First solo bushwalk in the Dial Range! Photos and questions!

[Ambience]

Today I did my first ever solo walk. Nothing major for most here, but for me it was quite an achievement. The solitude was really quite blissful and serene!

Anyway, I had to park my poor Magna (lowered with sports suspension) halfway up the forestry track, with a 10-15 minute walk to the Gnomon carpark, as it just wasn't coping with the track!! I get to the Gnomon carpark, and couldn't understand the diagonal arrows on the sign, so went down another forestry track for a further 10-15 minutes, where I came to a sign going left for Mt Gnomon and right for Tall Trees Track. So I'm guessing I took the Tall Trees route to the top of Mt Gnomon? Upon coming back down (after reaching the top!) the same way I entered, I realised that there looks to be another entrance.. So is this track on the far left the actual Gnomon track? Pic below..



Anyway, on top of Mt Gnomon, I met a local guy who works at an outdoor store who actually served me a few weeks ago!! Small world! Due to my obviously neglected navgation skills, I was going to end the walk with Mt Gnomon. But he assured me Mt Duncan is easier, and because I was unsure about taking the Tall Trees route to Duncan, he suggested to follow the forestry road by foot to come out at the start of the Duncan track. So off I went. 30 minute walk from the Gnomon carpark to the bottom of Duncan, and I headed off up Duncan. Easier my backside!! Both tracks were quite overgrown, but this one (must be from the rain yesterday) was very slippery up the top ten minutes!! But, I got there (the rope helped too! I remember someone on here said it was useless! Damn my short legs!!) and it was beautiful! Is this the trig point of Duncan? Pic below..



So all up it took me around 6 hours, with half hour on top of each to enjoy the view and have a snack!! My favourite moment of the day was seeing my beloved Mt Roland off in the distance of both peaks

Dodgy zoom pic below!!



Thanks to everyone yesterday who replied on my information post!! I loved every bit of it Again, it's not much compared to what a lot of you guys manage, but considering it was my first solo walk and I'm relatively new to bushwalking, and I've also overcome a couple of personal issues (one is losing 55kgs recently!), I feel very amazed at what I'm now capable of doing

PS: For those wondering, yes the road is open all the way to Duncan, but definitely needs a 4WD!!

[tibboh]

Awesome. Sounds like you've got the bug. Thanks for sharing with us and keep on walking.
It might be time to get another car

[sthughes]

Nice work.

I headed off up Duncan. Easier my backside!!

Yep, you know what they say - believe half what you see and nothing you hear!

Yes the main track up Gnomon is the one on the far left. You went down Dial Road and then onto the Tall Trees Track, either way works, but the signs could be a lot clearer!

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[Chrisbulldog]

One of my favourite places . Perhaps climbing Mt. Montgomery could be you next challenge . Starting point is not far
into Ironcliffe Road , it's better signed . Bit of a gutbuster finish , but the views are worth it.A clear day would be helpful.

[Ambience]

I've done Mt Montgomery, a few weeks ago actually Lovely as well! I think Gnomon is my favourite of the three so far!

[pazzar]

Glad you enjoyed it out there! Gnomon is my favourite too. It's the only one I've been up several times. Have you been out to St Valentines? I'd be putting it on the list if not.

[Ambience]

Haven't been to Valentine's yet, but it's been on my list for a few weeks now! Not entirely sure its a safe solo one?

[pazzar]

I'm not sure of the condition of the track at the moment. Maybe after a few more shorter walks you may have the confidence to go up solo. I think it is just the creek at the start that catches some people out. I actually haven't been up it yet. After living in Burnie for a large portion of my life, I have never bothered to go up there. It wasn't until I moved away that I really began to get into the outdoors.

Perhaps contact some of the NW walkers here on the forum - they may be interested in heading up with you.

[north-north-west]

The track to St Val's is a doddle and was in good nick when I did it a month or so back. A teensy bit of scrambling on the ridgeline but if you coped with the rocks on the top of Duncan, you'll cope with St Valentine (although there's more of it up there). A lovely little walk.

re Duncan: no-one, ever, should try the old Purton's Flat 'track' short route to Hardstaff Creek. The main loop over the top of Dunc and down is fine, but the stretch below the old wooden sign is sheer Hell. A completely different dimension of pain and struggle down that hillside.

[Ambience]

The track to St Val's is a doddle and was in good nick when I did it a month or so back. A teensy bit of scrambling on the ridgeline but if you coped with the rocks on the top of Duncan, you'll cope with St Valentine (although there's more of it up there). A lovely little walk.

re Duncan: no-one, ever, should try the old Purton's Flat 'track' short route to Hardstaff Creek. The main loop over the top of Dunc and down is fine, but the stretch below the old wooden sign is sheer Hell. A completely different dimension of pain and struggle down that hillside.

Why oh why does this intrigue me so much?! Curiosity killed the cat, yes? Haha Is it 'do-able'? I very much like the more difficult things..

[north-north-west]

I survived.
I got there (eventually).
But, believe me, there was nothing at all enjoyable about it, not even the surviving and getting there (eventually).
The 'track' disappears under approximately 37,596 fallen trees within 50m of the turn off. After that, you're on your own. It's steep. It's rocky. It's scrubby. It has unexpected cliffs. Plus, if I haven't already mentioned them, there are those 37,596 (give or take a few) fallen trees to clamber over, under or around.
Trust me - you do not want to do this.