Wurragarra Creek crossing on Lees Paddocks Track

[juney]

It seems a number of you are very familiar with this area. After many hours of trying to find this info I am left confused and would appreciate any assistance.
Re. the Wurragarra creek crossing on Lees Paddocks Track around 1km before Lees Hut (if travelling East to west)...is there a foot bridge or must you wade across, and if it is the latter is a rope a likely requirement for a June trip?
Cheers,
Juney.

[johnw]

It seems a number of you are very familiar with this area. After many hours of trying to find this info I am left confused and would appreciate any assistance.
Re. the Wurragarra creek crossing on Lees Paddocks Track around 1km before Lees Hut (if travelling East to west)...is there a foot bridge or must you wade across, and if it is the latter is a rope a likely requirement for a June trip?
Cheers,
Juney.

I assume E to W means coming in from the Mersey Forest Rd (no detailed map handy right now). I've only been there once, in May, so conditions might be different now. If it's the one I'm thinking of there is a bridge, although I think it's closer than 1km to the hut. From memory it's a log bridge with wire or similar to use as a hand hold. The log was a bit slippery when we were there, so watch your step (it was also pouring rain). I remember another creek crossing before that but it was fairly shallow (no bridge), near some gates. Stepped across on some rocks I think. That one may be 1km or so from the hut.

[Son of a Beach]

Yes, there is a bridge not far from the hut, but many people miss it, as the track before and after the bridge is not easy to spot at some times of year, and people often just spread out in the area anyhow, so the pad is not as well defined.

The bridge is amongst a stand of trees on the creek, and as John described is a log with a wire to hold onto.

EDIT: I should clarify... the track immediately before/after the bridge is quite clear, but the track between the entrance to the paddocks and the bridge is not well defined all the way, and there are 3 different routes that people take after entering the paddocks anyway (reedy lake, mersey river, hut), and that is why many people miss the bridge (I didn't know the bridge was there until my third visit to the paddocks).

[flyfisher]

This is the bridge you're after with STHughes demonstrating how not to fall off.



ff

[rabbit]

Just make sure no "mates" wobble the bridge when you are on it!
It can be slippery at times as well so be careful especially when raining.
All the little creeks along the track I have crossed in runners and did not get wet feet.

Ryan

[corvus]

If you are coming from Mersey Forest Road when you get to the Wurragarra Creek follow it upstream and you cannot miss the Bridge, from any other way on the Southern side do the same thing ,simplistic when you are in the know and as SoaB mentioned the track is sometimes hard to pick up at the start from either end however just remember there is a bridge and not far from where you are
P.S. its not a Log its a nice split bouncy Wattle ?? Tree and is a credit to the Lees Huts caretakers as that is all that is available in the area

C

[flyfisher]

And as can be seen from the photo it's immensely STRONG
FF

[corvus]

And as can be seen from the photo it's immensely STRONG
FF

It must be FF as it took your weight
C

[flyfisher]

And as can be seen from the photo it's immensely STRONG
FF

It must be FF as it took your weight
C

Be that as it may, I consciously let STH go before me
FF

Last edited by flyfisher on Fri 05 Jun, 2009 10:03 am, edited 2 times in total.

[juney]

Thanks so much, you've all been a great help. And yahe for not having to wade through a Tassie creek in winter!
Cheers,
Juney

[tastrekker]

And yahe for not having to wade through a Tassie creek in winter!

Be careful not to count your chickens before they hatch.

Where the Wurragarra crosses the paddocks, it fans out into 3 or 4 branches which can be quite difficult to wade. Before the bridge was put on the main (permanent) branch, I've waded the second largest branch close to waist deep only to arrive at the main one which was an uncrossable raging torrent. The only way to cross was to wade it chest deep where the water slowed down as it met the flooded Mersey.

The above example was the worst case I've experienced. I've crossed various 'bridges' which have been placed over the Wuragarra at this spot over the years and I have often had to enjoy a knee-deep wade through the other branches first!

I'm sure you are aware that weather can change very rapidly in Tassie and sudden heavy rain or severe cold can dramatically alter conditions at any time of the year. Creeks can rise and fall very quickly.