THE TEMPLE

[naturelover]

I think I have read somewhere that there is an "environmentally preferred" (as in it damages the environment less) way to ascend the Temple. As I hope to get up it before sunrise on the weekend, I'd appreciate any words on this before I set out. Ta.

[ILUVSWTAS]

The Temple in the WOJ?? Im guessing by preffered, they mean use the track.....

I think alot of folk go over it to get to Mt Jerusalem instead of sticking to the formed paths.

[stepbystep]

I think alot of folk go over it to get to Mt Jerusalem instead of sticking to the formed paths.

I did this but there is a scree slope the whole way, hardly high impact!

The track is a stone staircase from the saddle between The Temple and Solomons Throne. Marked on any half decent map.

[ILUVSWTAS]

You naughty boy. What gives you the right to think for yourself and walk where you please.....

[naturelover]

That's an interesting comment sbs - there is no track up the Temple marked on either my TASMAP Lands, Parks and Wildlife map of the Walls, and neither is there one marked on my ADA 1:25,000 map. Last time I went up, I made a bee line from Dixon's Kingdom, but I thought they were worried about the scree becoming unstable or something and we were being encouraged to go a different way. I have used the track up Solomon's throne for sunrise photos many times, but have certainly not noticed a stone-paved track as you describe up the Temple. Anyway, I'll save time and go straight from the kingdom.

Re the other, tongue in cheek comment on my going where I like - I am a wild animal at heart, and so will assume the same rights as other wild animals

[ILUVSWTAS]

How long ago were you up there? The track to the Temple starts at the same place as Solomons. It is well marked and impossible to miss.

[Lizzy]

This is it I think

[naturelover]

Hm. I don't wish to be rude, but I think that looks like the track going from the saddle (Damascus Gate) leading down SE-ish to Dixon's Kingdom (indeed, a very clear track). Could this be so?

[stepbystep]

That's an interesting comment sbs - there is no track up the Temple marked on either my TASMAP Lands, Parks and Wildlife map of the Walls, and neither is there one marked on my ADA 1:25,000 map. Last time I went up, I made a bee line from Dixon's Kingdom, but I thought they were worried about the scree becoming unstable or something and we were being encouraged to go a different way. I have used the track up Solomon's throne for sunrise photos many times, but have certainly not noticed a stone-paved track as you describe up the Temple. Anyway, I'll save time and go straight from the kingdom.

Re the other, tongue in cheek comment on my going where I like - I am a wild animal at heart, and so will assume the same rights as other wild animals

Must admit I didn't check any map before making that comment It's most definitly there though.

[naturelover]

Well, hopefully I'll be able to give you the very latest news on the state of the track in 48 hours, and, possibly of more interest, the state of the sunrise. Sunrise from Solomon's is possibly the least interesting one I've climbed by torchlight for. Sunset from Zion Hill was much better. If this wether continues, there'll be no sunrise or -set from anywhere.

[Graham51]

Lizzy's photo is definitely on The Temple and here's another view. A bit rough compared to what I've seen going to Wineglass Bay and Cape Huay but some pretty impressive stonework all the same.
After looking again I think the bit of track bottom right of my photo is the track in Lizzy's photo.

[taswegian]

Never heard of comments re The Temple, but have re Hall's Buttress.
I think they were concerned about all the scree ending up on the saddle

The Temple track (stonework) is a credit to the builders.
Didn't they have some Scottish bloke doing it?

[naturelover]

thanks for that Graham51 - and for the wonderful photo. I love it.

[naturelover]

well, as it turn out, I didn't go to Dixon's and therefore didn't go up the Temple for sunset or rise. Instead we had this view from higher up

[stepbystep]

Ooooohhh!!!

[Rob one]

The Temple is made up of highly weathered basalt and brown/orange clay soil . As walkers cavort over this terrain the clay is exposed and erosion gallops away. About 10 years ago I and my co-worker Laurie Rickards, working for National Parks, re-arranged the scree below Solomon's Throne (Hall's Buttress to the purists) into a stairway to save the direct access gully, and flew by helicopter 30+ tonnes of rock from the West Wall to build the Temple track. The recovery on the Temple has been amazing and we urge walkers to appreciate the result by sticking to the track!
The Scottish trackies were on a world sojourn and dropped in to most National Parks imparting knowledge of how to 'Pitch" stone in trackwork. No, we don't throw it in! What you see on the surface is but a fraction of the stone. The Temple has a nice curved piece of this system done by Laurie, and there is another rather rough bit going up Mt Jerusalem (our trial bit).

[tasadam]

The Temple is made up of highly weathered basalt and brown/orange clay soil . As walkers cavort over this terrain the clay is exposed and erosion gallops away. About 10 years ago I and my co-worker Laurie Rickards, working for National Parks, re-arranged the scree below Solomon's Throne (Hall's Buttress to the purists) into a stairway to save the direct access gully, and flew by helicopter 30+ tonnes of rock from the West Wall to build the Temple track. The recovery on the Temple has been amazing and we urge walkers to appreciate the result by sticking to the track!
The Scottish trackies were on a world sojourn and dropped in to most National Parks imparting knowledge of how to 'Pitch" stone in trackwork. No, we don't throw it in! What you see on the surface is but a fraction of the stone. The Temple has a nice curved piece of this system done by Laurie, and there is another rather rough bit going up Mt Jerusalem (our trial bit).

Thank you for joining and sharing this story. I really admire the trackwork to the two peaks you mention here and applaud you.
I bet you've got some great stories to tell & I bet I'm not alone in saying I'd love to hear them.

[Ent]

Great posts. Restored my faith in the forum that such gems can come out. I am in awe of the handy work and congratulate all involved.

Cheers

[photohiker]

No, we don't throw it in! What you see on the surface is but a fraction of the stone. The Temple has a nice curved piece of this system done by Laurie, and there is another rather rough bit going up Mt Jerusalem (our trial bit).

Having walked both these tracks last week, all I can say is wow.

I was wondering how the stonework was done so well, now we know. Thanks!