Ben Lomond

[bushbasherbrad]

Hi, I was wondering if there are any overnight walks up on ben lomond?

Cheers.

[Graham51]

It's so open on the plateau you could easily make your own walk up. I haven't done it but it would be a good walk starting at the ski village, walking to the lakes on the south-east side of the plateau, across to Staacks and back via Mensa Moor. One or two nights I reckon.
However there are others on the forum who do loots of walking in that area who can give you better advice, I'm sure.

[Ent]

Hi

Agree that the wander across heading to Stacks Bluff is worth the effort. The views along the way are stunning. With some imagination there are plenty of potential campsites but it could be exposed. When we camped there it was one perfect night. Not many people up there outside snow season.

One or two sections can be scree or scrub and the track is rather vague in places but not much chance of getting lost, just that you might take a way a bit harder than ideal.

Cheers

[Chris]

Hi, I was wondering if there are any overnight walks up on ben lomond?

This question has been asked before.
http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=394&hilit=ben+lomond+overnight should give you some ideas.

[MichaelP]

Wait for a great snow season and do the trip across the plateau on cross country skis! Best way to see Ben Lomond and Stacks.

[Chris]

Had a fantastic walk on Ben Lomond about 10 days ago. Flora magnificent (despite very little scoparia). We couldn't understand why we were the only 2 of us at that end of the mountain on a pretty good day during school holidays.
Only covered Carr Villa to Legges Tor, as so much of interest just along the track, but itching to get back again.
Why is such a great day walk so neglected?

[vagrom]

There used to be a Tasmap Special for the whole of the Ben Lomond plateau. Andrew at the Tasmap forum said some time ago that thought was being given to it's reissueing.
Hard to know why it was ever pulled from the state Specials collection, unless the plateau is considered a bit sensitive and they want to discourage an onslaught.

Something of a secret still, to visitors to the state. It'd be a great place to encourage a safe and easier entry to high bushwalking for young, international visitors who don't have the time and money to get into the south-west. A great way to spread the load on the OLT. There's something like accomodation up there already. Daywalks out and back to all points of the plateau. Perhaps riskier than a Tarn Shelf tour but less so or on par with the walk out to Field West.

Last edited by vagrom on Wed 13 Mar, 2013 3:46 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Son of a Beach]

I have that map. Still haven't got around to actually using it though.

[ryantmalone]

Had a fantastic walk on Ben Lomond about 10 days ago. Flora magnificent (despite very little scoparia). We couldn't understand why we were the only 2 of us at that end of the mountain on a pretty good day during school holidays.
Only covered Carr Villa to Legges Tor, as so much of interest just along the track, but itching to get back again.
Why is such a great day walk so neglected?

I walked in the same area a few years back. Stunning area, and have been planning to spend a few nights up there ever since.

[Hallu]

Well Tasmania wouldn't be Tasmania if it wasn't full of amazing spots where you still can be alone on a school holiday =) Ben Lomond isn't very well known : if you look at this forum, we talk more about places like Mt Anne or Walls of Jerusalem, and those are still pretty obscure.

[doogs]

It is full of great little day walks. I reckon I have been up Stacks Bluff 6 or 7 times and never bumped into anyone. Been up the Sphinx Bluff end track a couple times and haven't met anyone. Even the northern end I have been up there for walks 3 or 4 times and once met a group of walkers once coming up from Carr Villa!!
I hope to get up to Lake Youl for the night soon just for a bit of peace and quiet

[Chris]

I have that map. Still haven't got around to actually using it though.

I actually had you in mind when I posted - wondered if you had made it yet

Yes, it's great to have the place to yourself, but still good to share a fantastic experience with strangers occasionally.

[tigercat]

Any information on car camping and cabin accomodation in the Ben Lomond area?

[north-north-west]

There's a well signposted camping area inside the NP, below the plateau. Nothing flash, but adequate.

[Chris]

Any information on car camping and cabin accomodation in the Ben Lomond area?

Car camping at Carr Villa (scout lodge) would probably be OK and very peaceful - doesn't seem to get much use outside the ski season. Heaps of room in the car-park. Well-kept long drop toilet there too.
http://www.tas.scouts.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53:carr-villa-lodge-ben-lomond&catid=40:north&Itemid=67

[stepbystep]

I just spent a night camped up near Legges Tor, very nice.

What absolutely shocked me though was the amount of crap up there, heaps of old scrap metal and broken glass, even a couple of broken stubbies.

I removed the stubbies but all the other rubbish should be cleaned up by PWS or the ski village or someone..!!

Attachments

scrap metal below a half finished shelter

someone's had some fun with some of it

[Nick S]

I should get up Ben lomond more in summer considering its only a 40 min drive to the ski field.. nice photos bar the post apocalyptic feel those metal sheets give it..
I have been all over legges tor but don't seem to remember that hut.. so many of them. I think one hut on top was for sale last I was there.. imagine!

[ILUVSWTAS]

I removed the stubbies but all the other rubbish should be cleaned up by PWS

Way too far to expect them all to drive from St Clair!

[Mowser]

Did a good overnight walk on a weekend a couple of years ago. We got someone to give us a lift to the ski village from Launceston. We then went up Legges Torr before heading south east and hit the eastern edge of the plateau for views. Then spent the night mid way across the plateau camped in a nice spot between rocks and tarns. We then walked to Wilmot and Stacks bluff the next day via Lake Youl. Fantastic day. We then descended the track to Rossarden and had someone pick us up there. Could easily have spent another couple of nights up there doing the other bluffs etc. No tracks as such (apart from on the descent from stacks bluff to rossarden).

[Hallu]

I was just here today : completely fogged in, couldn't see a thing. There was about 10 m visibility. The vegetation is beautiful, but you really need good weather to fully appreciate it.

[Chris]

The vegetation is beautiful, but you really need good weather to fully appreciate it.

Indeed. 10 days ago it started off OK but then the wind just about blew us off the mountain and the clouds descended. Still worth being there though. Some examples from recent visits:

P2280067 BLcushionplant.jpg (474.06 KiB) Viewed 7876 times

P2280075 BL BmGentianGrass.jpg (294.61 KiB) Viewed 7876 times

P3060114 BL Bellendena montana.jpg (342.58 KiB) Viewed 7876 times

P3130170 BL Bm.jpg (314.46 KiB) Viewed 7876 times

CRW_1375 BLflora.jpg (184.17 KiB) Viewed 7875 times

[north-north-west]

I was just here today : completely fogged in, couldn't see a thing. There was about 10 m visibility. The vegetation is beautiful, but you really need good weather to fully appreciate it.

Monday and Tuesday were beautiful, however.