The Jaithmathangs

The Jaithmathangs (pronounced Yit-ma-thangs) are a series of rocky peaks in Victoria’s Alpine National Park, not far from Falls Creek. Formerly known as the Niggerheads, the name was changed in January 2009 to recognise the connection between Victoria’s Aboriginal people and the land. The Jaithmathang, along with the Bidawel, Monero-Ngarigo, Gunaikurnai, Taungurung, Mitambuta, Ngarigu-Currawong, Dhudhuroa, Waywurru and Wurrundjeri peoples, are recognised as Traditional Owners of the alpine country.

The walk started at Pretty Valley Pondage, not far from Falls Creek. The weather was fine and there was only about 20 cars plus a couple of mini-buses parked there. The pondage is the end of the road with a locked gate restricting the Fainter Fire Trail to walkers only. We filled out the intentions book and followed another party of walkers up the hill through open alpine meadows towards Tawonga Huts, some four and half kilometres away.

Tawonga Huts with Mt Jaithmathang behind. The huts are kind of visible near the bottom of the photo if you look really hard.

Tawonga Huts and their associated cattle yards were built when cattle grazing was still permitted in the national park. Cattle grazing was stopped in 2006 but a change in government means cattle grazing is back on the agenda with cattle reintroduced to some non-alpine areas for ‘fuel reduction research’. The hut area was crowded with walkers and mountain bikers having lunch. After a quick bite ourselves, we continued along the fire track towards The Fainters. The fire trail deteriorated – it would be difficult to get a vehicle along it – but made for pleasant walking. A few groups passed us going the other way having spent a long day hiking out to The Fainters and back or having hiked in from  Bogong Jacks.

The Little Plain – a broad saddle between The Fainters and the Jaithmathings – marked the end of the day’s walking and our camp for the night. Water came from a stream running through the open fields and we set up camp among some old Snow Gums, ate dinner and watched the sun set.

Sunset from camp on Little Plain

Some maps show a track from Little Plain to Mount Jaithmathang. It doesn’t exist. Navigation, however, isn’t difficult and we wandered easily across the grasslands, through some boggy bits, and picked our way from peak to peak along the range for a lovely morning’s walking to the summit of Mount Jaithmathang. From here a track that occasionally resembled a creek returned us to Tawonga Huts and the Fainter Fire Trail, which we then followed back to the start of the walk.

Hiking the Jaithmathangs - You Tube