PLAN: Kosciuszko - Dargals FT to Farm Ridge

summary: Starting from the Tooma Dam end of the Dargals Fire Trail, traverse south before looping back at Rocky Bogong hill to Farm Ridge and Round Mountain.
date: March 2008
distance: 55 kms
tags: HIKE - PLAN - KOSI - FARMRIDGE - 2008
views: 2903

Getting There – Wollongong to Tooma Dam (450km, 6hours)

Departing from Wollongong or Sydney, head for Cooma via Canberra. From Cooma follow the Snowy Mountains Hwy to Kiandra and then to Cabramurra. From here, find the Tooma Road for approximately 28kms towards Tooma Dam. The trail head is about 1/2 km before the Dam wall, at Dargals Fire Trail.

DAY 0 – The night before

If arriving at night, there are a number of possible camping areas you can use prior to heading off in the morning. You can stay 12kms before the Dam, at Bradleys Hut. You can also stay on Ogilvies Creek picnic area, 5 kms prior to the Dam. You can also stay at the head of the Dargals Fire trail, or head 3kms down the trail to Patons Hut ruin..

DAY 1 – Dargals Fire Trail to Pretty Plain (16 kms 6 hours)

The Dargals Fire Trail heads south past the Toolong Plain, which reaches to the East and the Tooma Dam. Patons Hut ruin is about 3 kms along the trail, and is a handy place for a morning tea stop [GR 55H 616800 6008700].

After visiting Patons Hut, the track continues to the south and across the Tooling Creek tributary, and then past the junction to the Theiss Village Fire Trail. This old trail has been dropped from modern maps, so it is likely to be overgrown and hard to find.

The trail continues south, and crosses the Toolong Creek a number of times before passing another track to the West, which runs out to Wheelers Hut. Eventually Dargals trail reaches the ford at Tounge Bend to get across the Tooma River. This will be a boots off affair, so it also a good spot for a late lunch [GR 55H 615355 6002984].

After the Tooma River crossing, 1 km down the trail, the junction of Hell Hole Creek fire trail will be found. Take this new trail to the East which will lead us to the top of Pretty Plain. The track leads along the side of the Tooma River, until the Tooma turns to the South. At this point, we turn to the south, sticking to the western side of the river and hopefully along an old trail towards Pretty Plain hut.

To finish off today’s walking, the nights camping spot is about 3 kms along the valley at a large open plain where the river ponds up into a couple of large pools. This is also the location where the Tooma River is joined by Bobbies Creek, Pretty Plain Creek and Bulls Head Creek. [GR 55H 616588 5999651]

DAY 2 – Pretty Plain to Rocky Bogong Hill (13 kms 6 hours)

Today we continue South along Pretty Plain. Care must be taken as the trail we want is along the Western side of Bulls Head Creek, so corssing of Bobbies Creek will be required. A break can be had once Pretty Plain Hut is reached which is about 3 ½ kms along Pretty Plain.

From here, the track is easy to follow along the creek bed that leads out of Pretty Plain to Strumbo fire trail. It is at this point, the track becomes difficult to traverse. Aptly nicknamed ‘heartbreak hill’, the next ½ km to the top of this hill will quite possibly break your spirit!! But don’t be discouraged, the top of the hill is a great spot for lunch with views west back along Pretty Plain.

Traveling East now, continue along Strumbo Fire Trail first along a gentle slope, and then up a steep track to the top of Grey Mare Range. Once the top of the ridge line is reached, we are turning to the North East, and once again off the main trail [GR 55H 618370 5992513].

This direction will first take us past Grey Mare Bogong, and then on to Rocky Bogong Hill. At this point, continue down into the saddle between Rocky Bogong and Pyries Parlour. This will be the location of our nights camp [GR 55H 620000 5994680].

DAY 3 – Rocky Bogong Hill to Farm Ridge (14 1/2 kms 6 hours)

The day starts by dropping down from the Grey Mare ridge line to Grey Mare fire trail. This will take a distance of about 2 kms, and you should try and stick to the easiest contour of the hill. The trail takes us along the edge of the Strumbo Range, and drops down about 40 metres.

Once on Grey Mare Fire Trail, head north along side Bogong Swamp, Town of Ross, and eventually to the junction of Grey Mare and Round Mountain Fire Trails. The dominating presence of Mount Jagungal may draw you into a desire to summit this monolith again!! Once the junction is reached, head to the East, and the foot of the Big J. There is a great spot to stop for lunch at the first river crossing at the base of Jugungal. [GR 55H 623200 5998500].

After lunch, continue along the trail to the North East, which will navigate along the side of Jagungal. A met station will be passed 2 ½ kms along the trail, just before O’Keefes hut. The track turns to the North here, before turning East after about 1 ½ kms. Eventually we will reach the bottom of Farm Ridge Fire Trail.

Camp can be set up here at the old homestead ruins, or we can continue up Farm Ridge Trail to the top of the hill first, about 1 km, to remove that effort from the final mornings activities.

DAY 4 – Farm Ridge Round Mountain car park (12 1/2 kms 6 hours)

The trail home is a well trodden one, so there is no problem finding the way home. Head up the Farm Ridge fire trail to the top of the ridge line and follow the marked track north.

The trip to the only major obstacle is about 8 ½ kms along the track, and is the Tumut river crossing. This is possibly a good stop for lunch before taking the long and laborious walk up the hill to the Round Mountain car park. A quick stop at Round Mountain hut along the way should see the end of the trip rounded out in good fashion.


Google Maps

  • all 
  • day-01 
  • day-02 
  • day-03 
  • day-04 
  • kosi waypoints 
If this text does not disappear quickly, then your browser does not support Google Maps, or Google changed their MAPS API without telling me

Waypoints

 
WR-HUT
[55H 624584 5981851]
WR HUT
[55H 624429 5981903]
WATER STOP
[55H 626274 5979789]
VL-JNC
[55H 623458 5986109]
VL-HUT
[55H 623284 5990026]
TRACK
[55H 623692 5988887]
TOOMA RV X
[55H 616699 6002599]
TOOMA RV
[55H 616804 5999125]
TN-HUT
[55H 627906 5985746]
THIESS JNC
[55H 623399 6009499]
SCHLINK PS
[55H 624358 5983228]
SCHLINK P
[55H 624465 5983125]
SC-HUT
[55H 624400 5984665]
ROUNDMTHUT
[55H 624499 6010299]
RMFT+FRFT
[55H 624100 6010099]
RMFT GATE
[55H 624099 6010899]
RM CARPRK
[55H 623404 6000000]
PRTYPLNHUT
[55H 616406 5996559]
PP CMP NT2
[55H 616893 6001363]
PASS BRK
[55H 625580 5984338]
OR-HUT
[55H 623056 5986100]
OKEEFS HUT
[55H 626199 6001399]
OFF TRK
[55H 618999 5991599]
MORN T D3
[55H 627599 5988626]
MET STATIN
[55H 624999 6000199]
MA-HUT
[55H 626141 5990527]
KD-HUT
[55H 631980 5991049]
JAGUNGAL
[55H 624799 5998699]
HELL HOLEJ
[55H 620981 6001270]
HC-JNC
[55H 625723 5978121]
HC-HUT
[55H 625375 5978406]
GRAYMR HUT
[55H 620299 5991699]
GMFT-RMFT
[55H 622799 5998399]
GMFT+FRFT
[55H 627099 6003399]
GG-PAS
[55H 626257 5984552]
G-DAM
[55H 626900 5976302]
G DAM
[55H 626891 5976279]
FT X
[55H 615643 5994082]
EC2
[55H 623399 5989449]
EC1
[55H 625500 5989599]
DY1 LUNCH
[55H 619956 6000924]
DY 3 CAMP
[55H 616762 5993861]
DY 3 BRK
[55H 616840 5999717]
DS-JNC
[55H 625232 5980913]
DP-HUT
[55H 626924 5978920]
DERSCHEKOS
[55H 621699 5999399]
DAY 3 PASS
[55H 625815 5989421]
CREEK STOP
[55H 624756 5989237]
CMP DY 4
[55H 622612 5999101]
CAMP A1
[55H 621865 5999393]
CAMP 3
[55H 624001 5987588]
BRADLEYS
[55H 624349 6013399]
BP
[55H 628349 5989399]
BBP
[55H 628899 5988599]
017
[55H 622500 5998149]
016
[55H 620297 5991688]
015
[55H 620297 5991688]
014
[55H 620297 5991688]
012
[55H 616326 5995461]
001
[55H 627173 5989121]