Day 3 Mount Arthur Fire Track

Pictures Day 3 Mount Arthur Fire Track
Woke early as usual, though had a good nights sleep with only a few disturbances (to the loo of course). Came up to breakfast and as usual, one of the last, and again no pyjamas or Lycra.
Dear reader, those that have read my previous blogs will have noted by now I have made no mention of the coffee or the showers. The coffee gets no mention as it's been particularly good-especially as I have been making it myself! The shower, as they have been hot and plenty of water.
Breakfast over, it is off to traverse the Junction Spur Track, down into the Rocky Creek and then the Mount Arthur Fire Track around the side of Mount Arthur, ending back at the Bogon Power Station.
The outside temperature is 2.5 C, so it's bloody chilly There is some discussion about appropriate covering for the walk. It is fine however, so the prospect is good for a warm day-eventually.

Waders and scramblers at Rocky Creek

We head off for Howman's Gap, again, and the A walkers head of UP the Junction Spur Fire Track, that is to take us DOWN to Rocky Creek. The burnt snow gums drum against each other in the wind. Occasionally they rub together and make noises like cats cats calling.
The up goes for some way, about 1 kilometre and then it is down about 500 metres to the Rocky Creek. The creek is more like a river and there is a choice of wading or rock scrambling. Ian our leader wades, as do the girls. Three of us decide to keep dry feet, which we do, though it is a bit hairy.
It's then a long steady ascent of about 1500 metres over the next 7 km. Every corner leads to another rise, though generally fairly gentle. The weather warms so we start to sweat a bit and obviously it suits the snakes, as we start to see quite a few-well four in fact.
They are all pretty placid and one, the one in the photo below just won't get off the track, so we

Black snake resting.

circuit quietly around it.
The vegetation is quite lush with the valleys filled with tree ferns being overlooked by tall mountain ash. They appear to survive the bush fires better than the snow gums.
Finally, we reach the top of our climb and truly contour around the summit of Mount Arthur.
We then get to the descent down to the Rocky Creek and Bogong village.
It is truly vicious on the knees and is 600 metres over just 1.5 kilometres.
This time the Rocky Creek is crossed with a bridge, and then it's a short stroll back to the cars near Lake Guy.
The group has done 23 kilometres in 6 hours 30 minutes with 2223 metres of descent-hard on the knees. My quads will complain tomorrow.
I drive Malcolm's Pajero back with 5 others. It's an automatic and gutless. Give me my diesel.
Then follows the afternoon routine of shower, change, then catch up the emails and start the blog.
Dinner tonight another BBQ, with Hilary and Eve competing for the best salad.
There is no winner.
The weather starts to change tomorrow so we have an easier walk, then our rest day, then I gather the weather will improve.
For the interested ones, our track click the link
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1408161&code=1b800fe24d24b53f4231eaa0a4be56c7