All The Gear But No Idea: Mount Stilwell - Kosciuszko National Park

Mount Stilwell 03-01-2022

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Route: Charlotte Pass, Kangaroo Ridge, Mount Stilwell

Date: 03/01/2022
From: Charlotte Pass

Parking: Charlotte Pass
Start Point: Charlotte Pass
Finish Point: Charlotte Pass
Region: Kosciuszko National Park

Route length: 5.8km
Time taken: 02:07
Average speed: 4.6km/h
Ascent: 253m
Descent: 253m

Points of Interest: Mount Stilwell

When we were planning to move to Australia, I was thrilled to find that the highest mountains in the country were to be found in New South Wales, in the Snowy-Monaro region of the state - a not unreasonable five-hour drive from Sydney. The region is home to the Australian Alps, straddling the New South Wales and Victoria border. Here you will find Australia's only peaks that exceed 2,000m in elevation and form the backbone of the Great Dividing Range, an extensive series of hills and mountains that run for 3,000km from northern Queensland to northern Victoria.

Within the Australian Alps are the Snowy Mountains (The Snowies), home to the five highest peaks on the Australian mainland, all of which are over 2,100m. The highest is Mount Kosciuszko (Koz-ee-os-Koh), measuring up at a lofty 2,228m. While this sounds impressive, it was possible to drive to within a few metres of the summit until 1977.

As a short warm-up for a long day in the mountains on the Main Range Track, we had our sights set on a slightly lesser target, Mount Stillwell. At over 2,050m, it's no small peak, however, it is only a short hike from Charlotte Pass to the summit and its grandstand view of the Main Range - the high peaks of the Australian Alps.

Mount Stilwell as seen from Charlotte Pass

The hike begins from the turning circle at Charlotte Pass, located above the small village that consists mostly of resorts and hotels, and a number of neighbouring ski runs. The turning circle and public toilets were put in place after the last stretch of the Kosciuszko Road (that winds to Rawsons Pass) was closed to vehicles.

A long line of parked cars at Charlotte Pass

From the turning circle, a number of signs market the various tracks, including the Mt Stilwell route. The hike follows the clear track up the ridge to the rusty ruins of an old ski lift before it continues to climb up a series of stone steps winding between the granite boulders and snow gums, overlooking the village for most of the way.

The ridge leading to the summit of Mount Stilwell

The village of Charlotte Pass

The Triple Chair ski lift

At the top of the Kangaroo Ridge chairlift lies a steel platform. This partially fenced lookout offers broad views to the northwest over the Snowy River valley and across the Main Range. From the chairlift, there are also views down to Charlotte Pass village.

Mount Kosciuszko (left) and Mount Clarke

The Main Range seen from the Mount Stilwell lookout

Looking across the Snowy River valley

At approximately 2,040m above sea level, Mount Stilwell is the highest peak in the ridge line winding around the southern side of Charlotte Pass village. With arguably one of the best views in the Kosciusko National Park, Mt Stilwell’s peak looks down at the village, and out across the main range to Headley Tarn, Mt Twynam and the Snowy River. There is also the lower half of an old trig point located at the peak which, when whole, was used for navigation.

The summit of Mount Stilwell

Looking across Charlotte Pass towards Mount Anderson and Mount David

Mount Stilwell's summit

The structure atop Mount Stilwell

We had intended to visit Little Stilwell before making our way back to Charlotte Pass, however, after some tramping around, we could not find the path through the heather and the boulders, despite our best efforts. Instead, we opted to follow the main ridge path back to Charlotte Pass to dave ourselves for the Main Range hike the following day. Returning down the path gives a slightly different vantage point as it descends back to the car park.