DOWNHILL ALL THE WAY

Day 5- Rooftop Walk: Cleve Cole Hut to Mountain Creek campground (12km)

Saturday February 27, 2016

Well it wasn’t quite downhill all the way but almost.  We finished the Rooftop hike by walking 4km up the Rocking Stone Saddle from Cleve Cole Hut to Mt Bogong summit and then 9km downhill from the summit to Mountain Creek carpark.

The morning was cool and still and it was probably the best conditions for walking that we have experienced. The view from Bogong Spur as we started up was stunning. As I looked back, the valley we had come up from yesterday was filled with fog and we were above it and in brilliant sunshine with hardly a breath of wind. It was so perfect I did not want it to end. I could have stayed up there forever.

We seemed to get to the summit in no time. And unlike on our way up five days ago when the strong winds hurried us off the summit, this time we could stay around and take as many photos as we wanted.

It has been such a visually stunning landscape that I was a bit sad to be leaving.  As we started on our way down towards the carpark we passed quite a few groups heading up to the summit for a day hike. It looked like it was going to be a busy day up on top. I am so pleased we had it to ourselves for a brief period this morning.

We were back at the car fairly swiftly after stopping a few times for a chat with people we passed.   Happy to have finished but at the same time sad that it was over. We felt that we could have gone on.  Everything worked out, our gear and our fitness. This gives us much confidence for the upcoming hike of the Pacific Crest Trail which we will be starting on April the 14th, exactly 47 days away. My fear of snakes got tested. I think I getting a little bit better. Now it just the bears and the mountain lions to worry about.

We finished the day with lunch at our favourite restaurant in Mt Beauty and an afternoon swim at the Mt Beauty pool. What a treat on a really hot day. Perfect way to finish our Rooftop Walk.