We travelled from Feathertop Chalet, Harrietville via Falls Creek to the starting point just beyond the Rocky Valley dam wall. The well-defined path rose gently through tussocky grasses, shrubs and scattered Snow Gums. Metamorphic gneiss indicated some geological history. The original rocks have been changed due to intense pressure and temperature.

Fire. The 2003 summer fires decimated most of the patches of Snow Gums. A few Snow Gum patches were not burned and provided havens for some animals. Many of the Snow Gums showed large healthy green regrowth.

Birds. A variety of birds were seen, including Flame Robin, Brown Thornbill, Crescent Honeyeater and Silvereye.

Wildflowers. A colourful variety of wildflowers enhanced the Bogong High Plains. Clumps of early-flowering Snow Daisies displayed fluffy spheres of seeds ready to be released and blown by the winds. White Snow daisies gleamed in the sunlight. Orange Everlastings provided patches of brilliant colour. The blue Bogong Daisy was abundant. Yellow patches of colour were provided by silver Scaly Buttons, large golden Billy Buttons and smaller Billy Buttons. There were a few scattered Bluebells and yellow Podolepis. Groundcovers included yellow-flowered Goodenia, small blue Fanflowers and Carpet Heath. A few patches of Alpine Everlastings and deep-pink Trigger Plants were seen. The beautiful ground-hugging Sky Lilies were the highlight of the walk.

Sphagnum bogs. The sphagnum bogs showed a mosaic of green colours and shapes. The Alpine Leek Orchid was seen. The bogs should be healthier without the grazing cattle which tend to disrupt the bog plant cover and cause drying out of the bogs.

We had lunch among a beautiful patch of Snow Gums with a magnificent view of the blue water in the dam.

(contributed)

1: Royal Bluebells.
2: Carpet Heath.