PLAN: Kosciuszko - Ryries and Pretty Plain

Getting There – Wollongong to Round Mountain (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 18kms to Round Mountain fire trail car park.

DAY 0 – The night before

Arriving early evening, the first night will be spent walking along Round Mountain fire trail towards Dershko’s hut. About 6kms will be walked to a campsite just off the fire trail. [GR 55H 622050 6005000]. An alternative campsite can be found just after the ford across the river.

DAY 1 – Round Mountain fire trail to Ryries Parlour (15 kms 5 hours)

Continue along Round Mountain fire trail, past Dershkos hut and further south where it turns into Grey Mare fire trail. Continue along the trail until the ford across the Tooma river at Town of Ross [GR 55H 621959 5996790]. At this point, continue due south alongside the river towards Rocky Bogong peak.

As you cross over the Tooma River, turn to the West and follow ridge that appears here up towards Rocky Bogong Peak. As the ground opens up, you will find the easiest path to the top of the ridge line which is known as Ryries Parlour. The nights camp can be found once the saddle is reached. [GR 55H 620000 5994680]

DAY 2 – Ryries Parlour to Hell Hole Creek (14 kms 7 hours)

There is plenty of off-trail walking on this day which is both difficult underfoot and for navigation, as we leave Ryries Parlour and head West towards Pretty Plain. It is difficult to find any reference points, but if you start following the creek down the valley, then once this opens out into a large plain (2km) head towards the top of Jimmies [GR 55H 617100 5997000]. Care needs to be taken as it is very easy to get on the wrong side of the peaks here and find yourself on a very steep overgrown cliff face.

This trail will eventually lead to Pretty Plain, just a little north of the Pretty Plain Hut ruin. Once Pretty Plain is reached, turn to the North and follow the river to the top of the plain. There is an easily located fire trail at the top of the plain, which heads East/West. Turn to the East at this stage [GR 55H 616671 6002545], and continue along Hell Hole Creek fire trail as it rises 350m up and out of the valley. Continue for about another 4 kms before locating a camp site for the night along side the creek.

DAY 3 – Hell Hole Creek to Round Mountain car park (10 kms 4 hours)

The return back to Round Mountain car park is an easy and familiar one. Continue along Hell Hole Creek fire trail until it meets the Round Mountain fire trail. Turn to the North and follow the trail all the way back to the car park, about 9 kms.