Mount Lloyd

Tuesday 15th December 2015

Looking along the ridge from Mount Lloyd

I just wanted to do a short walk today, and even though I have been to Mount Lloyd before (See Here) from the south, I opted for the straight up route from the western side. Access is via Glenfern Road and Mount Lloyd Road and park on the corner of Mount Lloyd Road and Paddy Flats Road.
I set off up an access track and when this ran out I headed more or less east through the scrub towards the summit. The scrub was okay in places but some sections were starting to regenerate and progress was slowed on a few occasions. Up towards the top it became very steep, and was hands and knees stuff some of the way with very mobile scree. I made it without incident but was determined to find a better way down.
It was a reasonably clear day and the views were very good.

Forestry from summit

Mount Lloyd town

Looking north east

Looking north west

Looking towards Wellington Range

Looking towards New Norfolk

Communications set up

Looking over the edge

Looking up towards the range to the south of Mount Lloyd

Section of open rock near summit

After a snack I headed south along the ridge top to try and find a better way down. This I did when I came across a gully that sloped down at a much better angle than what I had encountered on the ascent. This would be a much better route to use to the summit. It was fairly easy going with some scrub and I made it back to the car with no dramas.
This was a good short little walk and the views on a clear day are really good.
Distance: 5.6 kms.
Time: 3'55"
Ascent: 455 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Lune River

Monday 7th December 2015

Lune River

Today I was going to do a short exploratory walk in the Lune River and to save some road walking I decided to ride my bike, thus saving about 8 kms. of walking.
I started just before the locked gate on North Lune Road and rode the 4 kms. to where I was beginning the walk. Now I am not much of a cyclist, but even I found the ride quite easy as there was only a very gentle climb to get there. After stashing my bike behind a large tree I ventured into the scrub. ( I wasn't really expecting anyone to come along, but better to be safe than sorry.)
The scrub was not too bad and after about 200 metres I reached the banks of the river. It was high on this side with no way down, so I headed upstream along the bank to a point where I could climb down to the river bed.

Upstream of where I entered the river

Downstream of where I entered the river

Unfortunately the water level was higher than I was anticipating so there was no option other than to get my boots wet!! I had to be extremely careful as the rocks were quite slippery and did manage to take a couple of tumbles. The river was very picturesque and I soon came to a good swimming hole. No swimming for me today - I don't like cold water.

Swimming Hole

I had to alternate between walking in the river and up along the bank and eventually came to a bend in the river which provided a convenient rest stop. It was very peaceful here and I could hear the occasional lyre bird. There was a great swimming hole here also.

Looking towards the bend

At the bend

I kept going and soon arrive at the junction of Lune River and Gleichenia Creek. Both seemed to have about the same flow at this point.

Gleichenia Creek entering the Lune

Lune River and Gleichenia Creek

Gleichenia Creek and Lune River from upstream

Further upstream the rock hopping became easier as there were more dry rocks and I stopped at an island in the middle of the creek. As I was only having an exploratory walk I decided that this would be a good turn around point.

Small island midstream

On the return, when I reached Gleichenia Creek I took to the scrub and made a beeline towards my bike. It was a bit scrubby in places and there were some very large trees standing and on the ground.
I reached my bike and sat down for lunch.

The scrub

I rode up to the end of the road to see how far it went. Not far, only into a logging coup. I then simply cycled back to the car and arrived before I was expecting to.

Mesa Creek

Mesa Creek

Bridge across Mesa Creek

This was an enjoyable ride /walk and the Lune River is quite pretty but would be best tackled when the water level is lower.
Distance: 11.3 kms.
Time: 4'00"
Ascent: 122 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Barn Back

Sunday 22nd November 2015

Barn Back Ridge

 The Barn Back track follows a long ridge that runs more or less north/south and starts near the Southwood mill. My aim was to start opposite Denison Hill on Weld Road and walk up an old 4WD track to join the Barn Back track on the top of the ridge and return via Badger Saddle and Denison Road to the car. It mostly worked out but took longer than I was anticipating, due to major scrub bash.
I parked at the start of the track on Weld Road and commenced the climb.

Near track start

Rimons Hill

Denison Ridge foreground and Russell Ridge behind

Huon Valley

Weld Road

I soon reached a logged area where there were good views although it was a little hazy. After leaving this area behind the track meandered through some nice forest before intersecting the Barn Back track. It was a steady climb of 350 metres to reach here.

Track through the forest

I continued on in a northerly direction along the Barn Back track. It was pleasant walking mostly with a few boggy patches to dodge around.

Barn Back track

Nice forest on Barn Back track

Barn Back track

I eventually reached a good forestry road and walked along it until I reached the place where I had decided to cut through the scrub to Badger Saddle. There were good views here. It was a mistake really to leave the road at this point. Walking down along the edge of the logged area was fine to start off with but I soon encountered some cliffs with no way of getting down.

Denison and Russell Ridges

Huon Valley

 I had to walk across the coup until I found a place to climb down and eventually met the road I should have followed down. All good in hindsight. I then cut across to the edge of the cleared area and continued down. It was not easy going and was very steep, but I did eventually reach the track I was looking for. I knew it was there because I used it to access Punna Falls last year.

The cliffs that I had to avoid

I carried on to meet the track that follows the ridge line down beside Badger Creek and walked down this to Denison Road and then along Weld Road to the car.
This was a good walk with some nice scenery, but would have been better if I had avoided the unnecessary scrub bash.
Distance: 17.5 kms.
Time: 7'00"
Ascent: 725 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Crib Hill

Sunday 15th November 2015

Mount Snowy from Crib Hill

 I intended to start at Arve Road near the Arve River crossing and walk up Crib Hill Road and then down, across Arve River twice and return to the car on an old track. I guess I convinced myself that I could see the tracks on Google Earth, but alas they were not there. It turned out okay despite this.
I parked the car in Crib Hill Road just down from the locked gate and set off uphill. It was a gentle climb of 400 metres over 4.0 kms. to reach the plateau that is Crib Hill. There was no distinct peak.
The walk was on a good forestry track through some nice forest in places with some remnant large trees.

As I neared the plateau I could see some views of the Hartz Mountains through the trees but better views were to be had at the end of the road where there was a forestry coupe. I climbed up into the cleared section so I could see more but alas the cloud had come over and covered the peaks. Never the less it was quite scenic.

End of road and forestry coup around the corner on this hill

Hartz Mountains

Hartz Mountains

Hartz Mountains

I had a snack and then walked back down the road to see if I could find the track I wanted that led down towards the river. I had not noticed it on the way up, and for good reason, because it was non existent. I had a good search but to no avail. The scrub was not very inviting so a scrub bash was not really an option. I decided to walk back down the road and approach the river from the other track. I checked out some side tracks on the way down but they simply came to a dead end.

I had seen the track that I wanted on the way up, so when I reached it, I followed it until it ran out also. The scrub didn't look too bad but it was about 400 metres down to the river and by this time I had had enough, so simply returned to the car.

The final track

Large trees across track

Although I did not achieve what I set out to do, this was quite a good walk, although it would have been better if the mountains had not been clouded in.
Distance:19.7 kms.
Time:5'12"
Ascent 645 metres
Click here to download GPX file.