Cooktown - Mt Cook walk to the summit.

This walk was done on the 1/8/2013. Things may have changed since.

Before starting out visit the Tourist Info Centre and get a map of town and details of how to get to the parking area at the start of the walking track. There are narrow dirt roads involved. The parking area is very small but I was able to get my 27 foot motor home in there as there were no other vehicles to contend with at the time. Parking is off Boundary Rd. 

                                     click on an image to enlarge

Head of the trail.

The sign at the head of the trail says that the path is under construction. I think they are referring only to the short walk to the boulders as the gravel makes for a very slippery sliding surface and not appropriate for the amount of slope on the track. Watch you step!

The Bloulders.

As you climb you will come to a section with large rocks or boulders. I would suggest exploring this area should be left to when you are coming down as its best to get the hot work out of the way whilst its still cool.

The path to the first or main lookout, about 2km up the trail, is reasonably good as far as being able to identify and stay on it but you are walking under a tropical canopy and it can be hot and sticky.

Stairs to the first lookout.

Well if you've reached these stairs you are doing well. Take a break and enjoy the view.

The view from the deck.

Still only 2/3 the way up.

From here the trail to the top turns into, at some points, a bit of a grovel climbing over roots and ducking under branches. Keep a close eye out for trail indicators, little red triangles nailed to tree trunks. The summit is still about 1km on.

Base of the Coms Tower.

Its likely you are feeling just a bit disappointed reaching the summit and finding there is absolutely no view due to the tropical vegetation. Not so. First locate the visitors book and sign it and then head south east 50m or so looking for a large rock to climb up on. Here you will get a fantastic view that makes all the effort worth it.

You are 440m above sea level.

Don't get lost on the way down!

The View!