Mawson Plateau

Saturday 28th May 2016

Mawson Plateau

I had been checking the weather forecast for Mount Field all week and it seemed to change daily, so when it didn't appear too bad later in the week I made the decision to go to Mawson Plateau even though I did not think it would be ideal. The main reason for this was give the group the experience of some wintry conditions and this we experienced.

Looking up to Mawson Plateau from Wombat Moor

We set out from the car park at Wombat Moor and the walk across the Moor was the usual wet affair with many puddles to avoid. We soon reached the turnoff to the plateau which was shrouded in cloud and mist at this stage.

Entering bush at southern end of Wombat Moor

Looking up to Mawson Plateau

Looking up to Mount Mawson

We began the ascent to the plateau through the boulder field. The rocks were very wet and slippery and extreme care had to be taken. The mist cleared on a few occasions to provide limited views out to the south east but it soon closed in again. As we reached the plateau proper the wind was blowing quite strongly and it was icy cold. Warm and wet weather gear was reached for and we carried on. My plan of climbing up to the summit was abandoned and also a visit to some lookouts was out of the question as no views would have been available. We simply walked directly across the plateau to the ski tow area.

Mount Mawson

Another peak on Mawson Plateau

Mawson Plateau

Visibility on the plateau was limited somewhat and as we made our way across one of the group had a tumble and injured her knee. After a brief stop she soldered on albeit with a slight limp. The plateau was rather wet due to recent rain and snow, but it was easy to avoid the puddles some of which were frozen. I don't mind walking in these conditions but I was hoping for some views for the group but alas nothing eventuated. See here for previous post and photos.
We walked down the ski tow and carried on down the road to Lake Dobson where we stopped for lunch. I had planned to walk over to Lake Seal Lookout but there was no real point to that.

Ski Tow

Ski Tow

Ski Tow

Lake Dobson

Mount Field

Mawson Plateau from the road.

After that we walked back up the road to the car. This was a really good walk despite the weather and lack of views and I think everyone enjoyed it.
Distance: 9.6 kms.
Time: 5"07"
Ascent: 350 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Devils Throne

Saturday 21st May 2016

Collins Bonnet

Thark Ridge

Collins Bonnet from Devils Throne

Mount Montagu from Devils Throne

Mountain River from Devils Throne

We had a nice walk to Devils Throne today in ideal weather. I won't write any detail about the walk as I have done it before in various posts in this blog but will relate an uncanny incident that happened to us during the walk.
We had completed the section over Thark Ridge and through the wet area to Devils Throne and were now walking across to Thark Ridge. My companion shouted out that she had lost her camera, so we immediately back tracked to where she had taken her last photo, a distance of 300 metres. No camera could be found, so after going back and forth a few times and spending 40 minutes searching, I suggested that we sit on the rocks where the incident first unfolded and have our lunch and then do a final search before leaving. As I was sitting there munching my sandwich, I happened to glance over and there was the camera hanging from its cord in a bush about 3 metres from where I was sitting. The cord must have been hanging out of the case and snagged on the bush which ripped it out. Of course there was much jocularity after that because if we had not found it it would have put a dampener on what was a good walk.
A really good walk with great scenery.

Coningham Reserve

Sunday 15th May 2016

Legacy Beach Coningham Reserve

The weather looked a little unsettled when I was driving towards the start of the walk at Coningham Beach, but not overly concerning. I had done this walk before, but decided to do it again, as I had a new walker with me today, and did not want anything too strenuous. I have not actually written it up before so here it is, although there is not much to say about it as it is quite simple.
We set off from the car park at Coningham Beach and walked northwards along the track to Stubbings Street and then Coningham  and Hopwood Roads and into the reserve. After completing a small loop it was then along the reserve boundary to pick up an overgrown track through the bush to Old Station Road. We walked along Old Station Road for about a kilometre before heading back into the reserve at the south western entrance.
The track followed along the ridge line of Sheppards Hill before descending to Snug Point. It was about here that it started raining quite heavily, and, as yours truly does not like wearing a raincoat, he got rather wet, didn't he. My companion was much wiser. We took the short detour down to the stairs that go down to the base of the cliffs and then down to the cave, but it was too wet and slippery to attempt to get down to the entrance of the cave. No photos here as it was too wet.
As we were ascending from the cave the sun came out in all its glory and remained out until we arrived back at the cars. The cliff top walk is quite scenic with views to Bruny Island and Tinderbox. We followed this back via Legacy Beach and Coningham Beach to the cars.

 This is a good short walk through some nice bush.
Distance: 11.1 kms.
Time: 3'20"
Ascent: 440 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Cape Raoul

Saturday 7th May 2016

Cape Raoul

I have been to Cape Raoul a few times before, but my friends had not, so we decided to make a day of it. See previous post here for walk description. A  few photos of today. We took just over 5 hours for the walk at an easy pace.

Ship Stern Bluff and Salters Point

Ship Stern Bluff and Salters Point

Cape Raoul

Cape Raoul

Cape Raoul

Cape Raoul

Cape Raoul

Cape Pillar

Cape Raoul

Cape Raoul

Cape Raoul

Cape Raoul- note seals on rocks

Cape Raoul

From Track

Lake Repulse

Monday 2nd May 2016

Lake Repulse

I chose to start the walk on Thunderbolt Road off Dawson Road in the Lake Repulse area.
It was a fine day after yesterday's rain and there were lots of puddles along the tracks and some of the creeks were flowing which is a nice change. I had debated whether I should drive up the track further but opted not too. Just as well as there were deep holes which I would not take my vehicle through.

Access track to the lake

I walked the first track down to the lake and that was about 1.5 kms. From there the track paralleled the lake for another 1.5 kms. where there were a couple of offshoots down to the lake shore. These were obvious camping spots because of the amount of rubbish lying around. It is so disappointing!!

Lake Repulse

Lake Repulse

Improvised Boat Ramp

After the last visit down to the lake shore the track started climbing. I knew that it eventually linked back to where the car was parked and I knew I would probably have to leave it at some stage to continue on along beside the lake. Sure enough, I left the track when I could see where I wanted to go and descended steeply to a small creek and inlet.

Small Creek and Inlet

Lake Repulse

Lake Repulse

After the creek it was all off track through mostly open forest beside the lake. I startled a couple of possums that were up a tree. I don't know what they were doing out in the daylight-maybe up to mischief, because they are the first ones I have seen when walking. I also saw another smaller one later on.

Lake Repulse

Open Forest

Open Forest

I continued along and came to a bend in the lake, where on the side I was on, the land sloped steeply down to the lake. I tried following an animal pad for a time beside the water's edge but it was quite messy so opted to climb up and over the hill. This proved to be a good idea. From the top there was a steep descent to another creek and from then on fairly flat to the Catagunya Power Station, which was my destination. The scrub varied but it was mostly open and easy walking.

From Hill

From Hill

From Hill

As I neared the power station I could hear a hum coming from it. There were quite a number of diesel generators visible and I don't know if the hum was coming from them or it was the natural hum of a hydro station. Just before reaching the power station I happened upon a camping spot with an innovative giant heater.

Camping Spot

Catagunya Power Staion

Catagunya Power Station

Catagunya Power Station with Diesel Generators

I went for a wander around but was not too sure whether I should have been there or not as there were a couple of  workmen on the bridge and they had the road closed off. I didn't hang around too long and started heading back the way I had come. When I came to the dicky section on the water's edge I went up high and continued staying high for quite a while before descending to the creek. Here are a couple of shots from up high and a couple more of the lake on the way back.

When I reached the section where I had followed the track uphill I stayed beside the lake and eventually found an overgrown track whick led me back to the road and finally the car.
This was an enjoyable walk with some nice scenery thrown in. I had not been in that area before.
Distance: 15.5 kms.
Time: 5'34"
Ascent: 560 metres
Click here to download GPX file.