Wilmot River Walks closed by flood damage

[billshep]

The Wilmot River Walks have been devastated by the flood of 14 January, all vegetation up to 4 metres above normal river levels has been scoured away or flattened. I have started re routing the low level track above this flood line as it is not worth clearing the debris. It will take months.The first objective is to repair the Alma to East Ellis circuit. My blog will advise when tracks are fixed. There is a pic of the flood in the gallery. Best to avoid the area until tracks reopen- unless you want to lend a hand!
The blog address is below
http://dooleytrack.bigblog.com.au/index.do

[ILUVSWTAS]

Yep, there's even a tourist stuck on the other side according to the local papers.
shame too cause I've been thinking about MCH recently.

[billshep]

No -the tourist was stuck in Meander Falls area by collapsed bridge!

[Taurë-rana]

Think you might be a bit navigationally challenged Mark, Wilmot River is nowhere near where the tourist is stuck, not quite sure where MCH is - Mother Cummings Peak or MCP I know. And that track is still accessible, although a Mountain Bike to travel the bit of road closed by a hole is useful.
Thanks for the update on the Wilmot River tracks Bill, I've been on some and have been grateful for the work done to put them in.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Sorry. Still obviously had *&%$#! in my eyes at 5am.

[walkinTas]

Tourist stranded and Meander Falls Rd closed at Mother Cummings Creek.

There are several other forestry road closures too.

[billshep]

Update 22 January. The East bank track from Gentle Annie Road to East Ellis picnic area is now clear although rough in places. There are a couple of new sections of track to avoid flood prone areas. The East Ellis shelter has gone, swept away clean a a whistle. A few components are scattered nearby.

Many thanks to Max Richardson for all his help with the chainsaw, and Fred Groenier and the Monday girls for help with benching.The job could not have been done without Max.

I have started work on the west bank track, and have reached almost to the Payne Shelter. Many sections are ok, and all the shelters so far have survived. There is a small section of new track beyond Shoestring Crossing. The Crossing is now a wade, most of the stepping stones have gone, and the east bank access is very steep. The river has changed its contours and will be deeper here. Still an easy wade.One good thing about the Flood was that it scoured away all the slime from the rocks and the Wilmot is like a clean NZ river just now.Also made some nice beachs.

I should have the track through to East Ellis crossing finished by the end of January at latest.
The link track from Payne Shelter to East Wilmot track is cleared.

I have not been to Spellmans as yet, I fear the worst there. Hope the new ramps survived.
Bill Shepherd