Mt Wellington and Lake Tali Karng

Requirements: Have had experience hiking with a full pack, and to be able to do it for two days.

As an easy reintroduction to bushwalking (following my climbing distraction) I'm planning a walk into Lake Tali Karng. On a scale of easy to difficult, it's classed as moderate - so should be achievable by anyone who has done an overnight hike before! "Tali Karng is a hidden jewel nestled deep in the mountains of Gippsland, fed by snowmelt waters of the Wellington Plains" and as such is a popular destination for hikers. Hopefully by doing the walk in spring we will avoid the hordes.

Lake Tali Karng is the only natural lake in the Victorian Alps and was created by a landslide 1500 years ago. For more, see

http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/alpine-national-park/things-to-do/tali-karng

And for blogs of others' trips (with photos), see

http://www.hikingfiasco.com/2011/06/lake-tarli-karng-victoria-june-2011.html

http://kgrahamjourneys.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/awesome-hikes-lake-tali-karng/

The route on day one will be from McFarlane Saddle to the lake via the Wellington Plains and Mt Wellington (~19.5 km and 5 to 6 hrs), and on day two from the lake back to McFarlane Saddle via a different route that takes us over Spion Kopje (~14 km and 4 to 5 hrs). The main camp site is at the lake, but there are others on the plains if we prefer. For anyone who has the Bushwalks in the Victorian Alps book, we will be following the Hidden Lake Circuit walk description.

It is about a 4 hour drive to get to the start of the track. We will leave Friday evening and camp at the start of the trail. We may be back late Sunday evening.

It is an overnight hike, so you will need decent footwear, a tent (shared), cooking equipment, warm clothes, rain gear, etc. Some of this can be hired from the club if needed. I have a gear list I can give you if you wish to check.