Although Mount Sentinel – also known as The Sentinel – is much lower at 1,905m above sea level than most of its neighbouring mountains, it offers spectacular views over the Kosciuszko Main Range and out to the west. (Based on the topographic map, 1,905m seem to the correct height for Mount Sentinel – but a variety of other heights can be found including 1,917m and even 1,932m as the recorded elevation of the trig.)
From the trig point the unobstructed views to the west stretch from Mount Youngal in Kosciuszko National Park to Khancoban, and a series of lower mountains in Victoria.
To the north is a steep gorge carved out by Strzelecki Creek and Sentinel Ridge, and Watsons Crags, another long ridge off the Main Range.
The trig itself is a basic four-legged steel unit, which has done well to withstand the snow and wind.
The distinctive peak is also quite dramatic when viewed from the Main Range Trail.
Getting to Mount Sentinel
Mount Sentinel can be done as a day-walk from Charlotte Pass:
- 14.3km (795m elevation gain) as an “out and back” walk along the rather boring Main Range Walking Track, which is the quickest and easiest route
- 22.4km loop (1,100m elevation gain) if you take the Snowies Alpine Walk along the Snowy River and climb up from the Illawong Swing Bridge, returning via the Main Range Walking Track.
There are many other routes you can take, including walking off-track, and there are lots of options for adding some additional peaks or a side-trip to the popular Blue Lake. I visited Mount Sentinel as part of a 3-day Ten Peaks bushwalk from Charlotte Pass.
Both of the routes above are all on-track; there’s a distinct but narrow walking pad out to Mount Sentinel that follows the top of the narrow ridge; it’s one of the most spectacular tracks of the Kosciuszko Main Range.
Note that there is one slightly tricky scramble just before the last saddle along the ridge, where you need to climb over two “fins” of rock (gendarmes). It’s not hard when the rock is dry, as there are lots of handholds – I wouldn’t attempt this if the rock was wet or icy,
More information
- Bushwalking NSW – The Sentinel
- Paul Ma – The Sentinel (detailed track notes)
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