Jacksons Creek Circuit?

[rwfox]

I am planning a walk in the first week of December and I would like some opinions on the track and times:

The walk I had in mind would be:

Jacksons Creek to Lake Myrtle,
Lake Myrtle to Junction Lake,
Junction Lake to Kia Ora Hut,
Kia Ora Hut to Pelion Hut,
Pelion Hut to Lees Paddock,
Lees Paddock to Road.

I have not done the Jackons Creek track or from Lake Meston through the Never-never.

There is also a short cut from Kia Ora through Less Paddock is that easy to find?

[frenchy_84]

Jacksons creek to lake myrtle is pretty easy and quick, im no good at remembering times but it would only be a couple of hours. In a day I walked the jacksons creek track to lake myrtle, went off track and walked up the face from lake myrtle of Mt Rogoona then across the mtn top in a SE direction till we met the Junction lake track (all reasonably easy off track walking and IMO quicker than the suggested route up Rogoona) and made it to the junction lake hut in time to walk to the mtns of jupiter in the evening

and just incase you havent seen this thread, it mentions how to locate the start of jacksons creek track
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=158

[norts]

I have walked Jackson Ck to Junction in one day, quite do able but a along day.
Also walked the Never Never, along time ago, not as easy to find as the Jackson Ck track.
The start of the Kiaora to Lees paddock via Reg Wadley is hard to find, I have only walked the reverse. John Chapmans book describes it well but it isnt easily seen when walking on the OT.

Roger

[rwfox]

Frenchy & Norts.
......
.... From the map/google earth it looks like the Jackson Creek track should follow the valley up through some open country to Lake myrtle.
I thought it may join the track between lake Bill and Myrtle, but that gully looks quite steep?
I will also have to follow the track via Lake Meston to Junction Lake, the significant other half would not be keen on going bush.
Norts did you take the short cut or follow the track.

[norts]

The jackson track comes right into Lake myrtle
The track from Meston to Junction is easy to follow until you get near junction then it is easy to get side tracked with all the wombat tracks.

I walked up from Lees Paddock to Reg Wadley then onto Kiaora, coming onto the OT just south of the Kiaora Ck crossing.

Roger

[corvus]

G'day rwfox,
I have a fair bit of experience on this track and the Never Never (including the short cut Kia Ora to Lees) none of them are really difficult ,but in keeping with forum rules some are "off track now" so I will be happy to discuss them with you per PM.
corvus

[norts]

Corvus do these tracks/routes qualify as off track, they are all described in Chapmans book?
I don't want to break rules either but the only reason i have been discussing them is because of Chapmans book.

Nik?

Roger

[rwfox]

Roger
I am not sure about the days. I thought walking too Lake myrtle on the first day would be a good warm up.
The camp spot at the lake is beautiful and would would be good for photo,s late afternoon.
How long would it be to Junction Lake from myrtle.
I thought you would need a full day to go through the never never and this would line you up.
Or should we start the never is there a good camp site after Junction.

[norts]

Good camping at Junction, cant remember what the camping is like in the Never, while since i walked that track and wasnt looking for tent sites
Myrtle is a nice camp site, Jackson to Junction is a long day.

Roger

[rwfox]

I missed corvus reply while I was typing. So I will contact him about off track routes.

Last time I walked passed Lake Meston it was full of rubber rafts with fly fishermen in wets suits.
I guessed there must have been another route in. to carry such items.

I was trying to get a good idea on waking times etc, so I can plan pleasant days with time for photography.

[pazzar]

I think they would have walked up the Lake Bill track if they were carrying rafts to Lake Meston. It is only about an hour between Junction and Meston if that gives you any indication of distance. The tracked routes up there are generally open and easy to follow, I cannot give much info on the Never-never, but Corvus knows the area well, so he is the best source of info for the 'off track' routes.

[corvus]

Corvus do these tracks/routes qualify as off track, they are all described in Chapmans book?
I don't want to break rules either but the only reason i have been discussing them is because of Chapmans book.

Nik?

Roger

G'day Roger,
Not a criticism of you
I was thinking about Jacksons Creek Track which is now not recognised by Parks, nor ever was "Hartnetts" Kia Ora to Wadleys neither of which are mentioned in Chapmans Book I believe ,I do not mind anyone doing these walks just dont want us locals making them sound like easy do
corvus

[norts]

Chapmans -Cradle Mt /Lake St Clair & Walls of Jerusalem NP
Page 176 Lees Paddock to Kiaora Hut 7.9 Km 4 hours; map on page 117 with track marked - This is how I found out about this route.

I stand corrected in regard to Jackson Ck Track only reference is Page 178 " Ignore minor track branching off to left (Jackson Creek track to Lake Myrtle)" so no track descriptionin his book.

[Son of a Beach]

From what I remember of those routes they weren't particularly sensitive. However, people who've not been there before should be aware that the routes may be difficult to follow in some areas if they do not have good navigation skills. Not as bad as some other areas though.

[corvus]

Chapmans -Cradle Mt /Lake St Clair & Walls of Jerusalem NP
Page 176 Lees Paddock to Kiaora Hut 7.9 Km 4 hours; map on page 117 with track marked - This is how I found out about this route.

I stand corrected in regard to Jackson Ck Track only reference is Page 178 " Ignore minor track branching off to left (Jackson Creek track to Lake Myrtle)" so no track descriptionin his book.

G'day Norts
Very sorry should have re read Chapmans second book
corvus

[norts]

NP Corvus the book sits on the window sill in my loo, always looking at it, working out a new trip.
I actually think that Chapman went a bit far with some of his routes, although I have benefitted from this.

Roger

[corvus]

From what I remember of those routes they weren't particularly sensitive. However, people who've not been there before should be aware that the routes may be difficult to follow in some areas if they do not have good navigation skills. Not as bad as some other areas though.

Nik,
Not really sensitive but not really marked (unless you know where to start) and they wont be maintained so how do we define them
corvus

[rwfox]

Can we talk about page 128: Junction Lake to Hartnett falls. (6km 4.5hr ?) Map page 125. If not Please email me

It suggests that Clarke Falls is worth a visit. Is there a track marker at this point? to indicate route. They look like they are on a small side creek? Somewhere of the descending track through the thick scrub.

Which side of the Mersey river do you guys prefer. It suggest the North Bank. But, a route may have been marked on the South bank?

Best spot to cross the Mersey above McCoy Falls? Is the log still there? Also taking in to account my better half is not keen on slippery logs without hand lines? unless seated.

[corvus]

G'day rwfox,
Yes Clark Falls are worth the effort no track marker but not difficult to find and they are on the Mersey.
North bank till you cross I suggest.
Big Log has gone .
You will find another log crossing a bit upstream which has been there for many years and we have used a couple of times. (we may have GPS co- ords?? ) the South bank here has a large clearing so it is comparatively easy to pick it up.
Navigation whilst not really difficult can be frustrating with fallen Trees obliterating the pad so I would allow at least a full day six to seven hours to get to the Overland Track and about an hour to Du Cane Hut .
corvus

[rwfox]

Hi Corvus
Is the track like the Sodden Loddons Teatree and mud?
Is the river suitable to wade through i.e. shingle banks?
And you think we should allow 6 hours for 6klm that suggest a long day.

[corvus]

G'day rwfox.
No not like the Sodden Loddons but it does have its moments most of which will be weather dependent you could be knee deep in water in some parts.
River mostly has "cut banks" but the crossing we have used is relativly easy
For a good part of the pad on the South Bank you will be ducking and dodging all sorts of Scrubby flora and will lose time trying to find the pad again so six hours is a good rule of thumb if you do it quicker that is a bonus
corvus

[tastrekker]

In the spirit of the track being marked/mentioned in Chapman...

When I'm locating the Kia Ora to Lees track from the Overland Track, there's a subtle feature in the contours you can look out for. If you have a 1:25,000 map, look at the shape formed by the 850m contour at a point 500m east of Kia Ora Hut. It loops around and alomst doubles back on itself. There is a shallow gully sloping to the north-west and another shallow gully sloping to the south-east. With a careful eye these gullies can be spotted from the track. The track leaves the OT at the saddle between these gullies where the 850m contour almost meets itself. From there the track follows the unnamed creek down between some cliffs before swinging north to cross Kia Ora Creek. Coming from the south along the Overland Track, if you get to the major turn in the track as it heads around towards Kia Ora Hut you've gone too far.

Another alternative is to simply follow Kia Ora Creek downstream from Kia Ora Falls (the big ones, not the little ones up near the OT). Below the falls the northern side of the valley is very steep. When you get to a point where the steep side of the valley swings away from the creek you are at the point where the track crosses the creek so it's time to look at for the blazed trees.

[rwfox]

Thanks Tas-Trekker
At the moment Corvus has suggested we use the Moses Creek track and we will most likely go a round Via Pelion Hut and then back to Less from Arm River track.
However, its good to know if required it can save us a day or two of walking.
Looking at the weather we may Start on Saturday 3rd Dec'

[walkinTas]

This circuit has lots to offer, and is a fantastic three to four day walk. How long it takes depends on what you want from the walk and what interests you and how long you linger at each attraction. Your plan is very doable.

There are heaps of waterfalls in this area, all spectacular and all worth visiting. Starting from the end of Mersey Forest Rd you can head up the Moses Crk. track to Grail falls on the southern end of Chapter Lake. If you are use to off track walking, then up the valley to the west of the Moses Crk trk there are two waterfalls (Horeb and Meribah falls) and a number of cascades to visit - as detailed by tastrekker's post on his old blog - unfortunately I can find the forum topic or a report on his new blog.

Corvus and the Strollers have walked the Mersey Circuit. This is the trip up the Moses Creek Track to Junction Lake and Clarke falls, the Never-Never past Feather falls and McCoy falls, to Hartnet Falls, along the overland track past Ferguson, D’Alton, Boulder and Cathedral falls and then down into Lees via Kiaora falls and Ladder falls, back to the Mersey Forest Rd past Oxley and Lewis falls. I've also done this trip along the wild mersey and placed some pictures in the gallery here. With 15 major falls and a few smaller one, I reckon this is a must do trip.

One tip, if you do go looking for Ladder falls, the Ladder Creek is not hard to find where it crosses Lee's paddock, and the bottom cascades and smaller falls are on the edge of the paddock. There are about six small falls in this cascade. To see the real Ladder falls you need to climb above the cascade and walk upstream about 100-150 meters. According to my gps Ladder falls are 89m tall, but I doubt that is accurate. Still, if there is plenty of water in the lower small falls, then the climb is worth while.

Here is a Google Earth view of it all.