Snowy South

Saturday 26th January 2013

Snowy South Summit

I had been waiting for a clear day to walk to Snowy South, and, although today was not totally clear, it did not look to bad, so off I went.
To access the start of the walk drive out from Judbury on Lonnavale Road and take the left fork into Denison Road and then right into McDougalls Road and finally left into an unnamed road and drive a short distance to a small parking area. Signs indicating "Lake Skinner" generally indicate the correct direction.

Lake Skinner

I started off at 0740 with fine weather and walked south westerly for about 20 minutes until I met up with the old track. From here the track climbed steadily through nice forest until it reached a plateau and then went down slightly and the up again to come out at Lake Skinner at about 3.4 kms. from the start. Here I stopped for a snack and photo opportunity.

Shelter Rocks at Lake Skinner

Lake Skinner is a beautiful large lake and just near the its outlet of Falls Rivulet is an ideal rock shelter to protect ones self from the weather. The weather was okay so far so I did not require it and soon headed off across the rocks on the outlet of the lake. I picked up the track on the other side which went uphill gradually and then very steeply up to the top of the ridge. The track from here was mostly boulder hopping for a while and then became a track marked with cairns.

Tarn near the summit

When I could see the small tarn near the summit I turned left and headed for it and to the left of it. By now the summit was shrouded in cloud but I had come this far so I just kept going. It was just a matter of finding the best route up to the top along a bit of a ridge. I finally reached the summit which was still in cloud so there were absolutely no views to be had. I found a sheltered spot for lunch and discovered a sort of a cave.

Cave at the summit

After lunch I walked back down to the tarn and back along the ridge. There was no cloud along here and the views were great. I descended the steep section and came across a fellow hiker at Lake Skinner, and after exchanging a few words, carried on back to the car.
This was an excellent walk with fantastic views (what I saw anyway when I wasn't in cloud). I will have to do it again but choose a slightly better day.
Distance: 12.3 kms.
Time: 6'30"
Ascent: 860 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Looking up at the Snowy Range from Lake Skinner

Lake Skinner Outlet

Lake Skinner

Lake Skinner from track up the cliffs

From Snowy Range

Snowy South Summit

From Snowy Range

From Snowy Range

Mount Marian

Saturday 12th January 2013

Mount Marian from East West Trail

I drove up to the Myrtle Forest car park and commenced walking just on 0830. The track went up past the Myrtle Forest picnic shelter and up via Myrtle Creek to meet the Collins Cap fire trail. This was followed until it intersected with the East West fire trail and then the short cut taken over Glen Dhu Rivulet. I then walked past Trestle Mountain and continued on the East West trail.
I eventually reached the cairn indicating the start of the ascent to Mount Marian on the right. The ascent was pretty straight forward, following a track which was clearly marked. It took me 2'45' to reach the summit from the start of the walk. There were fabulous views from the top - probably one of my favourite peaks in the area.
After a break for lunch I retraced my steps back to the car. This is a great walk, partly on track and partly on fire trails and provides great views from the summit.
Distance: 15.7 kms.
Time: 5'20"
Ascent: 844 metres
Click here for GPX track.

                                                                   Various views from the summit

East West fire trail

Old Hartz Track - Kermandie Falls

Saturday 5th January 2013

Kermandie Falls

The Old Hartz Track was blazed in 1896 by the Geeves family to gain access to the Hartz Mountains and therefore has some historic significance.
To reach the start of the walk drive to Geeveston and just past the town centre turn right into Kermandie River Road and travel about 2 kms. to a fork in the road where there is a sign indicating Kermandie Falls.
Follow this for about 2.3 kms. to a small parking area. The road becomes quite narrow towards the end but is generally okay.

Section of walking track

I set off walking just before 0800. I had noticed some smoke from a bushfire driving up so I made a mental note to keep an eye on that. The track immediately crossed South Creek and after about 250 metres came to a well formed road. Here I turned right and walked down this road for a short distance before finding the start of the walking track to Kermandie Falls on the left. From here the track paralleled the Kermandie River all the way to the falls. The track was indistinct in places but was marked here and there with flagging tape. About 200 metres before the falls was a junction with one way going up to the falls and the other following the Old Hartz Track.

Kermandie Falls

I walked up to the falls which were not flowing too much, but never the less were quite a nice sight. I stopped here for a short while for a break and then headed back to the junction and took the fork to Old Hartz Track. The track went uphill before coming to an old track which I followed to meet an old railway formation. There were numerous small trees down across this but it was not too hard to climb over them. I continued on as the track alternated between an old rail trail and just a walking track in places. There were a few tapes here and there but generally the track was fairly easy to follow.

Kermandie River

After about 8 kms. of walking I reached the Kermandie River crossing which was easily forded and carried on to come across a previously logged and burnt area. There was no evidence of a track here so I ended up walking across it in a south westerly direction to pick up the track on the other side. From here it turned out to be another kilometre to reach Bennetts Road which was my objective today. Here I had a short stop for lunch and then began the return journey. As I was nearing the falls the smoke was becoming thicker and thicker so I must have set a record pace getting back to the car. I need not have worried as there was no sign of fire and it was probably nowhere near me, although it can be a little scary.
This was a good walk through quite nice forest along the river. The track climbs steadily all the way to Bennetts Road and from here it continues on to Hartz Mountains. It would be a good through walk from Kermandie River Road to Hartz Mountains but would obviously involve a car shuffle.
Distance: 19.1 kms.
Time: 7' 00"
Ascent: 630 metres
Click here to download GPX track.
I have since walked the remainder of the Old Hartz Track from Bennetts Road to Hartz Mountains. See here for details.

Sign at Bennetts Road