SNOW has intensified on the Barrington Tops as the Hunter’s highest points enter their fourth day of wintry conditions.
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Medowie’s Ang Scutt shared several photos of heavy falls on Monday morning, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a high temperature of two degrees for the area.
Mrs Scutt said her family made the trip up once per season, finding a winter wonderland each of the past three seasons.
“It was the best experience we have had at the tops,” Mrs Scutt said of her visit on Monday morning.
“Beautiful fresh powdery snow, faling while we were there.”
“The gates were closed at Honey Suckle but we didn’t really need to go any further up.”
Monday’s snowfalls follow a dusting on Friday ahead of big crowds on the cold weekend.
Bureau spokesman David Barlowe said Monday would likely be the last day in the stint of sleet before a break.
“It’s warming up,” he said.
“It will probably reach about eight degrees on Wednesday and Thursday but on the current forecast [snow] is possible again for the end of the week.”
Monday’s snow arrived as a second cold front, sitting further north than the one that yielded snow on Friday, began to move through.
Mr Barlowe said that front meant there was a more widespread chance of snow in areas including the Barrington Tops.
Road conditions remain icy and very slippery, with roads west of the Firs and at Honey Suckle shut.
Crashes on the mountains
SEVERAL gates have been closed at Barrington Tops after havoc on the roads.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said hazardous conditions forced the closure Forest Road, between the Honeysuckle and Firs gates on the Gloucester side. Access to Scone via the Pheasants Creek Road and Tomalla Road is still available.
It comes after at least three accidents on the mountain on Saturday.
Police said a six-car pile-up saw a four-wheel drive block the road for many hours.
There were fears cars on top of the mountain would be forced to stay there the night, but the road was eventually cleared.
Another accident required a child to be flown to hospital as a precaution.
National Parks said a further update would be provided on Monday morning as it continues to monitor road conditions.
“Motorists are warned that all non-essential travel to the Barrington Tops should be avoided,” NPWS area manager Juanita McCarthy said.
“All people entering remote areas, whether by vehicle or on foot, should inform a family member or other responsible person of their travel plans and expected date and time of return.”
NPWS advises that Barrington Top visitors must have:
- Additional warm clothing
- Food and water sufficient for all members of the party for the duration of the stay, with some reserve for unforeseen circumstances
- 3G or equivalent telephone capable of transmitting from remote areas (be aware that phone reception is extremely unreliable in most areas of the Barrington wilderness)
