Sloping Main

Friday 25th October 2013

Sloping Main Beach

After a couple of months of walking up mountains I decided that it was time that I did a coastal walk again. I do love the beaches in Tasmania and thoroughly enjoy getting back to them when I can. I chose Sloping Main as I had not been to that particular beach before.
It was very windy at home and I was expecting plenty of wind where I was going but it was not as bad as I thought it would be. The drive down took exactly 2 hours, and I was kitted up and ready to start just after 0800. The walk start was at Gwandalan Park in Sloping Main Drive and the first 3.3 kms. was entirely along Sloping Main Beach, which was pleasant to walk on, as the sand was quite hard. I came across a couple of people walking dogs and two guys fishing off the beach. They had driven their 4WD down onto the beach via a boat ramp which is about halfway along the beach. I suspect that this could be an alternative starting point.

Mount Wellington from Sloping Main Beach

There were good views of Mount Wellington and Sloping Island, and, as you can see from the photos, the wind was not too bad, with only a gentle swell rolling in. After about 40 minutes I reached the northern end of the beach and followed a track heading up the bank of a creek to eventually meet up with a vehicle track. I was now in Lime Bay Nature Reserve. I walked this track for 3.6 kms. to arrive at Lime Bay. It was a most pleasant part of the walk, though nice forest and so very quite except for the birds. Along the way I passed Sloping Lagoon where it is possible to turn west and head along a track on the southern side of the lagoon to come out on Lagoon Beach, thus shortening the distance a little. See info at Everytrail on the Green Head walk.

Track through Lime Bay Nature Reserve

At Lime bay I had a sit down and a snack and watched the sea birds feeding on the shoreline. It was very peaceful and totally sheltered from any wind.
I then found a track leading off the beach to meet the Lagoon Beach walking track which I followed. After clambering over the dunes at the end of the track I came to the beach about halfway along the length of the beach. Here it was blowing rather fiercely and quite cold. The beach was followed in a south easterly direction towards Lobster Point, and, at a convenient point before the beach ended, I exited the beach by climbing the dunes and walked through a little scrub to meet up with a vehicle track. It was then just a matter of walking this track to Lobster Point where I took shelter from the wind and had an early lunch.

Lagoon Beach and Lobster Point

I tried to find a track that was shown on the map that supposedly ran along the coast back to Sloping Main Beach, but could find no evidence of its existence. As I did not feel like scrub bashing, I backtracked slightly and continued on the vehicle track. I wanted to check out Whalebone Beach, so after a time I headed into the scrub and walked back to the coast and met up with a vague walking track which went past Whalebone Beach(a very nice little beach) and eventually back to the vehicular track. I then walked along this and down to Sloping Main Beach and along the beach, finally arriving at the car at about 1300.
A most enjoyable walk.
Distance: 18.7 kms.
Time: 5 hours
Ascent: 270 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Sloping Lagoon

Lime Bay

Sloping Island

Lagoon Beach

Lobster Point

Whalebone Beach

Looking towards Sloping Main

Burdens Marshes and Sloping Main

Mount Patrick

Thursday 18th October 2013

Mount Patrick from ascent track

The weather had been rather bleak all week with showers most of the time, so I was very keen to get out for a walk. Today I was going rain, hail or shine.
There are many ways to approach Mount Patrick - from Lachlan via Jefferys Track, from Myrtle Forest via East West Trail, from near White Timber Mountain access track via White Timber Trail, even from Big Bend or the way I chose which was from Crabtree. Of course if one did not want to walk too far, one could drive up the Jefferys Track(in a good 4WD), and along the East West Trail to the summit access track. I think a permit would be required for the east West Trail.
Why drive when it is so much fun to huff and puff when slogging up the steep Jefferys Track!!
I arrived at the start at about 0740 in drizzling rain and set off straightaway. The climb up the Jefferys Track had not become any easier since I last walked it a couple of months ago when I walked to White Timber Mountain.

Upper Jefferys Track

After about an hour of uphill the track came to an intersection, where left goes to White Timber Mountain and right to the East West Trail. I went right and soon the track became quite wet, but nowhere near as bad as the section to White Timber Mountain. The wet section did not last too long and by the time I reached the east West Trail it was quite good. It was about here that the misty rain stopped, which was an added bonus. At the intersection with the East West Trail is where the track comes from Lachlan, but I believe it is not in real good condition, so, if coming from that direction, it might be necessary to park a few kilometres back down the road and walk. From here there were more uphill sections although it was quite pleasant walking through reasonable forest for about 3 kms. to the cairned turnoff to Mount Patrick.

East West Fire Trail

From here the access track was very overgrown for the first section and was quite difficult to locate it at times, even though it was taped. My pants were instantly wet from the foliage as I battled my way through and after a time came to a somewhat open area called Georges Flagland which was rather pleasant. All along the track it was wet but not muddy. The water was not deep but fairly soon my feet were sloshing around inside saturated boots. I continued on and eventually the track headed uphill to some large rocks which had to be clambered over to arrive at a false summit where there were ruins of a shelter. It was blowing a gale and freezing cold and I quickly walked the few metres to the proper summit, had a quick look around and retreated back to the shelter for a rushed lunch.

Summit Cairn!!

There is a rather unimpressive cairn at the summit, but that is fitting as the summit is not too impressive in itself. The views were not spectacular and probably the most outstanding feature was Mount Charles, which I hope to visit in the future.
While I was eating lunch my fingers were going numb so I did not hang around for too long before commencing the descent. It took about an hour to get back to the East West Fire Trail and I suppose it was about the same up to the summit.
I then began the downhill run to the car. When I say "run" I really mean fast walk as my running days are over. After a bit less than 2 hours I finally reached the car. As I was just crossing the bridge over the Crabtree Rivulet a guy(one of the locals I assume) turned into the road, and stopped and had all these questions for me about what I had been doing and where I had come from. He must have though I was the local cat burglar!! When I told him, I think he thought I was an idiot and his final quote was " Gee mate you will deserve a beer when you get home."
Note: If walking to Mount Patrick some navigational experience is necessary as the summit track is easy to lose and might be hard to find again.
Distance: 18.1 kms.
Time: 6'10"
Ascent: 960 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

From Summit

Ruins near summit

Mount Charles

White Timber Mountain from E/W Trail

Crabtree Rivulet

Nevada Peak

Tuesday 8th October 2013

Pineapple Grass slopes on the way to the summit

After not walking to Nevada Peak last week, I was determined to get up there today, even though I could not see the peak because of the early morning fog. If there is a morning fog then the day is usually quite okay, or so the saying goes. Well, it did not go to plan but overall it turned out to be a reasonable day.
I arrived at the start point at about 0800 after carefully avoiding a large rock in the middle of the road. Last time I was up here I actually drove over it and just scraped the sump guard, thinking I had more clearance than I did. I have a 4WD but it is only a dual cab and does not have the clearance of normal 4WDs.
Note: The normal access via Russell Road is blocked at the Russell River Bridge about 6.0 kms. before the start of the walk. This necessitates driving in on McDougalls Road, past the Lake Skinner turnoff and keep going onto Russell Road. Follow this around and turn left after about 7.5 kms. past the Lake Skinner turnoff and you are now on the other side of the damaged bridge.
I set off and walked along an old logging road and found the the track in the scrub. It took a bit of sloshing through some water and mud to get there so it was not looking too good. I was expecting it to be wet after the recent rain and it sure was. This made the going somewhat slower than I would have liked, and, as well, there were quite a few logs and trees to clamber over.

On slopes on way to summit

The track wound its way through rather thick forest and climbed steadily all the while and after a couple of hours the terrain opened up somewhat into pineapple grass slopes and pandani. The views started here but unfortunately so did the cloud and mist. I could actually see the car parked way in the distance. Patches of snow also became visible at this point.
The track climbed steadily up to a slight peak before heading down to the Snowdrift Tarns. Really there was no track here at all and it was just a matter of choosing the best route that was heading in the right direction. It was at this stage that the wind started to blow and the mist came in, reducing visibility. It was freezing so I had to quickly don my coat and beanie because I am sure my ears were getting frost bitten. I continued on passing one of the Snowdrift Tarns, part of which was frozen.

Frozen Tarn

All I had to do then was climb quite steeply up to the summit which I could just make out in the mist. In doing this I had to walk through a couple of patches of knee deep snow but it was not too bad. I eventually reached the peak but had no views to speak of as the mist rolled in and the wind blew. I found some shelter and had a quick bite to eat and the headed down. As I reached the lower slopes the sun decided to come out, the mist lifted and the scenery started to show itself. I had said to myself up the top that I would bet that was going to happen!!
The plan now was to head back to the car via Wooleys Tarn so I started walking north east past the northernmost Snowdrift Tarn and found some cairns(but not many) that headed in the right direction. The path went past Wetpants Peak and then descended steeply to eventually arrive at Wooleys Tarn, which is quite a large lake. From here the track went ever so slightly uphill and then down to finally arrive at the car at 1540. I must admit I was a bit weary at this stage and glad to finally get sight of the car. Overall a good walk despite the lack of views from the summit.
Distance: 12.6 kms.
Time: 7'38"
Ascent: 864 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Looking towards the Nevada Peak range

Snowdrift Tarns

Snowdrift Tarn

Northern Snowdrift Tarn and Wetpants Peak

Wetpants Peak

Looking west near Snowdrift Tarns

Wooleys Tarn

Prosser Sugarloaf

Sunday 29th September 2013

Today I was thinking of going to Nevada Peak but when I looked out the window this morning the peak was shrouded in cloud and even the line of hills before it were not visible so I abandoned that plan and chose to do Prosser Sugarloaf instead. I don't mind walking in cloud at all but I do like to have some sort of view when I finally get there.
Additional information on Prosser Sugarloaf from Wielangta Road is at Rockmonkeyadventures or Prosser Sugarloaf via Twamley at Bushwalks.

Sandspit River

I arrived at the small parking area on Wielangta Road after a one and a half hour drive and set off walking at 0840. I could hear a chainsaw not far away and after I crossed the bridge over the Sandspit River I could see a guy cutting up a tree that he had felled just inside the forestry gate. After we exchanged a few pleasantries I continued on my way. Just as a bit of information it appears that this gate is never locked and only held shut by a small twig inserted where the lock should be. Consequently, I could have driven to within about 1 km. of Prosser Sugarloaf and had a very short walk but that would be hardly worth it.
Anyway I continued on up the road which rises steadily for 500 metres over 6 kms. This is a well maintained forestry road and is easy walking.

Good forestry road

Minor forestry road

After about 5 kms. of walking a minor track branched off to the left and this was quite wet and muddy in places but quite okay for walking.It was obvious that this is a very popular area for cutting firewood as there was evidence everywhere of felled trees and logs cut or marked for cutting. The forest in this area was rather pleasant to walk through although a fire had passed through here not so long ago. There were copious amounts of all sorts of wild flowers about and there were many birds singing in the trees.
At about 6.5 kms. of walking the track descended fairly steeply and crossed Wielangta Creek, which was only a trickle, really. It was amazing the change in the vegetation in dropping down to the creek as it went from dry eucalypt forest to more of a rain forest and was quite wet underfoot in places.
The track then climbed after the creek and eventually I came to a T junction. I opted for the right track and followed this around for 0.5 kms. or so before heading off track up a ridge that appeared to be heading in the right direction to the summit. It was then just a matter of rock hopping and climbing over downed trees to head in a south easterly direction to the summit. Care had to be taken on some of the rocks as even large ones tended to move underfoot.
I reached the summit at about 1130 and had a bite to eat. The views from here were very limited because of the trees but it was possible to see a little to the north and south. There was a trig marker and sort of a cairn here. I didn't spend too much time at the summit and then headed down in a close to northerly direction to meet up with a track. Just before reaching the track the forest became rather thick and required a bit of effort to get through. This track was followed back to the previously mentioned T junction, thus completing a small circuit.
All I did then was retrace my steps back to the car. I did take a small detour to check to see if there was another track that would cut across where the main road had a large sweeping bend, but could not find anything useful. I arrived back at the car at 1355, the timber cutter had gone and the forest was peaceful once more.
Distance: 16.7 kms.
Time: 5'13"
Ascent: 860 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Wielangta Creek

Summit

North from summit

Maria Island from main forestry road

Mount Montagu

Saturday 21st September 2013

Mount Montagu from Thark Ridge

It has been a couple of weeks since I have been able to get out for a walk and that has been because my partner had a triple fusion in her foot and I have been her nurse for that time. That has been quite okay, but I have been keen to get the body moving once again, and, as she is now a little more independent, I thought today would be the day.
There are a few different ways of walking to Mount Montagu and this is just one of them, starting at Big Bend and walking Thark Ridge to finally reach the summit.


The weather forecast was promising for today, so I drove to Mount Wellington and parked in the large car park just up from Big Bend and started walking at 0745. I had walked part of the Thark Ridge track last year when I did the Devil's Throne circuit so it was quite familiar. After a distance of about 1 km. the track has been rerouted uphill slightly for a few hundred metres to obviously avoid some of the wet area. The track was wet here and there but I had expected that as there had been some recent rain. The track basically follows the ridge on the southern side before climbing up to the top of the ridge where it becomes relatively flat along the ridge line.

Collins Bonnet from Thark Ridge

Along the ridge there are good views from different locations and there is a good lookout, marked with a large cairn, slightly off the track and just before the descent begins. From a little further on from here, Mount Montagu finally came into view. It looked a long way away. I continued on going down over some large boulders before coming out on the open area between the ridge and Mount Montagu. This was extremely wet with the water forming a small river running down the track but it was possible to avoid the water, mostly, although it made the going somewhat slow.


Eventually the track met up with an old fire trail/road which was quite overgrown but very easy to follow to a couple of cairns that mark the start of the track to the summit of Mount Montagu.

Cathedral Rock and Montagu Thumbs from Thark Ridge

The ascent was quite easy, although the track was poorly marked, it was not a problem following it to eventually come out in an open area at the summit with stunning 360 degree views. As it was a clear day the visibility was really good so I took a few photos, had a bite to eat and then headed down.
I wanted to check out Norris Hut which I had heard about, so once down to the fire trail again I went south west for 1.3 kms. to find the hut. The going was quite easy but the track is becoming overgrown and the final descent to the hut was very wet. Apparently, the hut was built by a Mountain River family and is set against a large piece of rock.

Norris Hut

Anyway, I didn't waste too much time here and began to retrace my steps back to the car. I did take note of the large cairn that marks the start of the track down to Wellington Falls for future reference. I found the climb back up to the top of Thark Ridge quite tiring and was glad when I finally reached it. The walk along the ridge was not much better, even though it was relatively flat, the constant rock hopping was becoming laborious. It was pleasing when the tower on Mount Wellington finally came into view, but it seemed to take forever to get back to the car which I eventually reached at 1530.
Overall I would rate this as a good walk, although I found it tiring. Maybe my age is starting to catch up with me, but I can't see myself stopping anytime soon.
Distance: 17.0 kms.
Time: 7'42"
Ascent: 800 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Mount Montagu Trig marker

Mountain River from Mount Montagu

Collins Bonnet and Trestle Mountain from Mount Montagu

From Mount Montagu

Mount Wellington and Thark Ridge from Mount Montagu

Cathedral Rock and Montagu Thumbs from Mount Montagu