Lake Rhona advice?

[Son of a Beach]

I've been trying to get to Lake Rhona for years, but every time I plan a trip, it gets cancelled for one reason or another (eg, ankle ligaments torn off the bone 2 weeks beforehand).

Anyhow, I'd like to do the walk starting from the forestry road to the East of Gordonvale rather than taking Tims Track all the way from the Gordon River Road. People that have done the same a long time ago tell me that it was necessary to borrow a key from the Forestry people in case the gate(s) on the forestry roads were locked.

If anyone has done this recently, is it still necessary to borrow a key? If so, who do I have to talk to about the key?

Any other general tips for walking to Lake Rhona?

[bushwalkinGeeks]

When are you going?
Are you going there and back in one day or camping?
Do you want some company?

Last edited by bushwalkinGeeks on Fri 10 Aug, 2007 11:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Son of a Beach]

I don't have any specific plans as yet. I've found some notes that suggest 12-13 hours is required (28 km), so I was thinking of taking maybe 3 days so as to have 2 days walking (1 in and 1 out) and 1 full day at the lake and surrounding mountains (without carrying a pack around).

I've been trying to get up there for years, but every time I plan a trip, it gets cancelled (for various reasons). But yes, I'd be grateful for company! Have you been there before?

Other information I have from the notes I found follows (there appears to be no copyright information in the document, so should be OK to post it here):

Starting Point:
Mother-in-Laws Road, Grid Ref: 510810. This location is
located 24 km north west of Maydena and is reached via
Florentine Valley, Tiger and Range Roads

Description of the Walk:
This is a fairly advanced walk and recommended for
experienced walkers only. Good navigation skills are
required to cross button grass plains and locate the ford on
the Gordon River at Grid Pt. 486810. The ford is reasonably
shallow but do not attempt to cross in times of flood. On the
other side of the river you will pick up the Vale of Rasselas
Track and good progress will be made to Gordonvale which
is the usual lunch stop (watch out for stinging nettles). Two
hours north of Gordonvale the track starts to climb steeply
into the Denison Range. The climb of 300m height will take
approximately 1-1.5 hours. Watch out for the branch in the
track on the right which takes you down to Lake Rhona
otherwise you will climb to high.
It is well worth spending an extra day in the Denison Range
and climb Bonds Craig, Redds Peak and Great Dome.

[bushwalkinGeeks]

This is the walk you are talking about ??
http://www.touringtasmania.info/images/2007_MARCH/LAKE-RHONA-TRACK-01-A4.jpg

[Son of a Beach]

yep, that's the one. Nice general map. I saw pictures of Lake Rhona about 15 years ago, and have been meaning to visit there ever since. Just haven't made it happen yet.

[chapman]

Lake Rhona is one days walk from the car park in the Tiger Range. Some will like to break it into 2 days by camping at the sheltered site of the old Gordonvale Homestead. if you start late which will be normal if you drive in from Hobart, a stop at Gordonvale would be suggested - the campsite at the foot of the climbing ridge is exposed and not as attractive. On the return you should have no trouble doing it in one day as you will know the route and also its mainly downhill.

[norts]

Just be aware that the Gordon River comes up very quickly. I spent 6 days on the wrong side and eventually had to be ferried across by canoe. I will never knock the Tassie police. Was only meant to be a 3 day walk.

norts

[tasadam]

Having just seen a pic in the March photo comp, I got inspired to look further into this, like where the heck is it... And googling brought be back to this thread.
Funny, that.
So I have just sent an email to my wife (that's not how we communicate she's at work...)

http://www.touringtasmania.info/lake_rhona.htm

Nestled in the Denison Range beneath Reeds Peak is the very pretty and very remote Lake Rhona with it's unique pale pink sandy beach. A photographers paradise. The view from Reeds Peak includes Lake Gordon, Mt Field, Wyld's Craig, Mt Anne, Frenchman's Cap, Mt Rufus, Mt Olympus, Mt Ossa, Mt Pelion West and The Walls of Jerusalem.

I can see ourselves also doing a 3 day walk there sometime.

[Son of a Beach]

yeah, after seeing photos years ago, I've been wanting to get there ever since, but have never managed it. With the demise of Lake Pedder (and arguably even before then) it is one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen pictures of. The pictures in the snow are awesome too. Gotta get there sometime soon.

Maybe next summer. *sigh*

[Azza]

Hi,

I've been into Lake Rhona twice via the Tiger Range, last time was in early Feb this year. No key is required, finding the start of the track is relatively easy even considering the maze of roads. Once you get down towards the end you realise that every other road is pretty much getting overgrown.
If it hasn't rain much then the Gordon River is usually only ankle deep over summer. If the water is well below the top of the bank then you'll be fine.
It actually looks deeper than it is when the sun isn't shining, if unsure I'd recommend testing it with a stick you'll probably get a suprise when you realise how shallow it is.

Gordon Vale is probably about 45minutes to 1hr walk north from the Gordon Crossing.
I think it takes about 5-6 hr total from the car park to get into Lake Rhona, and its not a particularly taxing walk.
There is section just before you reach the start of the climb up to Lake Rhona (30-45min?) where you cross a creek, there is an old pad which leads to the left up onto the start of the range, it gets overgrown really quickly and a lot of people seems to end up going that way by mistake and then stomping around in the forest wondering what is going on. It happened to me first time and on the last trip several parties went up there and I had to call out to them. The track stays out on the button grass pretty much the whole way then climbs up an open ridge to the lake. Unfortunately the camp site at the lake is getting over used and the toilet situation is getting really bad. Parks really need to put a toilet up there.

Hope that helps

Cheers

Aaron

Anyone know how many K's this hike is?

[Marky]

From Timbs track Rhona is 28k's
I think from Richea creek it is around 17 or 18 to lake Rhona

Thanks Marky

[Mountain Rocket]

Hey guys, bumping an old topic here but I was kinda hoping to be able to do this walk tomorrow as an overnighter.
Which map would I need and is there anyone that could help me out with a scan of the relevant section?

I think I might be cutting it a bit fine with timing if I have to wait for the map shop to open in town tomorrow before driving out there. :/

Edit: Obviously any advice would be appreciated

[frenchy_84]

suppose i should write PM Sent...

[stepbystep]

suppose i should write PM Sent...

lol, I would never write that Frenchy

[Mountain Rocket]

You guys are fantastic! Many thanks. Going to hit the sack now for an early start tomorrow. You will hopefully hear from me on Tuesday.

[ryantmalone]

Have fun! I have been wanting to walk the Dennison Range for some time now, would love to see some pics when you get back.

[stepbystep]

Have fun! I have been wanting to walk the Dennison Range for some time now, would love to see some pics when you get back.

A single night won't give Robert much of a taste of the Denison Range. Here's some words and pictures from a 4 night trip to the area viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5320&hilit=Denison+Stepped

[Mountain Rocket]

Have fun!

Trip report is here for those of you mildly interested: viewtopic.php?f=42&t=11758&p=155739

[lschmal]

Hello

Just wanted to hear from anyone who has been up there recently, confirming you can still drive all the way up florentine/tiger/range roads without a Forestry key?

Thanks for any help!

[Binder]

No problem, no locked gates up there anymore.

Cheers

[lschmal]

Awesome - Weekend mission it is!