Description

From the car park take the Timms Creek track along the side of the river. The track has plenty of tree roots and steep ups and downs including numerous stream crossings and is technical underfoot. After 5.1km cross over the river. This is a substantial river crossing, about knee high (depending on river flow of course).

Once over the river the ascent starts. Climb out of the river onto a spur and up a prominent ridge keeping an eye out for the orange triangles that lead the way up to Mt Fell Hut. The vertical gain is around 1000m over 5km so take your time, no need to burn yourself out. Once the hut is in view, carry on past the hut, keeping the hut on your immediate left and the track goes out the back of the hut and then around to the left to pop out of the trees and onto the tops. In good visibility once out of the bush cover you will be able to see Mt Fell on your right and both Johnston Peak and in the distance our objective Mt Richmond to your left.

Carry on up to the main ridge, take a left at the signage and take the pencil trails, rock gardens, boulders and tussock leading along the ridge following the warratahs, cairns and orange triangles for about 1.5km until you get to a saddle with Johnston peak in front of you. Note - There is a rock cave bivvy at 13km if desperate. Once near Johnston Peak the track veers right. At this stage the summit of Mt Richmond is 300-400m above you and the markers show the way up to the summit. Hop over a rock garden and over a tussock saddle to commence the final steep climb.

Keep going and once your thighs start complaining you're almost at the top! Stick at it for the final push and then celebrate at being at the highest point in the Richmond Range!

Now for the descent - follow the ridge line down and away from the summit for about 0.5km keeping an eye out for the markers that point to a track that descends steeply down a scree face. This is perhaps the most hazardous part of the course. If in doubt lower your centre of gravity and slide down on your backside! Airing on the side of caution for roughly 400m vertical descent will bring your down safely to Mt Richmond Saddle Hut, just below the bush line.

The down hill is tantalisingly close. First, however, there is still about 2km of undulations, technical sidling and staccato style running before gaining the main ridge downwards. Once stood in a rocky clearing with expansive views of Mt Richmond to your left, this is where the real fun downhill starts! Let gravity assist your descent but you still need to stay agile and light on your feet as it's sometimes steep and mostly technical bush running. After 4km you exit the bush and out onto a well formed 4x4 access road - a welcomed change in terrain after the few hours that have just passed by!! This is where the DOC trail has ended and we are now on a public road open to vehicles and other park users so be aware. Take this road all the way downhill for about 3.5km enjoying the pace and easier running all the way to another substantial river crossing to finish on the far side of the river bed.

Features of interest

Two huts to be bagged en-route and for those who make time, you can search for the remains of a twin-engine Lockheed Electra aeroplane, the Kereru, that crashed into Johnston Peak in 1942. There's also a memorial plaque.

Make Up of Run

Untracked / Route only: 20%

Technical Single Track: 60%

Moderate Single Track: 10%

Farm Road / 4WD Track: 10%

Route Data