Bushwalk Australia

It's that time of the year again. Thought it might be a good idea if we had a topic on the "state of the fagus" around the place!!

We can't be everywhere - If you spot the fagus turning please let us know here.

For those new to the forum - Tasmania hosts the only native deciduous tree which is prolific all around Cradle and down to Lake St Clair along with several other places. See viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1988&p=16899&hilit=fagus+at+the+walls#p16899 (not sure how to put in a link). The fagus turns from about a week before Anzac Day (25th April) and stays for a week or two until it is blown away!

Cradle becomes a picture and a photographers delight. There is often only one clear still day when it is picture perfect.



I havealso included a new Fagus Gallery topic.

Gerry

Fagus is just getting a bit of colour here at Cradle. Beautiful orange tinge around Mt Cambell and Lake Wilks another week and it should be fantastic!

What trails on Cradle Mountain are good for fagus? I think we'll do some shooting this long weekend.

It's just about everywhere Camera Poser!

My site needs a tidy up but some links are here.

http://www.touringtasmania.info/autumn_at_cradle.htm
http://www.touringtasmania.info/crater_peak.htm
http://www.touringtasmania.info/hounslow_heath.htm

There is a large tract on Cradle Cirque just before Waterfall Valley on the other side of Cradle. I am hoping to get there this season. Crater Lake is fantastic. Arguable the better walk is on the way to Lake Rodway via Hansons Lake, Twisted Lake and Lake Rodway. It must be about another hour or hour and a half over to Waterfall Valley (Cradle Cirque). I don't know if there is any on the western side of Cradle on the Overland Track.

Gerry

thanks Gerry!

There is the odd bit turning in the western arthurs last week. sure wish I was there to see it.

Since I moved to Tassie, I've spent the past four autumns telling myself I must get a chance to see the fagus, but fate has always intervened (losing a kidney one autumn was the biggest bummer!), but I finally got up to Crater Lake today (Sunday 19th).

Most of it was still turning, but the hillsides definitely had a nice golden flush. I imagine in another week or two it will be really spectacular (how long does it usually take to turn completely?).

I've posted this photo and another in the Fagus thread in the Gallery:

how long does it usually take to turn completely?)

Good question Clownfish!

It's hard to pick. It will be out at Twisted Lakes but gone at nearby Artist's Pool!! It's nearly there at Crater Lake and coming out nicely looking at your photo. I was thinking of going tomorrow - but the weekend looks the go. I rang the visitors centre at Mt Field. They said it was starting to turn on Tarn Shelf. But a way off yet. They thought it may not be that good this year.

It will stay until it blows away.

Gerry

Hi all....

I'm thinking of a mission into Meston around the 16th May....

Do you think there's still any chance of a Fagus spectacular then??

I was at lake Meston on exactly the 16th of May last year. The Gunii was near its end but still looking good. Ie, very bright yellow, but not much left on the trees. This is a good time for the carpet of leaves on the ground. You can see some pictures of the Fagus at Lake Meston from 16th May last year here:

http://nixanz.com/photos/index.php?albu ... 160037.jpg
http://nixanz.com/photos/index.php?albu ... 160050.jpg
http://nixanz.com/photos/index.php?albu ... 170072.jpg

Check out the golden carpet of leaves under the trees in the first photo and on the beach (not so much on the beech) in the last photo.

The only weekend we seem to have available is the last weekend in May......

Had planned to fly down Friday am, head up to the Cradle area, have a night or two at Scott Kilvett and then fly back to Vic on Sunday. The trip would be specifically to enjoy the fagus (my wife really loves the colours)

Sounds like we might miss out....

Ideas, other places, worth booking flights?

Great, thanks for the links Nik.... Getting me all amped!

Looks like it should still be fairly lit up anyhow. Albeit a few skeletons around...

It's going to be great being out there regardless methinks

Just back from Cradle. Fagus would have been great if I could have seen it through the regen. burn smoke. God knows what the tourists thought! Twisted lakes will be perfect next weekend. Cheers.

I live and work at cradle and spent most of the day around dove lake, I thought the fagus was nice today.
Wasn't that just low lying cloud today?

Thanks Joel. I have next Thursday & Friday off so I hope the current rough weather doesn't blow it away. I would like to circumnavigate the mountain.

Thanks also to Pedro for the pics from Tarn Shelf. It might also survive the cold snap!

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2073

Gerry

On Thursday it was definitely smoke, Joel. I was watching its progress from the top of Hounslow Heath. Came in from the east about midday and filled the Marylands valley, around Mt. Kate house and L. Lilla. Forestry Tas's timing is impeccable!

Looks like the weather might beat us this year. Mt Barrow and Ben Lomond were covered in snow today. HOpefully the weather has not blown it away.

Keep the posts coming!!


Gerry

I spoke to a Mt Field PWS officer yesterday who advised there should still be a bit around Backhouse Tarn and Lake Newdegate as it's more sheltered at that end of Tarn Shelf.

Hoping to have a look on Sunday.

Cradle was quite variable on Sunday. Lake Wilks looks the best but plenty around Crater lake. Quite variable, some trees already lost everything while others still completely green with most of it still an in between half and half colour. Expect plenty to still be around next weekend by the looks of it yesterday.