Mt Weld Track Update

[Dolerite Walker]

As you approach Isabella Creek driving to the start of the Mt Weld walk, you will now find this:

The road has caved in. Evidently the road was built up ~8m from creek level rather than put in a bridge, but is has now sunken in completely. From this barrier it is a further ~1.5km to the start of the walk.

These photos were taken Dec 7 2014.

[Drifting]

boy that's some dodgy road building!

[north-north-west]

This isb't all that recent a development.
It was like that last summer when I climbed Weld. I'm surprised it is so little further degraded than it was when I went up.

[tibboh]

Is there parking nearby or enough room to turn?? Am planning a night up there soon.

[Dolerite Walker]

[quote="north-north-west"]:roll: This isb't all that recent a development.
It was like that last summer when I climbed Weld.

Pity someone didn't share the info sooner then.

[Dolerite Walker]

Tibboh,

Enough room for a 4WD to turn and park by the road side.

[tibboh]

Are you saying you need a 4wd to get this far? I hope not.

[north-north-west]

Naaah, it's an easy drive in. Think he just meant that a larger than average vehicle can easily turn and park. There's limited space but as the road doesn't continue you have a few options for parking as long as you're not blocking anyone else.

[pathfinder]

I was planning to climb my weld in the next couple of weeks.
Could anyone tell me if a key is needed please.
Thanks

[tibboh]

That's good. Cheers NNW.

[devoswitch]

Is this Giant hole still in the road on Sth Weld Rd does anyone know? Also a couple of other questions...

How much further up the rd is it to the start of the track up Mt Weld?

I hear there's a newer track now which cuts a little bit of time from the old one?

I'm struggling to fun too much info about these questions. If someone could point me in the right direction is be really appreciative. I have a day off work tomorrow and although breezy it's going to be sunny so I thought I'd make the most of it.

[north-north-west]

Last I heard the Sth Weld Rd was closed due to flood damage. That was a while ago though, so you want to check current road closures with TasPaws and/or FT.
Even if it's open, there are no plans to repair the road (and never were). It's only a bit over 1km to the start of the old track anyway. Maybe 15 - 20 minutes with a full pack.

First I've heard of a new route up. The old one is a bit messy in places (especially through the cutting grass sections) with lots of treefalls, but no idea about new tracks or routes.
Where did you hear about it?

[devoswitch]

Ah thank you for that. I really should go check as I don't live that far away from the area. I ended up going up Picton instead yesterday it was absolutely beautiful. Not a breath of wind.
I'm sure read about it here somewhere... Started a bit further North I believe and shaved off a couple or few hundred m's altitude? Not sure sorry..?

[L_Cham_67]

Re-opening this thread for anyone thinking about heading up to Weld.
I went up Mt Weld as a day trip yesterday. As well as the hole in the road described earlier, the bridge over the Weld River 10km down the road is blocked due to damage from the fires last summer. Thankfully I knew of this in advance, so I took my bike.

These are the walking/riding times for me:
Weld River to start of track on bike - 90 mins (I had to walk long periods because I don't ride often aha)
Start of track to summit - 5 hrs 35 mins
Return trip - 5 hrs 5 mins.
Descent on bike - 36 mins.
Including all breaks and the bike ride, Mt Weld was a 13 hour, 28 minute day. 6:50am start, 8:18pm finish.

The cutting grass stretch wasn't as bad as I was anticipating, but still demanding! The tape markers in the forest were usually okay to follow. They're a mixture of colours but predominantly pink. Every now and then I would have to hunt around to find the next one. I found a small wooden sign with '600' written on it, which could only be elevation. Just next to it was a PWS research plot sign. Once in the scrub, quite a few pieces of tape had fallen onto the ground, and following the pad was tricky at times. Once I popped out of the scrub, navigation to the unnamed lake was fairly straightforward, as was working my way to the summit and its superb views.

[biggbird]

We headed up Weld yesterday, and the Weld River bridge has been rebuilt/opened, so one can now make it as far as Isabella Creek again. 12h roundtrip for us, not as fast as some, but a lovely walk. The cutting grass section was very easy, so I can only imagine it has seen a bit of traffic. Lost the tapes a couple of times in the forest, but only briefly. Lovely views on top!

[pazzar]

I went up Mt Weld yesterday. No real changes to the track condition. The road is still washed out at Isabella Creek, and there is a monster euc that has fallen 100m up the road from the washout. The cutting grass is not as bad as it was on my first ascent 11 years ago, but still work packing some gloves for that section. The track up through the forest is mostly well taped until it reaches the subalpine plateau. It's a little overgrown and scratchy up towards the top.

[Lostsoul]

Any good spots to camp on Weld or the way up to make it a good overnighter?

[north-north-west]

There's a tarn on a shelf on the way up, not far below the start of the boulders. Good camping there, and even better if you follow the minor moraine up to the left a bit. But you want reasonably calm conditions for the higher camp.

[Lostsoul]

There's a tarn on a shelf on the way up, not far below the start of the boulders. Good camping there, and even better if you follow the minor moraine up to the left a bit. But you want reasonably calm conditions for the higher camp.

Did end up camping at the tarn,lovely spot.Had a swim too,water was freezing lol