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