On Saturday, 18 November 2017, three of us set out to explore The Pinnacle in Lake Eildon National Park. The initial plan was a steep but relatively contained return hike of approximately 10km. Instead, our exploratory day developed into an enormous 31.82km circuit involving Rocky Spur, Rocky Peak, Taylors Creek Track, Dingo Track and Taylors Creek Campground.

By the time we returned to the starting point, we had been hiking for 9 hours and 57 minutes and had accumulated 1,739 metres of elevation gain.

It was a considerably bigger day than anticipated, but the route proved memorable enough that we returned to the area several times in the future. We later adapted it into an overnight pack-carry hike as well.

Hike details

• Date: Saturday, 18 November 2017
• Location: Lake Eildon National Park, Victoria
• Starting point: Junction of Taylors Creek Track and Jerusalem Creek Track
• Hike type: Exploratory circuit
• Recorded distance: 31.82km
• Completion time: 9 hours and 57 minutes
• Elevation gain: 1,739m
• Number of hikers: Three
• Difficulty: Grade 5 where the route travelled off track
• Main features: The Pinnacle, Rocky Spur, Rocky Peak, Dingo Track, Taylors Creek Campground and Lake Eildon views

Exploring Lake Eildon National Park

Lake Eildon National Park lies on Taungurung Country in Victoria’s High Country. Its landscape is shaped by long arms of lake water extending between steep, forested ridges.

The terrain around Jerusalem Creek and Taylors Creek is very different from the damp fern gullies of the Otways. Open eucalypt forest, rocky ridgelines and dry hills dominate much of the landscape, with occasional views across Lake Eildon and the surrounding mountains.

A network of walking tracks and management roads crosses this part of the park. Some tracks are steep, remote or infrequently marked, making careful navigation and self-sufficiency important.

An exploratory beginning

The original hike was advertised as a 5km climb to The Pinnacle followed by a return along the same route. That proposal included approximately 615 metres of ascent and was expected to cover about 10km in total.

Because none of us had previously completed the route, the event was clearly described as exploratory. We knew the plan might change depending on the condition of the tracks and what we found along the way.

The three people who attended were reliable and capable hikers, so we decided to extend our exploration considerably beyond the original return route.

We began near the junction of Taylors Creek Track and Jerusalem Creek Track, close to the southern end of Jerusalem Creek Inlet. From there, Pinnacle Walking Track immediately began gaining elevation through the forest.

The steep climb soon provided increasingly expansive views through the trees.

Spring flowers and wildlife

Although the climbing demanded most of our attention, the forest contained several smaller details worth stopping to photograph. These included yellow and brown orchids, bright blue flowers and other colourful spring blooms.

Wild orchids should be photographed without being picked or disturbed. Their identification can also be difficult from photographs alone, so I would avoid assigning species names unless they have been confirmed by a knowledgeable source.

We also encountered a lizard resting among the vegetation.

Rocky Spur and the climb to Rocky Peak

We continued beyond The Pinnacle towards Rocky Spur. As its name suggested, this section became increasingly rocky and less like an ordinary formed walking trail.

Our route eventually left the track and continued through Grade 5 off-track terrain towards Rocky Peak. Progress required navigation through open forest, scrub and large rock formations.

Off-track travel should not be confused with simply following a rough trail. It requires navigation skills, the ability to interpret the surrounding terrain and a willingness to turn back when the safest route is unclear.

A hiking compass provides a valuable backup to electronic navigation, particularly in forest where phone reception may be unreliable. It is only useful, however, when paired with an appropriate map and the knowledge required to use both.

Rocky Peak

Reaching Rocky Peak brought us to a trig marker and wide views across the surrounding ranges. From the higher ground, multiple mountain ridges appeared to fade progressively into the distance, with sections of Lake Eildon visible between them.

Descending from Rocky Peak

From Rocky Peak, we continued down the opposite side through ferny scrub and tall eucalypts before reconnecting with Taylors Creek Track.

This was another section requiring careful route selection. Descending off track can be more difficult than climbing because loose ground, rocks and vegetation may conceal safe footholds.

After reaching Taylors Creek Track, we followed it through the hills towards the junction with Dingo Track.

The steep descent along Dingo Track

Dingo Track delivered one of the most memorable sections of the day. The track descended very steeply towards Taylors Creek, with commanding views over Lake Eildon and the surrounding mountains.

Cloud and mist remained below parts of the ridge, adding depth to the already expansive views.

Poles can provide additional stability on a long, steep descent, particularly after many hours of walking. Collapsible hiking poles are useful because they can be stowed when travelling through rocky or off-track terrain where both hands may be needed.

Taylors Creek Campground

Dingo Track eventually brought us down to Taylors Creek Campground on the shore of Lake Eildon. After spending much of the day high above the water, reaching the lakeside provided a very different perspective.

The campground would later become relevant when we returned to complete an overnight pack-carry version of the hike. On this occasion, however, we still had a long journey ahead of us.

From the campground, we followed Water Track back towards Taylors Creek Track. Further off-track navigation was then required before we eventually returned to our starting point by descending Pinnacle Walking Track.

A much bigger hike than planned

Our original 10km return proposal had transformed into a 31.82km circuit with 1,739 metres of climbing. Completing it in 9 hours and 57 minutes required sustained movement across steep tracks, management roads and off-track terrain.

The result illustrates the unpredictable nature of exploratory hiking. Finding a possible continuation on a map does not necessarily reveal how steep, overgrown or difficult it will be on the ground.

This was not a route I would recommend reproducing solely from this retrospective account. Anyone entering this section of Lake Eildon National Park should carry current maps, record their route and be prepared to turn around.

For a day approaching ten hours, a headlamp should be carried even when the intention is to finish before dark. Delays caused by navigation, injury or difficult terrain can quickly extend an exploratory hike beyond the available daylight.

Other essential preparations include:

• Sufficient water for a long and strenuous day
• Food and additional emergency rations
• Offline maps and navigation equipment
• A first-aid kit
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• An emergency communication device
• A detailed route left with a responsible contact
• A conservative turnaround time

A route worth returning to

Despite the unexpected distance and elevation, this exploration introduced us to one of the most rewarding areas around Lake Eildon.

The combination of steep climbing, off-track navigation, Rocky Peak, the long Dingo Track descent and changing views of the lake made it a route we wanted to revisit. It subsequently became a repeated Green Trails hike and was eventually developed into an overnight pack-carry route.

The original event was organised and managed through the Green Trails Meetup group.

Trail Hiking Australia now provides information about a shorter Rocky Peak and The Pinnacle hike and the related Jerusalem Creek Pinnacle Circuit. Neither should be assumed to replicate our complete 31.82km exploratory route.

Before visiting, consult the current Pinnacle Walking Track information and check Lake Eildon National Park’s latest access advice and closures.