Bushwalk Australia

My wife and I are contemplating the crossing river trip in January. That is - walk in from Scotts peak to the crossing river, down the river and fly out from melaleuca. We will run a good inflatable (incept) but I guess will have to do the walk in a couple of times to bring the gear to the river.
I have read the description on the kayaking tas site.

Has anyone got any recent experience of that trip. I am interested in the walk in and any other info that people can provide.
Thanks

Lex wrote:My wife and I are contemplating the crossing river trip in January. That is - walk in from Scotts peak to the crossing river..... <snip>

Having done just a little of the Port Davey track, that is, Horseshoe Inlet to Melaleuca (twice, 2 years apart, after 14 days walking), I can certainly understand the appeal of finding another mode of transport between Crossing River & Melaleuca.

But sorry, I cannot answer your question. Others may know.

A friend cancelled this trip this season due to the damage done by the huge January fire. She mentioned toxicity of the water as being one issue.

I would contact Mt Field PWS and ask the state of play down there.

Lex

I walked the PDT two weeks ago. Happy to share some details with you and will send something tonight when I have more time

Tom

tasadam wrote:Having done just a little of the Port Davey track... I can certainly understand the appeal of finding another mode of transport between Crossing River & Melaleuca..

What's wrong with the Old Port Davey? It has everything of the best Tasmania has to offer: mud, leeches, more mud, more leeches, mud . . .

stepbystep wrote:A friend cancelled this trip this season due to the damage done by the huge January fire. She mentioned toxicity of the water as being one issue.

I would contact Mt Field PWS and ask the state of play down there.

How long term is the toxicity issue?

mjdalessa wrote:

stepbystep wrote:A friend cancelled this trip this season due to the damage done by the huge January fire. She mentioned toxicity of the water as being one issue.

I would contact Mt Field PWS and ask the state of play down there.

How long term is the toxicity issue?

No idea. Hence my advice.
She was going mid January soon after the fires. Perhaps it's ok now? The Crossing area was burnt pretty bad I'm lead to believe...

Water was certainly fine to drink out of Junction last weekend, and that area has been badly burnt too. I doubt it would be an issue now, but worth calling to check!

stepbystep wrote:

mjdalessa wrote:

stepbystep wrote:A friend cancelled this trip this season due to the damage done by the huge January fire. She mentioned toxicity of the water as being one issue.

I would contact Mt Field PWS and ask the state of play down there.

How long term is the toxicity issue?

No idea. Hence my advice.
She was going mid January soon after the fires. Perhaps it's ok now? The Crossing area was burnt pretty bad I'm lead to believe...

Gets flushed pretty fast, im sure it's be ok now.

The Crossing River and Davey River combination is a delightful and relatively easy paddle. The Crossing gorge could be tricky in high water, in low to moderate water it will be a delight. I suggest not to put in at the track crossing, but shortly after, to avoid a choked section near the Dodds junction. Enjoy!

Sounds Awesome. Will sure beat the walk from Junction to The Narrows! Keep us updated.

ILUVSWTAS wrote:

stepbystep wrote:

mjdalessa wrote:How long term is the toxicity issue?

No idea. Hence my advice.
She was going mid January soon after the fires. Perhaps it's ok now? The Crossing area was burnt pretty bad I'm lead to believe...

Gets flushed pretty fast, im sure it's be ok now.

Actually I recall her saying it would be sometime due to the heavily burnt area creating a toxic runoff. I'd be making a phone call or 2. Sounds like a great trip for sure but I'd be prepared to see a lot of burnt out country.

As promised a few brief details of recent PDT walk two weeks ago:

Scotts Peak to Crossing River took me about six hours (two and a half to Junction Creek), easy flat walking but, as usual, fairly boggy approaching Junction Creek. From there to the Crossing River the track is pretty good and not very wet despite lots of recent rain. There are good dry camp sites at Junction Creek (south side of the rvier) and Crossing (east side). From about half an hour before Junction Creek right through to the Crossing River (in fact through to just before Spring River) all the vegetation has been burnt out on both sides of the track resulting in no scrub bashing being required.

Beware fast rising river levels after rain- would be asy to get into trouble, particularly at Crossing which flows pretty quickly where the PDT crosses!

No concerns re water quality after the fires- lots of water has flushed the rivers since then.

Not the most scenic trip in Tas but then I knew that before I started.