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!