Neglected Mountain - Lamington National Park

Video of this trail: https://youtu.be/mb-rURezzRk

This trail begins from the end of Gap Creek Rd, not far from the Stinson Public Camp Grounds.

When you begin, you go through a gate which has Private Property signage. Keep heading up and you come to the Old Hut and old Toyota Landcruiser truck. This is a great place to chill if so inclined. However we are here to hike up to the Neglected Mountain.

From here there are a few routes to go up... left (just low of the old hut site) will take you up the Stretcher Track, which is how I returned. My approach was to head past the cattle gates and veering right, I followed the spur ridgeline upwards. This is a very steep and tough slog, but I finally made it to the Stretcher Ridgeline Track at the top in just under 60 minutes. This route is steeper than you think and treacherous in some parts.

Once on the top ridge trail, this is where the fun begins and is a beauty to traverse. You can't get lost, just keep following it westward. It will initially go upwards in a tight line, and then will level out to a wider area. Neglected Mountain will come into view. Just follow a minimal track that heads toward it. There is another trail that veers to the left, don't go that way, just keep heading toward Neglected. This is where the trail becomes amazing, as it tapers downward to a rocky razor ridgeline trail with amazing views toward Buchanan's Fort on the right, and Running Creek Valley on the left. As you continue, you will notice dirt roads have been bulldozed just below the ridgeline that you are walking. I was amazed how roads were all the way up there - I did not expect them up this high.

This is the saddle area and offers the best views. You then will come to the final approach and begin to ascend up Neglected from the south eastern side. At one point you will come to barbed wire fencing, and just beyond there is a sign stating Private Property.

Continue up this obvious track which now will widen out and give you a chance to catch your breath. In a few more minutes, you will arrive at an obvious summit point that has a very large Rock Cairn, and you will also see a metal pole indicating the summit which is 775m in elevation. Unfortunately, the views here are obscured somewhat but it still is a great place to have a drink and reflect how you have not neglected this mountain. Took me about 50 minutes to reach the Neglected summit from where I ascended to the Stretcher Track Ridgeline.

Mapping indicates that you can continue onwards a bit more and that there may be another Neglected Mountain peak, however this point seemed the most obvious summit, and I was satisfied to call it at this point.

My return was the same as the approach, the only difference was that I continued past where I came up onto the Stretcher Ridgeline, until I came to a Timber Post that has metal plaques from Lismore High School indicating some kind of Boys School Hikes over the years. There is also an Ammo Box with a Walkers Log book here too for you to rifle through to your heart's content.

From here I made my descent back to the Old Hut - this is the actual Stretcher Track descent - and it took me 15 minutes from the top ridgeline ammo box to reach the Hut and Truck. So this is definitely the fastest and safest way to descend. And my car park site was only another couple minutes away just beyond the entry gate.

Overall, a great track to do but the climb to the top ridgeline is extremely steep - be aware. Unfortunately, there was some kind of tick infestation today and I had to remove 5 ticks from my upper body when I got home. Very easy to remove once you douse the little blighters with vinegar, and then pluck out with tweezers. I rated this hike as very difficult due to the extremely steep climb up to the ridgeline, the rest is rated as difficult to the peak.