN EAGLES NEST
This historic shelter was built in the late 1930’s by the then National Park
Committee of Management for the comfort of tourists and bushwalkers.
It was constructed from local hand cut granite and clad with Alpine Ash
shingles. The shelter was required to blend in with the ‘rugged nature of the
Environment.
Since the road from Cresta Valley to this point was widened in the 1940’s tourists arriving in motor cars have enjoyed extensive views of the Australian Alps framed by the windows in the shelter.
The local flora, fauna, geology, history and some other walks (ChatGPT)
Flora: The park is home to a variety of plant species, including alpine and subalpine ecosystems, wildflowers, and eucalyptus forests. The alpine and subalpine areas are characterized by low-growing shrubs and herbs, as well as snow gums, which are adapted to survive in the harsh, cold conditions of the high elevations. The wildflowers found in the park are also unique and diverse, with some species flowering in spring and summer, while others bloom in the fall. The eucalyptus forests found in the park are also home to a variety of other plant species, including ferns, mosses, and lichens.
Fauna: The park is home to a diverse range of animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, and possums. The park is also home to a number of marsupials, such as the sugar glider and the mountain pygmy possum. The park is also known for its birdlife, with over 180 species of birds recorded in the park, including the rare and endangered Pilotbird and Powerful Owl. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians, as well as a number of fish species that inhabit the park’s streams and rivers.
Geology: The park’s rugged terrain is the result of millions of years of erosion and weathering, which have shaped the park’s rock formations and soils. The park is home to a variety of rock types, including granite, sandstone, and shale. The granite rock formations found in the park are some of the oldest in Victoria, and they have been shaped by weathering and erosion into a variety of unique and interesting forms. The park is also home to a number of unique geological features, such as The Horn, a rocky peak that towers over the park. The park also has a variety of soil types, including podzolic soils, that are commonly found in the alpine and subalpine areas of the park.
History: The park has a long history of Indigenous occupation, dating back thousands of years. The local Indigenous people, the Dhudhuroa, have lived in the area for thousands of years, and the park is home to a number of sacred sites and cultural artifacts that are important to them. These sites include rock art, scarred trees, and ceremonial grounds.
The Indigenous people of the area have a deep spiritual connection to the land and its natural features. They have long used the park’s resources for food, medicine, and cultural practices. The park’s plants and animals have played a significant role in their culture, and many species have spiritual significance to them.
European settlers arrived in the area in the mid-19th century, and the park was used for logging and grazing in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This brought significant changes to the area, and had a negative impact on the Indigenous people and their way of life.
In recent years, efforts have been made to acknowledge and preserve the Indigenous history and culture of the area. The park has established partnerships with local Indigenous groups and has worked to incorporate Indigenous perspectives and knowledge into the management of the park. The park also offers interpretive programs and ranger-led tours that highlight the Indigenous history and culture of the area.
Some of the best walks in the park include:
1. The Horn Walk: This walk takes you to the summit of Mount Buffalo’s highest peak, The Horn. The trail is steep and challenging, but the views from the top are spectacular and well worth the effort. The walk is about 6km return and takes around 4 hours to complete.
2. The Gorge Walk: This is an easy and popular walk that takes you through the beautiful Gorge Creek valley. The trail follows the creek and passes through a variety of different habitats, including rainforest, fern gullies, and rocky outcrops. The walk is about 2.5 km return and takes around 1 hour to complete.
3. The Sentinel Walk: This walk takes you to the base of the Sentinel, one of the park’s most impressive rock formations. The trail is steep and rocky, but the views of the Sentinel and the surrounding landscape are breathtaking. The walk is about 3km return and takes around 2 hours to complete.
4. The Eurobin Falls Walk: This walk takes you to the base of Eurobin Falls, a beautiful waterfall that cascades down the mountain. The trail is relatively easy and takes you through a variety of different habitats, including rainforest and eucalyptus forest. The walk is about 4 km return and takes around 2 hours to complete.
5. The Lookout Walk: This walk takes you to the summit of Mount Buffalo’s second highest peak, The Lookout. The trail is steep and challenging, but the views from the top are spectacular and well worth the effort. The walk is about 5km return and takes around 3 hours to complete.
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