Mount Field East Circuit

Tuesday 8th August 2017

Unnamed Peak 1228 metres

I had a plan A and a plan B for today, depending on the depth of the snow that I would encounter. Plan A was to start at Lake Fenton and walk to Mount Crooke and return via the track beside Lake Fenton. If the snow was too deep then I intended to just walk the Mount Field East Circuit. I had checked out the Mount Mawson Web Cams yesterday and there did appear to be a reasonable covering of snow so I thought I would just go out there and see what happens.
I set off from the car park at Lake Fenton in not so favourable weather...light cloud and wind. There was a new bridge across the outlet of Lake Fenton and some new boardwalk a little further on that crossed a wet area.

New Bridge

Soon I started to encounter some snow and ice on the track but it was generally quite hard.

The Track

The Track

After about 55" I reached the top of saddle where I wanted to turn off to Mount Crooke. The weather was not too bright but there were short breaks of sunshine, so I figured that I would persevere and see how far I could get. Not too far as it turned out because the snow was rather deep and every second step I seemed to disappear up to my knees or further. I decided to head over to the unnamed peak of 1228 metres and then walk back and complete the Mount Field East Circuit instead. Mount Crooke will have to be another day when there is less snow. I had fun in the snow anyway.

Unnamed Peak

Unnamed Peak

Summit Unnamed Peak

Unnamed Peak

Once back on track I headed for Windy Moor which lived up to its name as it was quite windy and in its usual wet condition.

Mount Field East

Track towards Windy Moor

Windy Moor

I opted not to climb Mount Field East as I had been up there a few times before and just kept heading around the circuit. There was some snow on the descent and care had to be taken although it was generally quite hard.

The Track

The Track

On the descent I spotted Lake Rayner which seemed to be frozen so of course I had to check it out. It was indeed frozen but only a thin layer on top.

Lake Rayner

Lake Rayner

I continued on to Lake Nicholls Hut for lunch.

Lake Nicholls

Lake Nicholls Hut

After lunch and further down the track I took the short detour to Beatties Tarn and then down to the Pack Track and finally uphill to the car.

Beatties Tarn

Beatties Tarn

This was a most enjoyable walk in cool conditions where the temperature hovered around 4 degrees C for most of the walk.
Distance: 10.4 kms.
Time 4'50"
Ascent: 500 metres

Mount Field East

Wednesday 18th February 2015

It is almost four years since I walked to Mount Field East, and that was in snowy and icy conditions, so the views were quite limited. See previous post here.
Today the forecast was for fine weather so we headed up to Mount Field and parked at Lake Fenton and walked the same route that I did previously. The views were really very good once the cloud lifted. It took 5'30" to do the circuit with a group.
An excellent walk in good weather.

Lake Fenton from Seagars Lookout

Seagars Lookout

Mount Mawson

Mount Field East

Rodway Range

Mount Field East summit

Rodway Range

Summit Shelter

Looking  East

Looking North East

Lake Nicholls

Mount Field East

Tuesday 24th May 2011

Mount Field East Summit

There are two starting points for the Mount Field East walk, both on Lake Dobson Road. Head towards Mount Field National Park on Lake Dobson Road and the lower car park is sign posted on the right and the upper park is about 2 kms. further up the road. This enables one to walk either clockwise or anticlockwise, or out and back from either park.
I chose to start from the upper park in very cloudy and misty conditions and visibility was not great.

Lake Fenton

I walked along the track, crossed Lake Dobson Road, went past the lake and on to the track proper. The track climb steadily and my first objective was to walk up to Seagers Lookout. Why, I don't know, because I knew I would not be able to see anything, but up I went anyway. Just as I had expected, a total whiteout.

View at Seagars Lookout

As I was descending from the lookout a light snowfall began and it was quite pretty.

Snow fall on Seagars Lookout track

I reached the main track and kept going up slightly to Windy Moor which was quite wet in places but easily negotiated. By this time visibility had improved somewhat and I could see Mount Field East in the distance.

Mount Field East from Windy Moor

I walked across the moor and found the ascent track which proved to be mostly over boulders. It had an ice covering and was quite slippery so I had to take my time. Even so it only took 20" to reach the top. It had cleared a little more to provide some views which were appreciated.

From Mount Field East Summit

I climbed back down and walked down past Lake Rayner and Lake Nicholls where I stopped at the hut for a bite to eat.

Lake Nicholls

I then kept going down and found the Old Pack track on the right which gradually climbed back to the car sometimes on track and sometimes for short distances on the road.
A very enjoyable walk in nice alpine country, and even though the views were restricted it was still a great walk.
Distance: 11.0 kms.
Time: 4'45"
Ascent: 616 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Seagars Lookout track

Track to Windy Moor

Mount Field East

Mount Field East

Lake Rayner

Lake Nicholls hut