Glen Dhu Rivulet

Saturday 28th March 2015

Glen Dhu Rivulet

Today I had a leisurely walk to Glen Dhu Rivulet with a couple of friends. See post on Collins Cap for route details.
The weather was overcast to start off with but cleared later on to a sunny afternoon. We followed the same track that I used last time but omitted Collins Cap. The track was quite wet after the recent rain but no problem. Both Myrtle Forest Creek and Glen Dhu Rivulet were flowing strongly. We spent some time wandering around Glen Dhu Rivulet before returning. The climb back up from Glen Dhu Rivulet was the energy sapping jaunt that I remembered from last time but we took it fairly casually. The scenery improved on the way back as the cloud had lifted and the usual array of mountains were visible.
A good walk with nice scenery.
Distance: 11.8 kms.
Time: 6'30"
Ascent: 887 metres

Myrtle Forest Falls

Glen Dhu Rivulet

Myrtle Forest Creek

Lake Belcher

Saturday 21st March 2015

Lake Belcher

The walk to Lake Belcher starts from the car park on Wombat Moor in Mount Field National Park.
I knew the walk was going to be wet and boggy and probably muddy as well, but that did not deter me, even though I really hate having wet boots.
I set off early from home and was walking by 0750. The weather was fine and quite cool with just a touch of ice on the section of boardwalk on the first part of the track. As usual the track across Wombat Moor was wet with little streams flowing along the track. I did manage to keep my boots dry on this part of the walk.

Mount Mawson from track

It took about 45 minutes to reach the point opposite Mount Mawson where the track started to descend to the Humboldt River. The descent was fairly gradual but seemed to go on forever, taking about an hour to reach the river crossing. The crossing consisted of a log spanning the river. The river was not wide but had a reasonable flow and without the log I would have had wet feet.

Humboldt River from log bridge

Up until the crossing the track had been well defined but from here it was less so, although still quite easy to follow. It became very wet and boggy and I soon ended up with wet boots and did sink up to my knees in a few places where there were well disguised holes. It was not overly muddy, just wet. It took a further half hour to reach the cabin where I stopped for a well earned snack. The cabin was in reasonable condition and would be a welcome site in cold snowy conditions. All along the walk beside the river were great views of the surrounding mountain ranges. which put them in a different perspective.

I walked down to the river to check it out and then on to Lake Belcher. The lake looked great in the morning sunshine and the water was so clear. After wandering around for a while I started heading back.

On the way back I did manage to step in more holes but reached the river crossing unscathed and began the ascent. I came across a group of Friends of Mount Field doing some track clearing which was quite unexpected. They do a great job of track and hut maintenance in the area. I found a sunny spot on the way up for lunch as I was rather wet from my many stumbles, but did not dry off much. I was grateful to finally reach the top as I was feeling quite tired. It was then just an easy downhill to the car.
This was a good walk with great scenery as long as you are not bothered with wet and boggy conditions.
Distance: 13.0 kms.
Time: 6'24"
Ascent: 535 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Monk Bay Circuit

Wednesday 11th March 2015

Monk Bay

Some friends accompanied me today down to the Tasman Peninsula to do a circuit walk including Monk Bay. The walk starts at the Coal Mines site in the Lime Bay Reserve on the most northern section of the Tasman Peninsula.
We set off from the Coal Mines parking area and walked down to the coast where the ruins are situated. As my friends had not been here before, I suggested that we complete the walk first and check out the ruins on our return.

Plunkett Point

Plunkett Point

Iron Stone Point

Ruins at Plunkett Point

We walked along the coast to Plunkett Point where there are some ruins and then followed the track to a fire trail where we again headed to the coast where there is a small isolated beach which is very nice. We stopped for a short break before walking back up the fire trail to the track once more. This was followed to Ironstone Point where it crossed Ironstone Point to end up at Monk Bay. The water was quite calm and very clear. A great sight.

Monk Bay

Ironstone Point

We walked along the cliff tops for a short while before descending to the beach at Monk Bay and then walked along the beach until we could not go any further. We then climbed back up to the track which followed the cliffs around to an obvious point. We walked out to the end of this point where there were many birds.

From Nameless Point

North from Nameless Point

Nameless Point

Whitehouse Point

From the point the track went around to Whitehouse Point, and as we rounded the point we ran into a strong wind coming from the north west. It was completely different to the eastern side where it had been quite calm.

Looking towards Green Head

Lime Bay

Looking back towards Whithouse Point

 The track carried on to Lime Bay where we picked up an overgrown track and began the return. We found a log to sit on for lunch but we immediately overrun with mosquitoes. Consequently we did not linger too long and set off once again. As I was walking along the track I had a close encounter with a tiger snake. Luckily it quickly slithered off into the scrub.
Now, I had intended to walk up to Mount Stewart through the scrub but the snake incident had put one of my companions off that idea. We just carried on along the track back to the Coal Mines area where we had a look at the ruins. My friends are interested to return to the area to have a good look. A couple of hours are required to properly inspect the site, alone.
This is a great walk with fantastic coastal scenery as well as the historical ruins.
Distance: 14.6 kms.
Time: 4'30"
Ascent: 320 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Coal Mines Ruins

Coal Mines Ruins

Coal Mines Cell

Mount Hobbs and Rayners Hill

Saturday 7th March 2015

Mount Hobbs Summit

Today was a walk up to Mount Hobbs and then a circuit walk to Rayners Hill, just to make it a bit longer and worthwhile. I decided to walk from Dares Road, which is off Woodsdale Road in the Levendale area. Another possible approach may be from Kellys Road, but I don't know if there is a gate on that road. Note: See comments at the end of the post concerning some of the roads in the area.
I found a spot to park off the road and set off up an old forestry track. It was quite easy walking and not very steep.

Forestry track heading uphill

After about 1.3 kms. I crossed over Kellys Road and a further 1.0 km. on came to the locked gate. This was easily walked around and I kept climbing. somewhat more steeply and eventually reached Mount Hobbs summit. There was a vast array of communication buildings and towers and it was like a little village. It took me exactly an hour to reach the summit.

Fire Tower

Multi Communication Mast

Everything is Solar Powered up here

Fire Tower and other Comms. Building

I climbed up the fire tower, but was thwarted by a locked trapdoor on the uppermost level, so had to be content taking photos from the level below. There were good views all around, although the day was a little grey and hazy.

From Summit - Maria Island in the distance

From Summit

From Summit

I found a good lookout rock to perch on for a snack. Luckily it was sheltered from the wind which was icy cold.

Lookout Rock

I spent some time up here having a good look around and then walked back down to the locked gate and then turned off onto an old track. This track eventually petered out and I had to scrub bash down to the road. It was not too bad and I did pick up some track here and there. After reaching the road I followed it for a couple of  kms. to the turnoff to Rayners Hill. Rayners Hill is really not much of a hill at all but the forest was quite nice. I found a good spot right on the summit, or what I perceived to be the summit anyhow, and had some lunch. It was rather pleasant here.

Rayners Hill Summit and Lunch Spot

I then followed the track until it ran out and then walked through the low scrub to pick up another track. I walked along this for a short way before taking to the scrub again to find the track that runs along the eastern boundary of the state forest. This went down to a dry creek and then up quite steeply. The track was very eroded in this section from bikes and quad bikes.

Eroded Track

I then came to some sandstone cliffs which were quite impressive. Similar to Bluff River Gorge but nowhere near as expansive, of course.

From the cliffs I followed the track back to the road and then along this to the track that runs off Kellys Road and back to the car.
This was an enjoyable walk and the sandstone cliffs were a real bonus.
Distance: 15.1 kms.
Time: 5'13"
Ascent: 774 metres
Click here to download GPX file.