This day trip was well supported with 16 registered. We made an early start. The recently reopened Graham Valley road was in excellent condition with the repairs of a major slip at the top of the concrete strip section now completed. It was a cool, calm morning at Flora car park with some mist around the tops.
We divided into two parties with a keen group of four starting first and intending to go over Lodestone and on to Mt Hodder. The rest of us followed at a more leisurely pace. The first 100m vertical was a grunt as always before the long, more gradual spur. A morning break was taken just before the steepening ridge. This allowed the beloved trip leader to catch up. Then, on up through the interesting bluffy section and finally exiting the bush onto the broad, shaley summit.
With no wind we enjoyed excellent views al around. We glimpsed Flora Hut in Edwards Clearing way down below. Mt Arthur still had patchy snow but there were only tiny remnants on Lodestone from a Southerly front that had passed through 36 hours prior. A light breeze came up, so we headed down the track towards Flora. This is steep, initially, but there was no ice. Once in the bush it was less than an hour's doddle on the excellent Duttons Track down to Flora Valley where the stream was crossed without wet feet. Lunch was had outside the Flora Hut in the sunshine. The water system installed by NTC was still working and the interior had only minor graffiti. After about 30 minutes, the other group turned up.
Rather than going up Mt Hodder, they had descended Lodestone Creek from the saddle beneath Mt Lodestone to reach Flora Stream and the 4WD road, about 2km from the hut.
We all strolled 30 minutes up the road back to the carpark. Everybody was satisfied with the outing through varied terrain in such excellent weather and good company. Graeme’s GPS recorded 700m of vertical ascent, with three hours of walking time.
Climbers were: Pat, Tony, Graeme, Rosie-Anne, Richard, Susan, Linda, Carolyn, Jane. Shane. Visitors: Alice, Kirsty, Sandy, Nadine, Janine, Brett.
