Bogong High Plains

Infobox Mountain Pass
Name = Bogong High Plains
Photo = bogonghighplains.jpg
Caption = Typical winter scene
Elevation = ~1400 m - 1986 m
Location = Victorian Alps
Range =
Coordinates = coord|36|56|S|147|18|E|type:pass_region:AU
Topographic

Traversed by =The Bogong High Plains are a section of the Alpine National Park in the Australian state of Victoria and are situated south of Mount Bogong. This area forms part of Australia's Great Dividing Range and in winter is one of the largest snow covered areas in the country. It can be easily accessed from the ski resorts of Mount Hotham and Falls Creek. The area is very popular for both summer and winter time activities.

The area is popular for ski touring and all types of cross-country skiing through winter months. A trail called Australian Alps Walking Track is popular for hiking in summer and cross-country skiing in winter. Mountain biking and bushwalking are common in summer. [http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=41 Parks Victoria] "Alpine National Park", Accessed 21/1/7]

Local towns and villages provide the best possibility for exploring the areas. Two ski resorts, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek are within this area and are open for both summer and winter activities. Towns like Mount Beauty and Harrietville are also very popular.

History

The area was first settled and explored by graziers seeking pastoral land mainly for cattle. The biggest early development for the area was the Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme which began construction in the 1940s. Two dams were constructed, Pretty Valley Pondage and Rocky Valley Dam, and a series of aqueducts built to capture streams and bring their flows across into the catchments of the Kiewa Scheme. McKay Creek and West Kiewa Power Stations supply most of the electricity generated. Since completion of the Scheme, the area has become much more based around tourism, particularly skiing.

Scientific Research

in 2005, in part because of the compelling evidence provided by this particular experiment. Fact|date=June 2007

The Bogong High Plains continues to have an important place in scientific research. In summer, large numbers of scientists conduct research in the area, including studies of hydrology, vegetation change, fire response, weed invasions, occurrence of native animals (Mountain Pygmy Possum, Alpine Skink) and introduced species (such as hares). The area is also home to a component of the International Tundra Experiment (ITEX), which investigates aspects of global climate change. It is trying to predict the future impacts of temperature increases. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/13/1087065031898.html Alpine plants put to global warming test] The Age, June 14, 2004, Accessed 12/9/07]

Bushfires

This area is prone to bushfires because of the large amount of native forest. The 2003 Eastern Victorian alpine bushfires devastated much of the areas of forest. Many well-known huts were destroyed. More recently the area was again threatened during the 2006-07 Australian bushfire season but due to good luck regarding the weather damage appears to be minimal in comparison.

Huts

Alpine huts in the area provide accommodation for people out in the winter ski touring and those interested in hiking or other activities in the summertime. There would be tens of huts just in this area each different and equipped for different purposes. They were first built by European pastoralists moving in from NSW in the 1830s but are no longer used by pastoralists. Many are run by ski clubs but some are not regularly used or maintained at all. Here are just two examples:

Wallace's Hut is the oldest on the high plains the first part being built in 1889 but like most of the huts has been extended since. It has no modern facilities and so is not used for accommodation. It is only 4.5 m by 3.7 m. [ [http://www.kosciuskohuts.org.au/Hut%20Profiles%20VIC/Profile%20Wallaces.htm Kosciusko Huts Association] "Wallace's Hut", Accessed 21/1/07]

. [ [http://www.bogongroverchalet.com Bogong Rover Chalet] Accessed 21/1/07]

Ecology

Vegetation

The Bogong High Plains contain a mixture of various types of vegetation. About 50% of the High Plains are heathlands, which cover some of the steeper and more wind protected areas in the high plains. The soils are typically shallow and rocky. Approximately 25% of the High Plains are grasslands, which occur in more exposed areas, on gentle slopes are typically more resistant to wind and frosts. Some of the best soils occur in wetlands, which cover about 10% of the high plains. These areas are defined as places where there is stationary water for at least one month per year. The presence of water typically leads to highly organic soils, from the decay of vegetable matter, and very little mineral matter. Snow patch herb fields occur in places where snow remains for a large portion of the summer and are very rare.

Area Peaks

Mount Bogong, the highest mountain in Victoria, is just to the north of the High Plains. It is technically not part of the high plains because it is separated by Big River. Several huts are on the mountain, the earliest of which was built following the death of a skier in 1936. [ [http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mtbogong/ The Mount Bogong Club] , "History" , July 2007, Accessed 22/8/07] Mount Feathertop is a much more foreboding summit in the west of the Bogong High Plains. It is a popular bushwalking destination due to its proximity to Mount Hotham but can also be approached from Harrietville. [ [http://www.remotetech.com.au/bushwalk/mtfeath.html Remote Tech's Bushwalking Site] , Mt Feathertop , Accessed 22/8/07]

Ski Resorts

The two most popular mountains are Mount Hotham and Falls Creek, elevation convert|1780|m|ft|0|abbr=on, two of Victoria's most popular ski resorts. [ [http://www.visitvictoria.com/displayobject.cfm/objectid.00029043-D819-1ECA-9D8580C476A90000/vvt.vhtml Victoria's seven alpine resorts] "www.visitvictoria.com" Accessed 5/9/7]

See also

* Bogong (disambiguation)

References

External links

* [http://wikiski.com/wiki/index.php/Bogong_High_Plains WikiSki] - Backcountry skiing in the Bogong High Plains