Dixons Hut to Great Pine Tier via Jaffa Vale

[ILUVSWTAS]

Hi all.
Just wondering if anyone has been to the Great Pine Tier (or nearby) from Dixons Kingdom, and what the walking is like through the Jaffa Vale. I presume it would be mostly open, but any info would be greatly appretiated.

Also are the Jaffa's growing on trees? Or are they buried like Truffles??

[Lizzy]

I'm guessing they are buried or that would be a hell of a p[opular bushwalking destination..... could even chearge more than the OLT fee!

[ILUVSWTAS]

Hahaha thanks Lizzy, good to see my strange sense of humour isnt lost on everyone......

[eggs]

I know a few folk have posted about coming into the Walls via the eastern end of Lake Ball. Try searching on Bernes or Lake Sally for the low level access or Lake Fanny for the upper level.
Jaffa Vale itself [Dixons to Lake Ball] is a breeze.
But the name Jaffa Vale is based on biblical place names [in this case Jaffa is a city in Israel] - as is most of the Walls. [And yes I know you are kidding]

I am still checking the dictionary on "appretiated"

[Son of a Beach]

The entirety of Jaffa Vale is very open and easy strolling as already mentioned. The worst you'll come across there is bands of scoparia here and there, but they don't even block the way, being easy to walk around in that area.

Climbing up onto the tier directly across the vale from Dixon's Kingdom hut is quite easy also, and once up on top, it is reasonably easy walking around (not that I went far, but it looked easy from that vantage point). EDIT: You can also use the Mt Jerusalem track to get up on top of the tier, which is even easier, but means going a few hundred metres further north of Dixon's Kingdom.

I haven't been east from Lake Ball along the base of the tier, but if it's anything like the north shore of Lake Ball, the forest would be fairly easy going and not terribly dense.

(I've walked around other similar areas nearby and it's always been fairly easy. Lots of small lakes, small hills, low scrub, usually not dense or difficult, occasional pencil pine forest, and occasional eucalypt forrest, both of which make for fairly easy walking in most cases. Sometimes just areas of bare rock.)

No jaffas, but if you go in the right season (quite soon, I think) there is some particularly good, sweet bush tucker in Jaffa Vale.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I am still checking the dictionary on "appretiated"

Whoops, bit "t " happy. Sorry..... -t +c

[ILUVSWTAS]

The entirety of Jaffa Vale is very open and easy strolling as already mentioned. The worst you'll come across there is bands of scoparia here and there, but they don't even block the way, being easy to walk around in that area.

Climbing up onto the tier directly across the vale from Dixon's Kingdom hut is quite easy also, and once up on top, it is reasonably easy walking around (not that I went far, but it looked easy from that vantage point). EDIT: You can also use the Mt Jerusalem track to get up on top of the tier, which is even easier, but means going a few hundred metres further north of Dixon's Kingdom.

I haven't been east from Lake Ball along the base of the tier, but if it's anything like the north shore of Lake Ball, the forest would be fairly easy going and not terribly dense.

(I've walked around other similar areas nearby and it's always been fairly easy. Lots of small lakes, small hills, low scrub, usually not dense or difficult, occasional pencil pine forest, and occasional eucalypt forrest, both of which make for fairly easy walking in most cases. Sometimes just areas of bare rock.)

No jaffas, but if you go in the right season (quite soon, I think) there is some particularly good, sweet bush tucker in Jaffa Vale.

Thanks very much. Sounds lovely.

[flyfisher]

Beautiful country, all down along the Pine river, and easy open walking. Easy to pick up a track at lake Antimony and walk back to Ada.

[Graham51]

It's open walking along the top of the Pine tier from Dixons Kingdom through to Lake Fanny. Use your compass to pick up the long narrow tarn that runs almost the full length of this area then follow pads and the creek down to Lake Fanny. I've walked it more than half a dozen times, mostly in to the Walls. If you wanted to you could do a circuit along the Pine River and basck over the Pine Tier.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I think I see the ones you mean. Im pretty keen to check out lake Ball, was in there 15 years ago and cannot remember much. But im now thinking I might take Nicks advice and go from Mt Jerusalem. Any idea how long it would take from Mt Jerusalem to the Tier?? Only looks like a few k's.

[Son of a Beach]

I can only guess...

It takes only about 15 minutes or so from Dixons Kingdom to Lake Ball, but that's exceptionally easy and open walking, largely on just grass and quite an even easy descent all the way. The Mt Jerusalem track is a little further north, and the territory up on top would be somewhat rougher, but it didn't look like it would be terribly difficult walking. I would guess something like 30-60 minutes from the Mt Jerusalem track to the top of that bluffy bit immediately east of Lake Ball.

Is "bluffy" a word?

Does Mt Jerusalem have peak-bagging points?

[Bap]

I've walked in from Lake Ada and camped at Lake Fanny and then walked up Pine Tier and along the long tarn north of pine Tier. It is open country and is very easy to walk through, The Pencil Pines are very nice to walk through.

From memory we found an old fence somewhere south of Lake Fanny.

[ithomas]

Hello there

Flyfisher is correct. The walk from Lake Ada, to the Walls and return via Lakes Ball, Sally, Sonya, Solvieg and Antinomy is a little beauty. The most arduous part is moving up past Lake Fanny which can be done either on a partially marked track on its right bank or up the long ridge well above it's left bank. Below Lake Fanny there is an old vehicle track and fence remains here and there. As everyone says, the walk from Dixons down to Lake Ball is very easy - just wander down, keeping a little to your left as you approach Ball. From the lowermost part of Lake Ball, cross over the river - very easy - and pick your way downstream mostly on the right bank, passing the above mentioned lakes in turn. It's actually very pretty and quite open. There are some largish patches of bolster heath with cushion plants which needs careful crossing. Eventually it is easier to cross over to the left bank at a large obvious open grassy patch. After a while you can pick out a shallow valley which angles down to Lake Antinomy (or thereabouts) and which provides gentle walking back to Lake Theresa and then Ada where your car is parked. All up it is a very pleasant 3-4 days depending on how long you wish to doddle around the Walls.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Does Mt Jerusalem have peak-bagging points?

Yes 2. I have done that one, but it was 15 years ago, so im keen to repeat!!

[Son of a Beach]

It's one of the easiest mountains around (only Little Throne is easier, I reckon), but the views are fantastic (as with Little Throne). Makes it great "bang for buck" value.

[whynotwalk]

G'day Mark - it looks like you've had some good answers here. I walked in the area last January and have written some reflective stuff on my blog here http://auntyscuttle.blogspot.com/2010/0 ... tears.html

cheers

Peter

[ILUVSWTAS]

Thanks Peter, that could be very helpful.
And what a beautiful yet awfully sad story you've got there.