South Cape Bay

Saturday 27th September 2014

South Cape Bay

The road down to Cockle Creek was the usual maze of potholes on the gravel section between Ida Bay and Cockle Creek. A new bridge has recently been constructed over Cockle Creek which meant we could drive to the normal car park at the start of the walk.

We set off at 0815 on the track which alternates between a board walk and normal track. The track is easy to follow and is fairly level with only slight undulations. The sign states 4 hours return and it took us about 2 hours to be standing on the beach. A new set of stone steps has been constructed to provide access to the beach since I was last here in 2011. We had the place to our selves, which was very pleasant. The day was perfect, with very little wind. We walked along the beach and found a convenient log to stop for a snack.

We were going to continue walking along to South Cape Rivulet, but I had my doubts about the track over Coal Bluff. Last time I was here this section of track was quite wet and muddy. However, we did start off on this track, but after about 1.0 km. the track became very boggy. I figured that we would run out of time if we continued on, as progress was slow. We walked back to the point were the track first arrives at the top of the cliffs and had lunch.

After a good break we walked back to the car.

This is a great and easy walk with spectacular coastal scenery.

There is a map and GPX file on the South Cape Rivulet walk here.

South East Cape

South Cape

South Cape and Lion Rock

The cliffs where the track arrives at the top

On South Cape Bay beach

Small surf rolling in

Lion Rock

South Cape Bay from Coal Bluff

Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers

The Weld - Short Walks

Saturday 20th September 2014

Junction of Huon and Weld Rivers - Weld enters on the right

A friend had suggested that they would like to see some of the Weld area. I had previously done a little walking in the lower reaches of the Weld so I put together a few short walks so we go experience some different aspects of the area. The walks planned were to the junction of the Huon and Weld Rivers, Fletchers Eddy, Reubens Falls and lastly to the giant trees(Centurion and Triarius), which are more in the Arve area.
We drove out from Judbury and onto Weld Road and Eddy Road to a 4WD track on the left.

4WD track

Over the last few days we had received some rain so I was expecting that there would be some water lying around and also some mud. Both of these proved to be true. We set off along the track and, after dodging puddles and mud we soon reached the junction of the Huon and Weld Rivers. It was a little hard to get a good view of the junction as it was obscured by vegetation somewhat. Both rivers were flowing particularly strongly. We headed back and reached the car in no time.
Distance: 2.4 kms.
Time: 45"
Ascent: 72 metres
Click here to download GPX file for Huon and Weld junction.

Fletchers Eddy

I had to break out a couple of towels to place on the car floor to protect it from muddy boots, as we didn't want to have to take them off each time. Little did I know how useful that would prove. We drove  about 2.2 kms. further up the road to Eric Pettets Road on the right and found a convenient parking spot and commenced our walk to Fletchers Eddy.
Initially the track went downhill to Barnback Creek. It was quite muddy and slippery and when we reached the creek there was no other option but to walk through the water. Once on the other side is where it became interesting, as 4WDs had recently been through here and churned it up massively. My friend managed to step in some mud and sink quite a lot thinking it was solid ground. After dodging mud and water we eventually made it to Fletchers Eddy. The Weld was flowing strongly and it presented a beautiful picture. It is indeed a lovely spot. We had a snack and returned to the car. As we were walking up the last rise I managed to slip over in the mud and my friend ended up sinking once again which resulted in particularly muddy boots this time.

How is this for a muddy good time

Distance: 4.4 kms.
Time: 1'45"
Ascent: 130 metres
Click here to download GPX file for Fletchers Eddy.

Fletchers Eddy

Fletchers Eddy

Fletchers Eddy

Huon and Weld junction plus Fletchers Eddy

The towels definitely came in handy this time. We drove just down the road to the bridge over the Weld and stopped for a look.

The Weld from the bridge

Impressive engineering

The Weld from bridge

From here we drove on up to Glovers Bluff to overlook Fletchers Eddy and the Weld valley and then on to Reubens Falls. South Weld Road now finishes here as the crossing over Isabella Creek has been washed away. The road used to continue on further to provide access to Mount Weld. We walked along the creek on a rain forest type track to Reubens Falls. The track was easy to follow and the falls were really flowing well.
Distance: 2.8 kms.
Time: 1'20"
Ascent: 140 metres
Click here to download GPX file for Reubens Falls.

This was the road crossing over Isabella Creek

Isabella Creek

Reubens Falls Track

Reubens Falls

Reubens Falls

It was then on to the Giant trees which are more near the Arve area really, but adjacent to the Weld.We drove along Southwood Road across the Huon River and stopped at the bridge for a look see.

Huon River

Huon River

It was then on to Edwards Link Road and a selection of forestry roads and then a disused track to the starting point of the walk. Along the way we spied a wombat casually walking along the road, which was a real treat. We set off walking, and, much to my surprise we were following a well taped track. I had been expecting a scrub bash, so was it was easy going. The track went uphill through beautiful mossy rain forest country to the trees location. There are 2 trees, Centurion and Triarius. Both are Eucalyptus Regans - Swamp Gum. Centurion is 99.6 metres tall and is the tallest Eucalypt, tallest hardwood and tallest flowering plant in the world, so it is something special. It is supposed to be 500 years old. There are also some other tall specimens around as well. we returned to the car well satisfied with our exploits of the day.
Distance: 1.4 kms.
Time: 50"
Ascent: 107 metres
Obviously the photos below don't do the trees justice as they were absolutely massive. It gave one a special feeling to think that these giants have now been preserved for the rest of there lives.

Triarius

Centurion

Triarius

Two Giants together

Giant trees

Montagu Thumbs Circuit

Saturday 13th September 2014

Today, we had a good walk doing the Montagu Thumbs Circuit, starting and finishing at Betts Road. There is a walk description and map for the same walk done last year, here.
We had great weather, and after huffing and puffing up Betts Fire Trail and the Cathedral Rock track, we reached the summit in good time. We then walked along Montagu Thumbs Ridge and down to the fire trail and on to Wellington Falls for lunch. There was quite a good flow in the river. The Siphon Track down from the Pipeline Track was quite slippery and I managed to fall over a couple of times. The time taken was very similar to when I did it last year.

Mount Frederick

Thursday 4th September 2014

Mount Frederick Summit

About 2 months ago I attempted to walk to Mount Frederick but chose the wrong route and ended up with a major scrub bash on my hands. I walked up the eastern ridge and was attempting to approach the summit from the east. I managed to reach the top of the ridge okay but the scrub was so thick and unrelenting, that I abandoned that attempt, even though I could see the summit about 1.3 kms. away. Thanks to Becca, who kindly provided me with the correct route, I made it this time.

Nevada Peak and Snowy South in the morning from car park

To reach the walk start you need to drive out from Judbury through Lonnavale, Denison Road, Weld Road and South Weld Road past Glovers Bluff and turn into a logging coup. Included in map below and GPX file.
There was some cloud on the peaks but it looked like it would be a good day. I set off at 0740, up on the old logging track for about 250 metres before meeting the forest. The climb up was relatively steep for about 500 metres or so before levelling out somewhat. There were some downed trees to climb over or around. Once I got into the flatter section there was some tall Pandani and also some cutting grass and also some sections of scrub which were not too bad in comparison to the previous attempt.

Pandani in the flatter section

At the end of the flatter section was the final climb up to the summit. The scrub became smaller the higher I reached and was quite stunted up on the summit. It was quite wet also, with lots of pools of water. The views were okay, but the nearby ranges did have some cloud cover. There was a solar powered communications set up and a small cairn here. After a snack I began the walk back down and by the time I reached the car I was feeling a little tired. I did manage to fall over a few times coming down, as it was quite steep in places. I ended up wet and dirty, but quite satisfied that I had made it.
It is not a bad walk and the views are quite good from the summit. It must also be noted that the entire walk is off track.
Distance: 6.6 kms.
Time: 6'20"
Ascent: 450 metres
Click here to download GPX track.
Below are various views from the summit.

Nevada Peak and Snowy South in the afternoon almost cloud free

Walk Route

Road Access