Mount Trio - Stirling Range
We recognise and acknowledge the Goreng and Menang people as the traditional owners of Stirling Range National Park
Spectacular views east along the Stirling Range towards Bluff Knoll and Ellen Peak from Mt Trio.
Bluff Knoll is the most famous peak in the Stirling Range, and this is often the only one people visit. However, there are five additional, similarly accessible peaks, and all of them are far less busy than the Instafame one, especially on weekends: if you prefer solitude, consider the others, many of which have wider views due to their topography.
There are approximately 1500 different plant species in the Stirling Range, about 90 of which occur nowhere else. For botanists, every peak is noticeably different, with rare species occuring only on individual ones: I couldn’t believe the variation in terrain and vegetation on adjacent peaks. Don’t think that if you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all, as is the case in less speciated mountain ranges. Climb as many as your timetable permits!
After a leisurely drive with numerous wildflower stops enroute from the Porongorup Range, which you should definitely visit if in the area, we entered Stirling Range National Park on Friday afternoon with time for this short 3km climb: it’s the perfect hike if it’s too late in the day to complete any of the longer ones (Mt Hassel is another quick alternative). Mt Trio was deserted when we arrived, and only one other group appeared during our hike.
Location Map
Stirling Range hike locations map
Mount Trio hike elevation and distance details
Mt Trio comprises three main peaks (two prominent) connected by a saddle, providing views in every direction. The Class 4 walk commences at the car park with a steep climb to a wide saddle connecting the north and east peaks; you can catch your breath on the saddle as, by then, the hardest work has been done.
Geoff heads off up rather ugly steps edged with beautiful wildflowers. You can see the effects of the 2019 bushfire; in another year or two the eucalypt regrowth will be impenetrable.
Only our car in the carpark… and a great view already!
It’s steep and the track gets rougher as we ascend. Rocky tracks like this are tougher to climb, but more natural than constructed steps.
The view continues to expand and we take a breather; once the eucalypts regrow, some of the views will be obscured. The pale boulder at the base of the mountain is beside the carpark, which is around the corner out of sight.
And oh my, the wildflowers are extraordinary, here Goodenia scapigera
and Mountain Pea, Gastrolobium rubrum
Pausing for another rest. The climb has been slow not only because of its steepness, but because there are so many wildflowers!
Bell-Fruited Mallee (Eucalyptus preissiana) is resprouting on the slopes.
Woolly-headed Dampiera (Dampiera eriocephala).
And another Dampiera. The colour is almost as iridescent as Leschenaultia!
The vegetation is gradually changing as we ascend.
And, excitingly, the rare Mountain Bell Darwinia lejostyla found only on this peak and a few others.
Pimelea suavolens
And Boronia
Views eastwards over the lower peak begin to reveal the range. It is absolutely spectacular.
The vegetation has definitely changed, too. Here on the saddle, we are nearly high enough to be in the region’s montane heath and thicket ecological community that normally occurs above approximately 900 m asl. You can see the skeletal soil and patches of quartzite, and there are kingias but no eucalypts.
And here we are at the top, with a marvellous view southwest across sunlit Mt Hassell to cloud-wreathed Mt Toolbrunup. The weather is approaching fast from the coast; we can see scattered squalls developing as they reach the range.
Bluff Knoll is famous for its ‘cloud waterfalls’, orographic cloud that forms due to topography and sinking air. It is late afternoon and this time we suspect it is the cool sea breeze reaching the range, rising upwards and condensing as it is deflected by the higher terrain. There is no cloud waterfall caused by katabatic airflow over terrain today; this phenomenon is more often seen in the Range in light wind.
Because now the wind has picked up significantly and the temperature has dropped a good ten degrees in ten minutes: the peaks in the range are infamous for sudden and severe weather changes, including whiteout and, incredibly, snow! We head back down.
Rainbows and drifts of rain in the adjacent valley paint a very different picture to the one on our ascent! You can see cloud beginning to swallow the eastern peak.
Cloud sweeps across the saddle, obscuring the eastern peak that, time permitting, we had planned to climb. There is little point now; we have lightweight rain gear in our pack, but you can understand why so many people are caught out. Even though the Stirling Range is not particularly high by world standards, it’s sufficiently prominent above the surrounding plains to create its own weather.
The extra rainfall and cooler temperatures on the peaks create relict biological islands with unique vegetation, and this is why it’s worth exploring more than just Bluff Knoll. Carry appropriate clothing in your pack, and even the weather will be fun!
As we drive out of the car park, the higher peaks of the entire Stirling Range are obscured by cloud, so timing is important if you’re to catch the views from them! This cloud develpment often happens at certain times of day; it may dissipate mid morning as cloud base lifts before reforming again. However, check with your nearby accommodation provider (eg Mt Trio Bush Camp or Stirling Range Retreat), because locals will know exactly when best to see the views, or the clouds!
This walk has been a lot of fun, with terrific variety and vistas over a short distance that’s achievable as a day walk for any leisurely hiker. You’ll be inspired to climb the other unique peaks (stay tuned for Mt Magog and Mt Toolbrunup) in this amazingly biodiverse National Park: Mt Trio is highly recommended for slower hikers!
