Dead Horse Gap to Cascades Lookout return

Covered in snow part of the year

This walk leads through an extreme alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both very hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, snow, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Between May and the end of October, this walk is likely to be covered in snow/ice, visitors should be carrying and be prepared to use snowshoes or cross country skis. When there is a chance of significant snow on the ground, visitors will need particularly strong navigation and snowcraft skills – tracks and signage may not be visible. For most visitors, it is best to consider this walk closed during the colder months.

Dead Horse Gap

Dead Horse Gap is a relativley low mountain pass in the Great Dividing Range at 1582m AMSL. It was once a meeting place for Aboriginal groups in the summer, where they would perform ceremonies and trade with each other. In nature the pass acts as a funnel for the migration of insects and birds[1]. In the early 20th century, the pass became increasingly popular with stockmen, who brought sheep and cattle to the mountains each summer.[2]

(0km) Cascades Trail track head → Int of Thredbo River and Dead Horse Gap tracks

160 m
3 mins
6m
-3m

Moderate track

From the Cascades Trail track head car park (on the Alpine Way 5.4km west of Friday Drive), this walk crosses the road and turns left following the ‘Thredbo Walking Tracks’ sign[3] along the track behind the road barrier. The track leads down the wooden steps[4] to soon cross Bogong Creek[5] on a metal bridge[6]. Here the walk heads up a few steps to a signposted intersection[7] with the ‘Dead Horse Gap Track’.

(0.16km) Int Thredbo River and Dead Horse Gap tracks → Cascades lookout

1.9 km
39 mins
22m
-104m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Thredbo village 4km’ sign[8] gently downhill whilst keeping the valley (and road) to your right. The track gently undulates along the side of the valley and after about 600m the track leads over a series of metal erosion control grates[9]. The walk continues crossing a series of these grates for about another 600m before leading down a long series of steps[10] to find a large metal bridge[11].
Continue straight: From the small clearing[12], this walk crosses Thredbo River using the long metal bridge[13]. This walk then turns left and heads through the grassy flat (initially over a metal grate[14]) enjoying the scattering of snow gums[15]. Before too long the track comes closer to the river again the leads down a log lined set of stairs[16] to cross the Thredbo River again on another metal bridge[17].
Continue straight: From the bridge, this walk crosses to the north side of the river and follows the bush track downstream, winding down the hill and through the snowgum forest. The walk continues along a metal walkway followed by a wooden boardwalk, then heads down a long hill to the intersection at the Thredbo River Cascades lookout platform.

Cascades Lookout

This metal platform leans over the Thredbo River, lookout upstream to the flowing cascades. There is also a wooden seat provided here, making it a great rest stop, conveniently situated about half way between Dead Horse Gap and Thredbo Village, on the Thredbo River track.

Maps for the Dead Horse Gap to Cascades Lookout return walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Chimneys Ridge	1:25 000 Map Series	85241N CHIMNEYS RIDGE	NSW-85241N
Jacobs River	1:100 000 Map Series	8524 JACOBS RIVER	8524

Cross sectional view of the Dead Horse Gap to Cascades Lookout return bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Dead Horse Gap to Cascades Lookout return

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	4.1 km
		Time	1 hr 45 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 1.6km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 470m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 1.9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 160m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 1.6km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 470m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 1.7km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 340m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 1.6km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 470m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 2km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Dead Horse Gap to Cascades Lookout return walk starts and ends at the Cascades Trail track head (gps: -36.522924, 148.26452)
Your main transport option to Cascades Trail track head is by;

Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
(get details)

Fire Danger

Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Snowy Mountains weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/dhgtclr

Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)

Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂

Dead Horse Gap to Cascades Lookout return

Covered in snow part of the year

Dead Horse Gap

(0km) Cascades Trail track head → Int of Thredbo River and Dead Horse Gap tracks

Moderate track

(0.16km) Int Thredbo River and Dead Horse Gap tracks → Cascades lookout

Moderate track

Cascades Lookout

Maps for the Dead Horse Gap to Cascades Lookout return walk

Cross sectional view of the Dead Horse Gap to Cascades Lookout return bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Dead Horse Gap to Cascades Lookout return

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Some more details of this walks Grading

Gradient

Quality of track

Signs

Experience Required

weather

Infrastructure

Similar walks

Other Nearby walks

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

Fire Danger

Weather Forest

Park Information & Alerts

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