Penguin-Cradle washed out?

[koco-nut]

Has anyone walked or know if the Penguin-Cradle track is currently intact and totally usable (since the recent flooding has washed several road bridges out) especially along the Leven River?

[whiskeylover]

Google the North West Walking Club site which details the Penguin Cradle Trail. They have put a cautionary note at the beginning of this telling you to allow for extra time due to the recent floods bringing down many trees across the track. Some of this track is pretty steep and rough at the best of times so you would want to be cautious if there are washouts, lost markers, unstable trees etc., but I can't find any current information that anyone has gone and checked it out properly for its entire length yet. Good luck if you still plan to do it, and let us know what you find.

[koco-nut]

Thanks, I have emailed them last week,but haven't heard back from them. I haven't found any current info anywhere either. I think I'll still attempt it anyway ... But still looking for some other female who would do it with me in a few weeks.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Just spent a few days up that way doing a few short drives (some walking was involved) alot of the roads around the Dial Range are washed out.

[carlz]

Have also been wondering the same thing. Planning to complete Penguin-Cradle in March. Have also emailed the club secretary and had no response.. Hoping someone has been out that way and can fill us in.

[Kelly Jones]

I don't know how much is washed out, as I've only been on a few short day walks late in January, like Mt Montgomery and the Tall Trees bit before Mt Duncan. There were no signs of the flood damage in those small sections, but it's highly likely there will be log jams and so forth to walk around. I've been thinking of doing a walk in the next two weeks, of up to 5 days, and this was one possibility. I have John Chapman's route suggestions. It'd be interesting to see what the trail is like, so PM me if you're still interested kokonut.

[ColinPBriggs]

Three of us walked the PCT from Cradle to Penguin 22-Feb-2011 thru 28-Feb-2011. It's really hard going, lost 3kg in a week. The issue is not washouts, its all the fallen trees and flood debri. I estimate that there are about 1000 trees over the track between Paddys Lake and Penguin (we were going south->north). What should be a hard walk turns into days of commando course. The camping area at Tulip Tree creek has been washed away. You might get one tent up with a bit of digging. Island bend camp is good. The times on the NWWC route guide are way off because of the trees.
One of us contacted NWWC about the track. They are unable to maintain it properly anymore, not enough volunteers. Most of it is in state forrest so they need someone with a "chain saw license" to do any tree removal.

[Liamy77]

the SES may be able to help out with the chainsaw license part either through volunteering with them too to get the training or a qualified volunteer already trained that may be willing to help....

[koco-nut]

Thanks for that, Colin. I've had to postpone my walking there until mid-March, but I might just do some of it, instead of all, because of my timeframe, rather than lose 3 kg and do internal injuries!!
Does the SES do an element of forest clearing? Sounds like a good opt in idea, for when/if they are not busy elsewhere. I might drop them a line and ask them.

[Liamy77]

they do provide chainsaw training (among other training) from time to time for their volunteers.... if you join and do the training then you have the qualification.... otherwise they might have a volunteer willing to help out ...... have to ask around i guess

[carlz]

Hi Colin,

Sent you a PM as well. Was planning to do this trip next week - did you still find it enjoyable despite the errr... challenges?
We have 8 days to complete, would an extra day have made things easier?

[carlz]

We just got back from doing half the Penguin-Cradle Trail – we pulled out at Loongana. I must say there is some amazing forest and the river is beautiful. Hardstaff Creek and Blackwood Camp are lovely campsites and we had a great time swimming in the Leven. There was quite a bit of debris on the tramway but was not too difficult to get through/around despite being 7ft high across the track in places. From towards the top of Mt. Lorymer onwards however the trail was hard going with lots of fallen trees. I’d estimate over at least 800 trees in total.

The track was very well marked through to Loongana and easy to follow despite a number of marker trees being down – did require a bit of scouting round some longer sections of blowdowns. The fire-hose and rope creek-crossings had all been washed out although one rope had been retied further upstream. With water levels low these were not needed – this may be a problem if creeks were higher.

Some of the narrower goat-track sections through the canyon were difficult were trees had fallen across the track - especially for those of us with a poor head for heights when trees were either hanging overhead or had to be climbed over – My knees shook like mad on a few sections. I did enjoy the climb up the fixed rope and the ladders and stairway which were all in good condition. We were approaching double the recommended times in some of these sections largely from negotiating obstacles although we probably could have been a bit fitter and myself less nervous.

The descent from Griffiths Ridge was slippery in a few places but in generally good condition and the track was clear from the exit of the canyon to Loongana Road.

[NickD]

Walked the Penguin to Cradle trail in mid Feb this year for the 3rd time (other times April 2010 & September 2010) and the whilst the debris & tree fall was pretty high, its no different from my previous other two times. You must prepare for the fact that the trip is difficult and the trail primitive. This is probably one of the hardest factors, the rough underfoot factor. Still....fantastic trip! Love it. Leven Canyon is a beaut.

I've done the trip twice with paying guests who have done Kokoda and both times I've had them say PCT is much harder.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Lol, love your recent walks sig NIck.

I reckon you should dump the Nth to Sth bit and just have it read "Tasmania"