Dora and Eldon Falls

Saturday 24th September 2016

Dora Falls

I had previously walked to Dora and Eldon Falls separately and decided to make a small circuit walk out of the combination. The walk start is on Jacobsons Road just west of Judbury.
I followed the old track that I previously used and then took a more direct line to the base of Dora Falls. It was still steep going and I was glad to reach the creek bed. The falls were flowing reasonably well but not quite as much as the last time I was here.

Steep slope to Dora Falls

Steep slope to Dora Falls

Dora Falls

Dora Falls

I located the small side creek that entered just below Dora Falls and started walking up it. I sometimes walked in the creek, beside the creek, or higher up the bank depending on the terrain and vegetation. It took me a hour to walk the 900 metres upstream to Eldon Falls. It was slow going with lots of trees to clamber over.

Heading upstream to Eldon Falls

Looking downstream from a cascade

Looking upstream

Eldon Falls

Eldon Falls

Looking downstream from base of Eldon Falls

Looking down the creek from base of Eldon Falls

After an early lunch I climbed steeply out of the creek and up and over the hill and down to Dora Creek. I crossed this and after a short steep climb reached the old vehicle track and walked back to the car.
A very satisfying short walk with enough steepness to get the heart beating. The majority of this walk is off track and passes through some steep country but the falls are worth the effort.
Distance: 3.8 kms.
Time: 3'06"
Ascent: 307 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Adamsons and Creekton Falls

Friday 16th September 2016

Adamsons Falls

Firstly I want to thank John who re taped the track between Adamsons Falls and Duckhole Lake a few days ago which made finding the track very easy.
This walk is probably best completed by parking a car at the start of the Adamsons Falls track and also one at the start of the Duckhole Lake track and walk in a clockwise direction. As I was by myself I parked at the Duckhole Lake track and walked along the road to the start of the Adamsons Falls track. This added about 45" and 3.5 kms. to the distance. No problem, really.
The Adamsons Falls track was wet in the usual places but not too bad really. It appears that Parks have recently been along and chainsawed some of the larger trees.

Adamsons Falls track

Large tree that has come down

Adamsons Falls track

 I reached Adamsons Falls 1'50" after setting out and found that the falls were flowing quite well.

Adamsons Falls

Adamsons Falls

Adamsons Falls

 I did not hang around too long here as I was getting wet from the spray. I crossed the creek at the base of the falls and found the track heading across to Creekton Falls. This is a track that more or less follows around the escarpment at the base of a cliff line. It is a rough track but is now well marked as previously mentioned. It did seem to go on and on but I eventually reached Creekton Rivulet and walked up to the falls.

A view from the track between the falls

Cliff line and track

Cliff line

Track between falls

Large fungus

Water weeping from rocks beside track

Creekton Falls were also flowing well and I stopped for a short time to get some photos.

Creekton Falls

Creekton Falls

Creekton Falls

 

Creekton Falls

I then headed back down the track beside the rivulet before finding a nice spot for lunch on a large rock near a small cascade.

Lunch Spot

The track continued on and then crossed the rivulet via a log bridge. Now, because my balance is not what it used to be, I opted to use the rocks in the bottom of the stream to cross over.

Log bridge crossing

The track carried on to Duckhole Lake and from there back to the car was mostly on boardwalk. I was glad the car was at the end of the track because I would not have felt like walking uphill if it was up at the Adamsons track start.

Duckhole Lake

Duckhole Lake

Creekton Rivulet

Creekton Rivulet

This was a really good walk. The track between the two falls is rough in places with trees down here and there but quite easily followed.
Distance: 13.2 kms.
Time: 5'34"
Ascent: 500 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Lakins Lair Circuit

Sunday 11th September 2016

Lakins Lair

I had difficulty finding a name for this walk but finally settled on the above as Lakins Lair was around about half way. The walk was in the lower eastern slopes of Mount Wellington.
I parked at the end of Pottery Road where there is a small car park just before the locked gate. There is room for about three cars. I walked around the gate and along the road for a short distance before heading up a track on the left. It was wide enough for an ATV to start with but soon became a walking track. It was easy walking uphill to the New Town Trail through open bush.

Track up to New Town Trail

Track up to New Town Trail

Once on the New Town Trail I walked up to the Main Fire Trail and then up hill to an old trail that went down to New Town Rivulet.

Hut on New Town Trail

Main Fire Trail

Track down to New Town Rivulet

I then followed the Lenah Valley Track to New Town Falls which was only just flowing and then diverted past some cliffs that were above me off the track and then walked up hill across the North South Track to the Lenah Valley Fire Trail.

New Town Falls

New Town Falls

New Town Falls

Cliff Line

Cliff Line

Cliff Line

From there it was a short walk up the fire trail to pick up an obscure track that headed up to Lakins Lair. I reached it in no time and settled down for a snack.

Cliff Line near Lakins Lair

Lakins Lair

After the break I climbed up above the Lair and along a faint pad to the Hunters Track and down to Junction Cabin. From the cabin I walked down the Old Farm Fire Trail, Breakneck Track, Wiggins Track, Breakneck again and to the Main Fire Trail.

Wiggins Slate Quarry

Around the Quarry

Breakneck Track after controlled burnoff

I then followed the New Town Trail past The Slides and Noahs Saddle and then onto some walking tracks in the hills above Pottery Road and finally down to Pottery Road and back up hill to the car.
A thoroughly enjoyable short walk close to Hobart.
Distance: 12.0 kms
Time: 3'58"
Ascent: 780 metres
Click here to download GPX file.