Mount Field East

Tuesday 24th May 2011

Mount Field East Summit

There are two starting points for the Mount Field East walk, both on Lake Dobson Road. Head towards Mount Field National Park on Lake Dobson Road and the lower car park is sign posted on the right and the upper park is about 2 kms. further up the road. This enables one to walk either clockwise or anticlockwise, or out and back from either park.
I chose to start from the upper park in very cloudy and misty conditions and visibility was not great.

Lake Fenton

I walked along the track, crossed Lake Dobson Road, went past the lake and on to the track proper. The track climb steadily and my first objective was to walk up to Seagers Lookout. Why, I don't know, because I knew I would not be able to see anything, but up I went anyway. Just as I had expected, a total whiteout.

View at Seagars Lookout

As I was descending from the lookout a light snowfall began and it was quite pretty.

Snow fall on Seagars Lookout track

I reached the main track and kept going up slightly to Windy Moor which was quite wet in places but easily negotiated. By this time visibility had improved somewhat and I could see Mount Field East in the distance.

Mount Field East from Windy Moor

I walked across the moor and found the ascent track which proved to be mostly over boulders. It had an ice covering and was quite slippery so I had to take my time. Even so it only took 20" to reach the top. It had cleared a little more to provide some views which were appreciated.

From Mount Field East Summit

I climbed back down and walked down past Lake Rayner and Lake Nicholls where I stopped at the hut for a bite to eat.

Lake Nicholls

I then kept going down and found the Old Pack track on the right which gradually climbed back to the car sometimes on track and sometimes for short distances on the road.
A very enjoyable walk in nice alpine country, and even though the views were restricted it was still a great walk.
Distance: 11.0 kms.
Time: 4'45"
Ascent: 616 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Seagars Lookout track

Track to Windy Moor

Mount Field East

Mount Field East

Lake Rayner

Lake Nicholls hut

South Cape Rivulet

Saturday 21st May 2011

South Cape Bay

To reach the walk start, drive down to Cockle Creek and park just on the other side of Cockle Creek bridge. The walk started  just beside the creek and consisted of part walking track and part duckboards all the way to South Cape Bay. It was basically what I would call flat to South Cape Bay. I could hear the waves long before I arrived at the beach.

South Cape Bay

I descended to the beach on the stairs and walked along the beach towards Lion Rock.

Lion Rock

To continue on to South Cape Rivulet one has the option of either of two ways. The first path is via the rocks between Lion Rock and the mainland, but that is only safe if the tide is not in and the waves are not high. The other option is on a path up and over Coal Bluff. I chose the latter option. The path turned off just before Lion Rock and climbed reasonably steeply up the bluff. It was very muddy and I had to continually dodge mud puddles.

Looking West from Coal Bluff

The track descended to the beach before going inland to cross the headland in the above photo and then back on to the beach and along to South Cape Rivulet. I found a nice sheltered spot for lunch and settled down.

South Cape Rivulet

After lunch I retraced my steps back to the car, once again going over Coal Bluff via the inland route.
This is a lovely walk and it is worth walking the extra distance to the rivulet for the good views at Coal Bluff.
Distance: 23.1 kms.
Time: 6'45"
Ascent: 595 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

South Cape Bay

South Cape Bay

South Cape Rivulet

South Cape Rivulet Beach

South Cape Rivulet Beach

Coal Bluff Track

South Cape Beach access

Adamsons Falls

Thursday 19th May 2011

Adamsons Falls

The walk start is in Coal Hill Road off Chestermans Road near Hastings Caves.
I headed off just after 1000. The track was very wet and also boggy in places but was easily walked as it was well marked. The track climbed gently uphill for about 3.0 kms to reach the falls. There was a reasonable cascade of water over the falls but I think it would be quite spectacular after rain. I retraced back to the car.
A good short walk that only takes a couple of hours.
Distance: 5.9 kms.
Time: 2'09"
Ascent: 190 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

                                                                            Various views of the falls

Trestle Mountain from Mountain River

Monday 16th May 2011

Trestle Mountain after the cloud

The walk start is reached by driving out on Mountain River Road from Grove in the Huon Valley to almost the end of the road where there is a small area to park.
The track start was obvious where there was a sign indicating that it was closed to vehicles. The walk is actually up the old Mountain River Trail. There were a couple of washed out bridges to negotiate but it was all pretty straight forward. It was a constant grind uphill going from 220 metres elevation up to 970 metres in about 5.6 kms. distance. At this point the trail intersected the East west Trail and I turned left and walked along this to an obvious sign indicating the start of the ascent track.

Washed out bridge on Mountain River Trail

The track was easy to follow over boulders and track up higher  but as I neared the top the cloud came in and it was a whiteout. I didn't stay long and headed back down and once I had reached the fire trail the cloud had disappeared. Always the way. I continued on back down the trail to the car.
A good walk probably except for the uphill grind. I have since been back to Trestle Mountain from Myrtle Forest and attest that the views from the summit are great.
Distance: 13.8 kms.
Time: 5'00"
Ascent: 990 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Trestle Mountain with cloud rolling in

Collins Cap

Collins Bonnet

Collins Bonnet

Arthurs Peak

Friday 13th May 2011

Arthurs Peak

Although Arthurs Peak does not look very impressive in the above photo the views from the summit are great.
The start of the walk is at Fortescue Bay on the Tasman Peninsula. From the day use area walk back down the road to find the Cape Pillar track.
Today I started out at 0745. The track to Cape Pillar is a good track and easy to follow. At about 4.5 kms. from the start I came across the track junction with Arthurs Peak to the right. From here the track became quite wet in places and I was continually dodging puddles of water. It was flat across here and gradually Arthurs Peak came into view. The track was lost occasionally but it was generally easy to follow. I did the finally ascent to the summit and was greeted with glorious coastal views. Crescent Bay was most spectacular.

Crescent Bay

I had morning tea overlooking the sea and about 300 metres above it. There were birds flying around and a cruise boat to be seen. After a break I returned to the car.
A good walk with amazing views at the summit.
Note  With the construction of the Three Capes track please check out Steve B's comments below re the access.

Distance: 16.4 kms.
Time: 5'00"
Ascent: 512 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Mount Brown and Crescent Bay

Looking towards Black Head

Port Arthur Bay

Looking towards Black Head

Port Arthur and Stewarts Bay

Port Arthur and Stewarts Bay