Mount Crooke

Sunday 29th April 2018

Mount Crooke Summit

I had already drafted out a route to walk to Mount Crooke when I found out that Peter Franklin had done almost the same route earlier in the year. It was good knowing that the scrub was not too bad and I basically followed much the same route with a few exceptions.
I set off from the Lake Fenton car park and the first thing of note was the Fagus around the Lake Fenton outlet and along the track. For those who don't know, it is Australia's only cold climate winter-deciduous tree, and you will find it nowhere else in the world except Tasmania. Anyway it was putting on quite a display.

I walked along the track to Windy Moor where a new boardwalk has been constructed right across the moor thus avoiding all the dodging of waterholes and boggy sections. A couple of photos of Mount Field from the track.

As you can see it was another perfect day. I walked along the edge of the moor and then down to the headwaters of the Davis River. It was all quite easy walking up until here but I did encounter some scrub at this point which was not too bad.

Windy Moor

Windy Moor

Windy Moor

Windy Moor

Mount Mawson

Davis Lookout

Heading up to Mount Crooke

I crossed to the other side of the moor and walked along the edge and then up on to the plateau above. There was some more scrub here. Once on the plateau I just made a bee line to the summit of Mount Crooke. Mount Crooke is not an impressive summit but it does provide good views in all directions.
Various views from and of the summit.

I had a good break and then headed back along the ridge and down to the flood plain. There was scrub along the ridge but once on the plain it was easy walking. There were some Pandani on the ridge and also further down.

Pandani

Davis headwaters and plain

From the start of the headwaters it was a scrubby, rocky walk down to the Lake Webster Track. The rocks were very slippery so progress was quite slow. Once on the lake Webster Track it was an easy amble back to the car. More Fagus was evident on the Lake Webster Track and there was a constant stream of people heading out to look at it.

This was a good walk on a great day and the scenery everywhere was excellent. Much of the walk is off track.
Distance: 9.9 kms.
Time: 5'24" ( including 30" spent on Summit)
Ascent: 360 metres
Click here for GPX file.

Perrins Ridge

Thursday 19th April 2018

Perrins Ridge

The aim of today's walk was to start at the beginning of the Kaoota Tramway Track, walk to just after the bridge on Thompson Creek and then take to the scrub and ascend to Perrins Ridge. Once on the top of the ridge the walk was to continue to an expanse of rock further along the ridge, where I hoped for views. It all went to plan.
I set off along the tramway track, which is a walk worth doing in its own right, as it is a good track and very easy. After crossing the creek I ventured into the scrub. It soon became quite steep with lots of loose scree which I was not looking forward to for the descent.

Kaoota Tramway

Kaoota Tramway Cutting

It took about an hour to reach the top of the ridge. From there I just walked in a southerly direction along the ridge. There was some scrub, but not too bad, and lots of rock hopping. There were numerous large boulders.

Perrins Ridge

Snow capped mountains to the west

Perrins Ridge

Perrins Ridge

Perrins Ridge

I continued plodding along and progress was quite slow due to the terrain but I eventually came out on the expanse of rock where there were indeed good views.

Looking North

Expanse of Rock

Tinderbox and Bruny Island

Tinderbox

Herringback

Margate and Derwent River

I climbed up on the rock above and had a wander around before starting to head back. I more or less followed the same route back with a few minor variations. As expected the descent was a little tricky with the loose scree and I did manage to fall over a few times, but made it down in one piece. There was nice moss growing along the tramway track.

This was a reasonable short walk with some decent scenery.
Distance: 7.6 kms.
Time: 5'24"
Ascent: 400 metres
Click here for GPX file.

Mount Hobbs

Friday 13th April 2018

Maria Island from Mount Hobbs Summit

I had been to Mount Hobbs before but decided on doing it again with the aim of visiting the split rock to the west of the summit.
I started in Dares Road as I did last time but there are various other ways of walking to it. This is probably the most direct route. I walked up the forestry track to the H road and crossed that and kept going up the forestry road to the summit of Mount Hobbs which is all easy walking.
A few views from the summit.

After a look around I headed back down the road and then walked almost due west for 300 metres to the location of the split rock. It was a little scrubby but quite easy going. After locating it, I ditched my pack and walked along the split and returned back to my pack via the same route. It was a tight squeeze in a couple of places but quite achievable. I would suggest that if one is carrying a few extra kilos or is claustrophobic then maybe give it a miss. I would say that it is only about 30 metres long but quite interesting.
A few views of the split and walk through.

After retrieving my pack I walked along the cliff line for a short distance before returning and having lunch at the cairn. There were good views out to the west.

Unusual Cairn

After lunch I simply returned to the forestry road and walked back to the car.
A quite easy and interesting short walk with good views.
Distance: 9.0 kms.
Time: 3'33"
Ascent: 500 metres
Click here for GPX file.