Middle Hill

Wednesday 12th July 2017

Middle Hill

Middle Hill is a small hill just off the White Timber Trail and is almost directly north of Huonville. Access to the start is up Judds Creek Road from Judbury and then east along the White Timber Trail. As it is only a short walk I added some extra distance by including a loop via Ice Brook and the Jefferys Track.
The drive out was quite icy and Judds Creek Road was full of the usual pot holes and ponds. I set off in an easterly direction for 2.3 kms. before leaving the trail and heading into the bush. I wanted to walk along the top of the cliff line that leads up to Middle Hill. The ground was frosty and quite slippery in places.

Almost Full Moon

Frosty White Timber Trail

Icy 4WD ruts on White Timber Trail

The bush was not too thick and once I neared the cliff edge it opened up more. There were some good views of valley fog. I walked along the top of the cliffs and then started the descent towards the valley below.

North from Middle Hill

North from Middle Hill

North from Middle Hill

Middle Hill Summit

White Timber Mountain

The descent was quite easy and not very scrubby at all and I eventually found an old track which I followed for a short distance before taking to the scrub and walking down a gully and creek to meet up with the track that runs beside the Lachlan River. The scrub was a bit thicker in places but once I reached the track it was easy going. There was some nice forest in this area with lots of ferns.

Some Scree on the descent

Descent

Descent

Headwaters Lachlan River

I followed the track along the Lachlan River and then another one along beside Ice Brook until it met the Jefferys Track where I had lunch. From here I walked back to the car via the Jefferys Track and the White Timber Trail. The Jefferys Track was in its usual condition of muddy, boggy, water filled ruts caused by 4WDs. There is talk of improving the condition of this track and it is certainly needed, although the four wheel drivers probably like it like this. There was still plenty of ice along the White Timber Trail at 2 oclock in the afternoon and it was still quite cold. The temperature was between 2 and 4 degrees for much of the walk.

Track along Lachlan River

Some nice forest

Jefferys Track

White Timber Trail

This was quite a good walk but the section along the Jefferys Track was the usual disappointment due to the muddy conditions.
Distance: 15.5 kms.
Time: 6'24"
Ascent: 570 metres
Click here to download GPX file.