Knocklofty to Junction Cabin

Monday, 8 July 2013

Knocklofty to Junction Cabin

Sunday 7th July 2013

It was 3 degrees at home this morning and the drive up to Hobart was treacherous as the roads were extremely icy. I made it to the start of the walk in one piece, after having seen the evidence of some cars sliding of the road, and set off about 8.20 am.
The track went across the reserve and then I deviated to the top of the quarry to get some photos of Mount Wellington covered in snow. I then walked back to the track and then downhill, through a gate and met up with the Newtown Trail. This was followed for a couple of kilometres to the Main Fire Trail via Noahs Saddle. This trail looked quite steep from a distance and it proved to be so as I huffed and puffed up to the top. I wanted to see if there were any views of Hobart from the top of Brushy Hill so I turned right at this stage and walked to the top of the hill, but alas no views. It was then back to the Main Fire Trail and then steeply up the Old Farm Fire Trail to Junction Cabin. As I reached about 500 metres the snow started to appear and by the time I reached the cabin it was quite thick and crunchy underfoot. It was 5 degrees here at the cabin.
I took some photos , then headed down the Old Farm Fire Trail on the southern side to the Main Fire Trail again. It was then a matter of walking down the trail to Mc Robies Gully and up the other side to the Newtown Trail, thus forming a loop. I then walked back along this trail, with a few deviations, to the car, which I reached about 1 pm. I saw more people than I was expecting, but I think this was because the road up the mountain was closed and everyone was walking or cycling up to check out the snow.
This was a good walk with great views of Mount Wellington and it was a pleasure to tramp through some snow again.
Distance: 13.4 kms.
Time: 4'40"
Ascent: 870 metres
There is a map and gpx file at Everytrail.
Click here to download GPX track.