Prominent Rock - Mount Connection

Monday 16th October 2017

Prominent Rock down below

There are many prominent rocks named as such on the map but this one is west of Mount Connection in the Wellington Range. I did not know if I could actually walk to it or not and I was going to make that decision when I neared it. As it turned out, I wisely decided, I think, to stop at the end of the ridge, as it was a steep descent to the rock.
Anyway, I set out from Big Bend along the fire trail and had a good view of fog in the valleys.

From the fire trail I walked along the Collins Bonnet track to Mount Connection. It was a little wet in places but mostly the track was dry. I stopped at the lookout on Mount Connection, just before the track descends off the mountain, to take a few photos.

Mount Connection

Mount Connection and Tom Thumb from the moor

Looking west

Collins Cap

Collins Bonnet

Snow capped mountains out west

My aim was to walk out on the rocky ridge that heads towards Prominent Rock. When I reached the appropriate point I started out along the ridge. It was rocky and scrubby but not particularly bad and I soon reached the end of the ridge (or as far as I was going, anyway) to see Prominent Rock about 100 metres away in distance and about 80 metres down in elevation. I think it would be achievable but as I was on my own I opted to give it a miss.

The ridge in the centre that heads towards Prominent Rock-Scree field in background is on Collins Bonnet

Collins Bonnet

Mountain River

Devils Throne

Mount Montagu

Collins Bonnet

Prominent Rock

After getting as close to the edge as I dared I walked back to the main track and then uphill to Mount Connection again and then along to The Lectern. After a short break it was then on to Pulpit Rock, and as I was on top of the rock I could hear voices.  Soon a couple of guys appeared and we had a bit of a chat. I was not really expecting to see anyone off track where I met them.

The Lectern

Pulpit Rock

On top of Pulpit Rock

Derwent River

Once back on the main track I just walked back to the car. I did see one tiger snake out sunning itself on the track but it slithered out of the way.
This was a good walk with fantastic views on a warm spring day.
Distance: 12.1 kms.
Time: 5'42"
Ascent: 550 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Mount Cygnet

Monday 9th October 2017

Mount Cygnet from Cygnet

A friend staying at Cygnet had noticed a couple of rocky outcrops near the summit of Mount Cygnet so we decided to investigate. I had previously walked up to Mount Cygnet in 2013 and had no views whatsoever, so with the expectation of some good vistas over the Huon River and out to the west, we agreed to give it a go. We opted to start at the end of Blue Gum Road off Woodbridge Hill Road, near Cygnet.

The track climbed steadily uphill and was in good condition. It appeared to be an old forestry road and was well constructed with a solid base. Once we reached some flatter land up higher the track became a little wet but was really easy walking. Upon entering the forestry proper, the track deteriorated somewhat, but was still quite easy to negotiate. That was until it finished. From that point there seemed to be a walking track but we soon found out that it was only an animal pad but kept on going, doggedly.

The "track" - the good bit

 We were attempting to follow an old track that was shown on the map and we both had convinced ourselves that we could see it on Google Earth. It was there in places but it mainly consists of cutting grass now. Eventually when the track was supposed to head north it disappeared or we lost it, so we just started heading up through the scrub towards the track along the ridge. There was some discussion about turning back and finding a different way, but we carried on. It was tough going with much cutting grass and lots of downed trees, but as we neared the top it opened up a little, and we reached the road with much delight. From here there was a short walk uphill to one of the rocky outcrops. There had been a burn up here not too long ago and the scrub was open. We were presented with great views from the rocky outcrop but there was a strong, cold wind blowing.

We stopped here for lunch before heading up the track to the summit and then back to the car via another track.
When we had both arrived back home the leech count was eleven so it was an eventful walk.
This was a difficult walk because of the scrub bash but the scenery at the top was worth the effort. I would not recommend going up the way that we went.
Distance:9.2 kms.
Time: 4'31"
Ascent: 560 metres
Click here to download GPX file.
Here is a link to my friend's Blog Post on the walk to give a different perspective.

Hartz Peak

Monday 2nd October 2017

Hartz Peak

A friend expressed interest in walking in some snow so I thought we would walk to Hartz Peak and then across to Mount Snowy but only if the weather was good. When we arrived at the car park the weather was not the best...blowing a gale and low cloud over the range.
We set off with the hope that it would clear as the morning wore on.

As we gained some distance, we started to come across some snow beside the track and once we neared Hartz Pass the cloud started to lift from the peaks and we were presented with glorious views.

Bruny Island

Snow climb to Hartz Pass

Hartz Range

If there is snow around there is always a reasonably deep patch on the climb to Hartz Pass and this was indeed the case today. We plodded our way up through it to be greeted by a gale blowing at the top of the pass.

Hartz Pass

Hartz Pass

Hartz Pass

Hartz Pass

 We carried on along the track towards Hartz Peak, where it was sometimes quite difficult to maintain one's balance, as the wind buffeted us.
The views to the east were still good but most of the western peaks were shrouded in cloud.

Hartz Peak

Mount Snowy and Hartz Peak

Hartz Lake

To the west

We headed off up to the summit while still trying to maintain our feet and sunk into the shelter to get out of the gale. There were a few isolated patches of snow around the summit area.

Heading to summit

Scree field

Just below summit

Mount Snowy

Around summit

We decided against going over to Mount Snowy, mainly because the route is on the windward side of the ridge, and it would have been most unpleasant walking. We retraced our steps back to the car.
A great walk as always, despite the weather, and I think my companion was quite pleased with his walk in the snow.
For route details see previous posts.