Sunday 19/02/2023   Charlotte Pass – Snowy River – Carruthers Creek – Mount Sentinel – “The Sentinel” – Strzelecki Creek

                                        Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

                                        Ngarigo Country

                                    

Participants: Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies, Pablo Ureña Vega

With heatwave conditions currently across Australia, we were pleased to note the local forecast for today was for a 24-degree maximum. Just in case, we got away from Jindabyne early enough to arrive at Charlotte Pass and be underway by 8:50am. There, we were greeted by clear blue skies, 12 degrees with a light breeze making for perfect walking conditions.

Download file: 20230219.gpx                         Track Info

 

Despite having completed many trips in the area in recent years it had been a long time since we had visited Mount Sentinel (“The Sentinel”), we were all looking forward to this return visit. Today we had our daughter, Beth, and her new husband Pablo with us to keep us company and attempt to maintain a more youthful pace. Though that didn’t have much impact on me, as I was to maintain my usual habit of stopping frequently to take photos.

We were happy with the Snowy River crossing today, as the water level was low enough for any easy crossing to maintain dry feet. Another group at the river must have expected it to be otherwise, as they had removed their footwear in preparation for their crossing. 

The gentle climb up towards Blue Lake Track offered a wildflower-interspersed foreground to the peaks. The crossing of Club Lake Creek was an opportunity for a splash of cool water. This morning that wasn’t required, as we had the luxury of a gentle, cooling breeze during our climb. At the track junction, we paused briefly for a glimpse of Blue Lake before continuing to the top of the Main Range. From here you start to get expansive views towards the west and along The Main Range. 

Once onto the Main Range Track, we headed along it towards the north-east and Mount Twynam. The trail to this point is easily navigable by National Parks four-wheel drives, today there was a work crew out who had parked at the Blue Lake turnoff. After the first small knoll along the climb, we headed off track towards the north-west before picking up the track to The Sentinel. As you move further out onto the ridge that leads to The Sentinel the walking becomes much more challenging. There are some steep, rocky sections and one gully with very loose gravel. In a couple of sections, you need to be comfortable with some rock scrambling.

I paused a the top of one rocky section to allow the others time to reach the top of The Sentinel, my aim being to photographically illustrate the scale of the landscape with them standing on the summit. It took them around 30 minutes to get there from my vantage point, needless to say, you will need to look closely at the photo to spot them at all.

The closer you get to The Sentinel, the more impressive the views of the surrounding mountains become. There is plenty to take in, with the steep, deep valley of Strzelecki Creek just to your north and Watsons Crags and Jagungal beyond. To the south, you look over Little Austria and Lady Northcotes Creek to Alice Rawson Peak and Mount Townsend. To the east, you have Mount Twynam, Carruthers Peaks and their western faces nearby. To the west are vast, rolling ranges that seem to stretch on forever.

The summit climb to The Sentinel is interspersed with large granite boulders but the climb is easy enough. After spending a little time on top taking in the magnificent views it was time to start heading back. Pablo and Beth walked on ahead, probably a little tired of all the waiting for the oldies. 

Once we had lost a little altitude on the western side of The Main Range Track the gentle breeze we had experienced earlier vanished, so the trek out to The Sentinel and return felt really warm. On the way back, Sue and I took a short detour down to Strzelecki Creek to refill our water bottles, a delightful high-altitude mountain creek with a pretty waterfall. Further along, we paused above Club Lake for the second part of our lunch. From here we set off with few pauses on our return. Our progress was paused briefly as we got off the road to allow that National Parks vehicle to pass. Further down we observed it as it crossed the Snowy River and drove upon along the path to Charlotte Pass.

Now near the end of February, we noted there were still plenty of wildflowers about and a couple of small snowdrifts as well. Along the way, we also observed a couple of gangs of ravens and numerous butterflies. 

Photos

Panoramas

 

 

The local geology, flora, fauna, geology, history and some other walks (ChatGPT)

The area immediately around Charlotte Pass to Mount Sentinel was a beautiful and unique region within The Main Range of Kosciuszko National Park. It was marked by the towering peaks of the Snowy Mountains, which rose to heights of over 2,000 metres and provided a stunning backdrop to the region.

Geology

The Sentinel is a part of the Australian Alps, which are composed of sedimentary rocks, mainly sandstone and shale. The mountain has been shaped by glacial activity during the Pleistocene epoch, which has left behind a landscape of glacial valleys, cirques, and moraines. The rock formations found on The Sentinel are rich in fossils, which provide important insights into the area’s geological history.

Flora

The flora of the area was primarily sub-alpine and montane vegetation, with a mix of eucalyptus trees, shrubs, and grasses. The alpine meadows were particularly stunning in the summer months, as they were covered in a vibrant array of wildflowers, such as yellow buttercups, purple thistles, and white daisies. The snow gum trees, with their smooth bark that sheds in patches of green, yellow, and pink, were also a unique and beautiful feature of the landscape.

Fauna

The fauna of the area was diverse, with a range of species calling the region home. The endangered mountain pygmy-possum was a particularly unique and fascinating species that lived in the alpine regions around Mount Sentinel. Other iconic species included the eastern grey kangaroo, the wombat, the echidna, and a range of bird species, including the wedge-tailed eagle and the superb lyrebird.

Indigenous History

The area had a rich indigenous history, as it was part of the traditional lands of the Ngarigo people. They had a deep spiritual connection to the land and believed that it was inhabited by ancestral beings that had created the landscape and its features. The area was particularly significant to the Ngarigo people, as it was a major crossing point between the east and west of the Snowy Mountains.

White History

European explorers began to venture into the region in the 19th century, drawn by its natural beauty and potential for grazing and mining.  This period saw significant conflict between the indigenous people and the new arrivals, with many of the Ngarigo people forced from their land. The area was used for cattle grazing and mining, which caused significant damage to the natural landscape. 

Walks

Today, the area is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers, with a range of walking trails available. The Main Range Walk and the Mount Sentinel Loop Walk were two of the most popular walks in the area, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the opportunity to experience the incredible flora and fauna of this unique region.

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