El camino del río y la cresta

Today, we took the way of the river and the ridge - a 14km loop from Thredbo to Dead Horse Gap following the Thredbo River to Dead Horse Gap and then up into the Ramshead Range to heights of 2000 metres, before plunging back down to Thredbo. 

It was a stunning day, sunny and still, and from start to finish this path is beautiful.

I can imagine how Dead Horse Gap got its name but in this case, I think these are the bones of feral deer,

At Dead Horse Gap, the path turned up the hill, ascending through snow gum woodland and beautiful alpine meadow.

We picnicked with a view towards Ramshead, under a tree which turned out to be home to a large number of these beetles - like Christmas beetles, but paler.

The path continued its ascent through the snow gum woodland - older trees dead from the fires in 2003 but regenerating with younger trees growing up around them.

The higher we went, the more granite we saw - amazing boulders perched on rock platforms.

Granite citadels.

Granite, granite ... and a remnant patch of snow.

We're just before the full flowering of the wild flowers, but these caught our eye.

At Thredbo top station, we had our afternoon tea - fortifying for the descent.

And descend we did - along the same path as yesterday, the Merritt's Nature Track from the top of the chairlift down to the village - knees and toes creaking slightly (at least on Sarah's part), but delighted at yet another wonderful day in the mountain landscape on the roof of the country. El camino del rio y la cresta - the way of the river and the ridge.

Mt Crackenback and back

Today we decided to walk up Mt Crackenback via Merritt's Nature Trail. As soon as you set foot on the track it starts climbing, and never really stops.

One of the amazing things about a walk like this is the different vegetation zones you pass through. Initially the trees are tall and thick trunked.

with ferns and thick bush on the forest floor.

.

But fairly quickly the trees thin and flowering shrubs take centre stage.

Towards the top snow gums make a dramatic appearance, their trunks twisted and stunning.

And after the snow gums, just granite and grasses.

The track reaches the top just near where the chairlift terminates. 

These guys did it the easy way (note the bikes of the back of the chair, ready for the fast descent on the Cannonball Run).

The phone app says we've ascended the equivalent of 164 floors and look who's still smiling!!

There's Thredbo, nestled in the valley below.

And so, it's back down again.

Back among the Mountain Ash and across a little bridge.

Down, down and the suns starts to dip. As have some of the trees, their massive trunks pitched down the hill.

Past the rushing stream

and the red (crimson) Rosella bird.

Such an amazing walk - and the trail-head only 2 minutes from our front door. Just as well there were some places to pause ... any excuse for cuppa!

A walk in the woods

Cascade Hut was our destination today - a ten kilometre walk from Dead Horse Gap up and across Bob's Ridge and then down into the Pilot Wilderness. It was another beautiful day in the mountains.

                For a time the trail follows the Thredbo River. And then up, up and up she goes.

After an hour of climbing we crested Bob's Ridge with views across to the Murray River and Victoria.

There is much evidence of the 2003 bush fires here - many dead trees.

                                    We startled a couple of wild Brumby's grazing near the trail.

And then, like them, plunged down the other side, into wooded slopes thick with Snow Gums, Mountain Ash and Stringybark.

The further down we descended the bigger the trees grew. Some of these were over 50 metres tall. There was lots of squeaking and groaning sounds cause by the wind bending the trees.

At the bottom of the hill we forded another mountain stream 

and followed the valley for a couple of kilometres to the hut.

We found a shady spot for lunch and a set.

Guess who had the camera at this point?

After a delicious repast, which may have involved pastries lugged up and over from the Thredbo bakery, we rose for the 10 km hike home.

Back across the river flat

 up the hill to Bob's Ridge - which seemed considerably steeper than it did coming down!!

A pause at the top for a cuppa.

And back along the Thredbo River.

Peering into the water at the little bridge crossing.

We passed a few walkers and bike-riders on our way, and a ranger bringing two volunteers who will work on maintaining the hut in January. But mostly we were on our own and contentedly immersed in the sounds, smells and sights of the bush, a light wind keeping us mostly cool. And now we are home, showered, watered and contemplating happy hour at Bernti's. How's the serenity??