snake plains track

[lwizle]

we are fairly new to the mountain tracks. we tried once unsuccessfully to go up the snake plains track from the pipeline track from neika but we didn't feel we were on the right track!!. now we want to go from the springs along milles track and down snake plains. has anyone done this and any advice.

[dee_legg]

Haven't been along the Snake Plains track for many years but have been along the Milles track. The turn off is well marked with a big log with 'snake plains' cut and painted into it after about 2.5k.. So you shouldn't miss it from that end however the track is rougher than what you would have experienced on the Milles track.. I believe it is still well marked in most parts with only a small section at the Milles track end with cairns and the odd old blaze. If you're keen on doing lots of mountain walks i recommend you pick up the Wellington Park map from Service Tas or the Map Shop in Hobart.. it's great.

[stepbystep]

Hi lwizie,
I did the Snake Plains Track from Nieka up to the Milles track maybe 2 months ago.
The track is pretty rough and overgrown within 10 mins of the Milles Track junction, coming down.
The track across Snake Plains has suffered from erosion and was very muddy and overgrown. If the scrub is wet you will get saturated.
It should be quite a bit drier now than when I was there, but I would wear long(waterproof) overpants or gaiters and a waterproof jacket as the scrub is high in places.
As you drop off Snake Plains down to Nieka the track becomes quite rocky and steep.
The track is easy to follow the whole way but I did see some braiding on the lower snake plains.

The views across to Cathedral Rock are great and down to the Huon region and the peaks in the South is awesome.
A bit of a slog going up, should be easy if a bit wet and scratchy coming down
Enjoy