Leader:John Gregurke. 25 Jan 2006.

An early start for Falls Creek was made following a 6.30 am breakfast. Four different activities were on offer.
1. Heathy Spur walk
2. Exploratory walks around Watchbed Creek
3. Big River Fire Track to Johnston's Hut
4. Big River Fire Track to Mt Nelse.

At 9.30 the first group was dropped off. From the bus we looked out over the rippling blue waters of Rocky Valley Pondage to the contrasting grey rocky shores. Green grasslands merged with Snow Gums under pale blue skies. In the foreground a black cormorant stood sentinel on a rock in the water.

The walk begins. 9.45 saw the bus at the start of Big River Fire track and Watchbed Creek, where all dis-embarked. Looking up the valley on the hillsides to the left and right were the dead trunks of Snow Gums, a result of the 2003 fires. The gums reached to the skyline. Shrubs, grasses, Bogong Daisies, Orange Everlastings and Mint Bushes lined the path. Patches of pale green Sphagnum Moss could be seen along the creek.

Gaining altitude, the track passes under arching dead branches of Snow Gums which give welcome partial shade, to both walkers and to Scaly Everlastings and Derwent Speedwells.

Flame Robins. A family of Flame Robins was watched for some time. The male bird was feeding two young.

Beyond the tree line. As the Snow Gums thinned, masses of Flowering Snow Grasses , Alpine Podolepis, Yellow Kunzea, and other low plants covered the ground, Overhead an Australian Kestrel was seen.

At Marms Point we joined the Alpine Walking Track, with numbered poles marking the path. Watchbed Creek was crossed. Low dams of basalt rocks have been constructed upstream, at 6 metre intervals, to hold back the silt coming down after the fires. A Harrier was seen hunting over the boggy valley.

Rising towards the col, a welcome cool breeze blew. From here we could look eastwards to the distant N.S.W. alps and west to Mt McKay.

The track was thick with Bidgee Widgee. These were brought in on walkers' boots and socks, thus extending there range? Exotic Cat's-ear, White Clover, Sheep Sorrel and Dandelions are also becoming established along the track. A superb patch of Royal Bluebells brought everyone to a standstill.

Mt Nelse. The Mt Nelse turnoff at pole 847 was reached at 11.30 with some of the group making the ascent for a mid-day lunch at the top. Others continued on the Mt Nelse North (1884 m), a further kilometre on, reaching the summit at 12.00. It is a spectacular viewpoint surrounded by mountain peaks. Mt Bogong, Mt Buffalo, Mt Feathertop, the Fainters and Mt McKay are to the north and west In the far distant haze the high tips of the N.S.W. Alps.

Rocks at the Mt Nelse summit appeared to be granitic. This area was totally burned in 2003. Dead branches of shrubs climbed over the boulders. In between, low cushions of new plants are beginning to cover the ground. These include geranium, grasses, shrubs and everlastings.

We returned to Mt Nelse summit where the rock appeared to be of metamorphic origin. White and orange everlastings, Alpine Podolepis and Yellow Kunzea the most obvious plants.

The descent.Our descent commenced over an unburned patch of vegetation with a clear demarcation where new vegetation was growing.

Along the fire track returning to the bus at Watchbed Creek, some of the significant plants seen were Sky Lily, Mountain Gentian and Speedwell.

All of the groups returned to the bus at Watchbed Creek in time for a cup of tea before the planned 3 pm departure for Harrietville.

(contributed)

1: Mt Nelse from the track to Johnston's Hut. The fire trail is on the left of Mt Nelse.
2: Bidgee Widgee. A native member of the Rose family.