Paton's Hut
Wiradjuri Country

2 h, 4 h to 2 days

5.6 km
return

↑ 205 m
↓ -205 m

Hard track
This walk (or mountain bike ride) follows the Dargals Trail from near the Tooma Reservoir spillway to Paton's Hut. Most of this walk is through tall eucalypt forest before heading down to the edge of the Tooma Plain to find Paton's Hut. The iron hut was originally built in 1934 for grazing and was rebuilt in 2005, after the 2003 fires. The hut provides a great place to camp overnight or just rest before walking back. Let us begin by acknowledging the Wiradjuri people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Trail Head sign on Tooma Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Locked Gate at car park. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Toilet near Car park. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Dargals Trail leading under the power lines. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Dargals Trail sign. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along Dargals Trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Tall gums line much of Dargals Trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking through the tall wooded forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Don't forget to look up. | Photo by admin, 2010.
You can see Tooma road along the western end of Dargals Trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Tall forest on Dargals Trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
View across Toolong valley from sections of the Dargals Trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Sign at Dargals Bend. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Tall eucalypt forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Glimpse of Tooma Reservior from Dargals trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking acroos the Tooma Plain. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Dead gums line the trail beside Tooma Plain. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Old fence-line at Paton's Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Trail leading to Paton's Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Paton's Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Inside Paton's Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Inside Paton's Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Some of the original items left in Inside Paton's Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Inside Paton's Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
The remaining items for the orignal Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Paton's Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Paton's Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start At the intersection of Dargals Firetrail & Tooma Road (-36.0497406,148.2820127)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Snowy Mountains Highway, B72
  • Turn on to Link Road then drive for 4.8 km
  • Turn left onto Kings Cross Road and drive for another 11.1 km
  • Turn sharp left onto Snow Ridge Road and drive for another 29.9 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the 'Trail Head Car Park' (on Tooma Rd, about 850m east of the Tooma Reservoir spillway), this walk heads uphill around the locked gate. The walk immediately heads past a toilet (on your left) then comes to a large five-way intersection, with a glimpse of Tooma Reservoir (straight ahead).....
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Dargals Firetrail & Tooma Road Start heading along Dargals Firetrail (a vehicle track).
After another 95 m turn left, to head along Dargals Firetrail.
After another 2.6 km turn left.
Continue another 85 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 2.8 km to get back to the start.
About 10 m past the end is "Patons Hut".
Patons Hut
Patons Hut

Patons Hut is a 7.5m x 5m iron hut, originally built in 1934 for grazing by the Paton family. It burnt down during the 2003 fires, but was rebuilt in 2007-08. The hut has a fireplace and some interesting relics. Around the hut is a grassy flat with some bench seating and a few creeks flow nearby (treat water before drinking).
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Patons Hut is a 7.5m x 5m iron hut, originally built in 1934 for grazing by the Paton family. It burnt down during the 2003 fires, but was rebuilt in 2007-08. The hut has a fireplace and some interesting relics. Around the hut is a grassy flat with some bench seating and a few creeks flow nearby (treat water before drinking).

About 20 m past the end is "Patons Hut".
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Paton's Hut


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 5.6 km
Time 2 h, 4 h to 2 days
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route
Campsite: There is one 2.8 km from the start.

Shelter: There is one 2.8 km from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Campsite
2.8 kmPatons Hut
Shelter
2.8 kmPatons Hut
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Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
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. Between the long weekend in June and October, the Tooma (Khancoban to Cabramurra) Road is closed by the RTA, making access to this walk very difficult. For most visitors, it is best to consider this walk closed during the colder months.
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