Walls of Jerusalem

[Captain Cool]

Hi,

Just after some info about how easy/hard the tracks are to navigate in and around the WOJ and whether a GPS is a necessary addition to the kit? Is JC's guide book a necessity to understand all the relavant tracks in the area or are there other resources I can tap into? Parks website seems very scarce on details.

I'm looking at spending 4-6 days in the area, coming in along Mersey Forest Rd and leaving the car there - hoping to get a spot of fishing in too, heard that Lake Meston holds rainbows so really keen to make it out there for a night or two.

Any suggestions for a trip itinerary, walking times, nice places to camp etc...?

Thanks

[ryantmalone]

Hi,

Just after some info about how easy/hard the tracks are to navigate in and around the WOJ and whether a GPS is a necessary addition to the kit? Is JC's guide book a necessity to understand all the relavant tracks in the area or are there other resources I can tap into? Parks website seems very scarce on details.

Last time I was there, the tracks were extremely easy to follow. Completely fool proof.

That said, I haven't spent that much time there (am planning another visit in Feb, maybe March?), so its hard to comment on all of the side trips.

I'd say, if you're not sure, bring it. This is Tassie afterall.

[Hallu]

Well the TASMAP Walls of Jerusalem is a must if you don't have it already, although it doesn't cover the areas west of the park, such as Lake Myrtle, which I found pretty stupid. For this, you either need the 25,000 map "Cathedral" or the Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clair 100,000 (both TASMAP as well).

[sthughes]

All the main tracks in the Walls are very easy to follow. It's more a matter of if you leave the track (deliberately or not) and can't find it again. I'd take a GPS, but then I don't leave home without one these days.

Unfortunately the Walls spans a bunch of 1:25,000 maps, I'd get them too. Luckily they are all fairly recently updated in that area.

[tassie walker]

Navigation is very easy in the Walls. We were there in December and then went from Dixon's Kingdom to Lake Ball then Lake Meston and Junction Lake. Once you get to Dixon's Kingdom there is no track to Lake Ball but just follow the valley down - bits of scrub here and there and the pad is a bit hard to follow at times but all in all you shouldn't have any trouble. There is a good track along Lake Ball and a good camp about half way along It's off the track but near the hut - just go the the edge of the lake here and go to your left. There was a fisherman at Lake Ball but we didn't get to speak to him to see if he was catching anything. The track to Lake Meston is easy to follow and another excellent campsite at the top end. Also good camps on Lake Adelaide. About half way along Lake Meston you can turn off and go back the road via Lake Myrtle( and Mt Ragoona as a side trip). It is then about 6km back to the car park along the road. We continued on to Lake Junction. Bit tedious and hard to follow any pad in the grassland but put a marker in the GPS and you can't go too wrong. There were fish jumping in Junction Lake - lots of them. We didn't try to catch any fish this time but have caught good fish there before. The campsite on the Lake is excellent.

Enjoy your trip and good luck with the fishing.

[tassie walker]

I should have added that it took one day to Lake Ball from the Walls car park, then another day to Junction Lake. We didn't stop in the Walls this time. About an 8 hr day each day.

[alanoutgear]

+1s with the previous comments. I reckon the walk up to the Walls from the carpark is boring, and that Wild Dog Creek should only be used as a campsite if you have no other choice. It's a bit of a treated pine pit in my view.

A good walk in to the Walls is from Lakes Ada or Augusta to the east (you can get transport into there from Launceston), then either down to Lake Antimony and up the Bernes valley to Lake Ball, or straight ahead at the turn off to Lake Antimony and camp at Lake Fanny before a short walk the next day to the Walls via the Vale of Hinom. You can then go down past Wild Dog Creek to the carpark for your way out.

The major tracks in the Walls are easy to follow, but off-track navigation is also easy with a good topo map and compass. Carry a PLB if you are going to head away from the well trodden routes, as you won't see many people away from the popular sites.

Make sure you see Peter Dombrovskis' Pencil pine at the Pool of Siloam, and the walk from Solomon's Throne to King David's peak is also good value (including for the rock track that has been built through the scree slope on the way up). I've also looked across at Clumner Bluff and ogled that area too, but haven't yet been there.

There is a foot pad from Lake Ball up to Dixon's Kingdom, but it does break up a bit in the bottom Pencil Pine forest. Just keep heading generally up through the trees and when you reach the clear ground at the eastern edge of the trees, multiple wallaby pads head through low bushes (don't know what they are), and will take you to DK. Keep the creek line to your south and you'll be right. There are a couple of unsightly toilet buildings at DK which take away from the pleasure of the place a bit. I've known them both to be full which is gross.

There are good campsites at the old Lake Ball hut too, and that provides even more walk options.

[Stibb]

...Wild Dog Creek should only be used as a campsite if you have no other choice. It's a bit of a treated pine pit in my view.

I'm also planning a trip here and want to avoid the huts/campsites if possible. From various pictures and Google Earth it looks like the Solomons Jewels area has potential for great camping but I've never seen anyone mention this or actually seen any pictures. Is there a good reason for this ie is it not suitable or is it sensitive? We' will likely come in late and are super s.l.o.w. and wont make it much further so if anyone has any info about this I would appreciate it (pm if it sensitive)

[stepbystep]

You could find spots there but everywhere else in the Walls is better

[ILUVSWTAS]

You could find spots there but everywhere else in the Walls is better

True, except Wild dog of course.....

[stepbystep]

You could find spots there but everywhere else in the Walls is better

True, except Wild dog of course.....

lol yes indeed.

[Stibb]

You could find spots there but everywhere else in the Walls is better

I'm sure but it's just gonna be too far for us on day 1 We'll get there later!

[Nuts]

You'd be better off camping back around the jewels than 'in' the walls. Most people would head in further (to wdc) so i don't think camping would be that sensitive? Lots of campsites near the track.

[Nuts]

[corvus]

You could head to Tiger Lake with excellent camping (check out solitary mans hut if you have time) you then head down to Wild Dog Creek and turn upstream (no real need to cross there) this will take you to WDC campsite which is not all bad (I spent an interesting night under the table at the group campsite in a Bivvy bag when my knee blew out and I could not complete the walk up to Dixons via Golden Gate and Zion Vale because the Tents went up there ) plenty of good camping spots at Dixons very scrubby around Solomans Jewels and big fish jumping in both Meston and Junction
corvus

[Nuts]

(I spent an interesting night under the table at the group campsite in a Bivvy bag when my knee blew out and I could not complete the walk up to Dixons via Golden Gate and Zion Vale because the Tents went up there ) corvus

Yeah, see, we didn't need to worry that you were lost

[Tortoise]

You could head to Tiger Lake with excellent camping (check out solitary mans hut if you have time) corvus

Or as time is an issue, just camp at the southern end of George Howes Lake - lovely spot, though perhaps exposed in wild weather.

[corvus]

(I spent an interesting night under the table at the group campsite in a Bivvy bag when my knee blew out and I could not complete the walk up to Dixons via Golden Gate and Zion Vale because the Tents went up there ) corvus

Yeah, see, we didn't need to worry that you were lost

Sorry Nuts I knew exactly where I was heading for and not lost (must add my big mate and fellow Scout pomisi did not let me go on my own) and from memory we enjoyed a convivial couple of wines and remember he said are you really heading into bed now with the temp dropping.
Good fun except for this knee and I am really looking forward to getting out there again.
corvus

[Stibb]

Tiger Lake/George Howe seems like good options too. Is there a pad there or is it just a matter of following the creeks around back to Herods gate?

[Captain Cool]

Thanks for all the info guys, so here's what i'm thinking so far - if anyone has some input about approx walking times that would be much appreciated (we usually go at a relatively quick pace, but like to stop off here and there to explore and climb a peak or two):

Day 1 - Leave car at the carpark off mersey forest road and make our way to DKH - would like to climb one or two of the peaks this day, any suggestions?

Day 2 - DKH to lake meston via jaffa vale, lake ball and lake adelaide. Would like to climb mt jerusalem in the AM

Day 3 - Lake meston - junction lake, possibly climb mt rogoona along the way (if it's possible, can't spot any tracks heading up the mountain??)

Day 4 - junction lake - carpark via lake bill then mersey forest road

Then we have a few spare days to check out frenchmans cap!

[Nuts]

Sounds ok, lots of walking there, fishing time??

Tiger Lake/George Howe seems like good options too. Is there a pad there or is it just a matter of following the creeks around back to Herods gate?

Straight past trappers hut a pad follows the valley up past GH Lake (and swings south eventually around to DK hut). On the ridge immediately west of the lakes (following braided pads) is a well beaten campsite (west of tiger lake not far south of the hut):

Screen Shot 2013-01-25 at 1.42.17 PM.png (517.32 KiB) Viewed 7256 times

[whynotwalk]

Mt Rogoona from Lake Myrtle campsite

Hi Cap'n - I've put my responses in red alongside your queries below.

One overall comment - despite the bagging that Wild Dog Creek campsite has been getting here, it remains a lovely spot, and a good choice for (a) those not venturing much beyond the Central Walls, and (b) those getting in a little later than they planned. Apart from anything else, it also helps the Central Walls cop less of a hammering from walkers. And that's a good thing for everyone.

Thanks for all the info guys, so here's what i'm thinking so far - if anyone has some input about approx walking times that would be much appreciated (we usually go at a relatively quick pace, but like to stop off here and there to explore and climb a peak or two):

Day 1 - Leave car at the carpark off mersey forest road and make our way to DKH 3.5-5 hours- would like to climb one or two of the peaks this day, any suggestions? Solomons Throne is a must, as long as views are likely. And it has some great trackwork, if that's your thing.

Day 2 - DKH to lake meston via jaffa vale, lake ball and lake adelaide. Would like to climb mt jerusalem in the AM 6-8 hours, esp. if you do Jerusalem. I would camp at the northern end of Meston. It's a superb lakeside camp, and much brighter than the functional but gloomy Meston Hut (which is not close to the lake).

Day 3 - Lake meston - junction lake, possibly climb mt rogoona along the way (if it's possible, can't spot any tracks heading up the mountain??) Personally I'd consider going Meston Hut to Lake Myrtle, and climbing Rogoona on the way. Junction Lake is pleasant, but nowhere near as picturesque as Myrtle, with the bulk of Rogoona looming over it. (But I can't vouch for the fishing at Lk Myrtle ) There's no track up Rogoona. You just reach a high point in the saddle on the Meston-Myrtle track, and make a bee line for the summit. There are a few ups and downs - mostly ups - but the summit is worth every bit of effort.


Day 4 - junction lake - carpark via lake bill then mersey forest road

Then we have a few spare days to check out frenchmans cap!

I've attached a pic of Myrtle and Rogoona, just to tempt you!

cheers

Peter

[Hallu]

Quick question about the Walls : I'm going there tomorrow, but I don't think I'll be in any shape to do Mt Jerusalem as a day walk. So for 6-8 hours of walking, if you had to choose, is it better to do Solomon's Throne, Lakes Bill & Myrtle, or Lees Hut ? Thanks.

[corvus]

Quick question about the Walls : I'm going there tomorrow, but I don't think I'll be in any shape to do Mt Jerusalem as a day walk. So for 6-8 hours of walking, if you had to choose, is it better to do Solomon's Throne, Lakes Bill & Myrtle, or Lees Hut ? Thanks.

I think you mean Dixons Hut.
corvus

[Hallu]

Nope, I mean the Lees Paddocks area. It's the same access road, although it's not exactly in the WOJ national park.

[taswegian]

Personally I'd chose walk into The Walls and Solomons Throne.
Maybe a bit frustrating sitting under mountains at end of your your walk (point of return) than sitting on high place and looking down on things.
Any walk in those areas will be rewarded.

[corvus]

Nope, I mean the Lees Paddocks area. It's the same access road, although it's not exactly in the WOJ national park.

Sorry for my wrong pick up Lees Paddocks(hut) and the walk into them would be one my most favorite destination , the recent rain should see the waterfalls cranking
corvus

[wildwalks]

HI all. I am planning a trip into WOJ from the southern end of Lake Rowallen at the end of April
The plan is a fairly lazy 5ish days. Just two of us. One wants to fish and the other photograph.
So thinking of walking via lake Bill to lake Meston - maybe do a circuit back via Chapter Lake
Been looking at huts and lakes in the area - but want to hear what people recommend as good places to stay/fish etc
I am thinking of taking my hammock - would this work OK in these forests???
What huts are worth visiting and avoiding??
Any suggestions on side trips and places to visit?? (PM me any cool secret spots

I have only walked the northern end of the park - so looking forward to this new adventure

Thanks

Matt

[whynotwalk]

So thinking of walking via lake Bill to lake Meston - maybe do a circuit back via Chapter Lake
Been looking at huts and lakes in the area - but want to hear what people recommend as good places to stay/fish etc
I am thinking of taking my hammock - would this work OK in these forests???
What huts are worth visiting and avoiding??
Any suggestions on side trips and places to visit??

Hi Matt - that sounds like a good plan. I'll leave it to the anglers to fix you up with suitable fishy advice. But as for huts, you've really only got Lake Meston and Junction Lake Huts. (Both Dixons and Lake Ball Huts are out of your way. And the former is only for emergency shelter; the latter is not that inviting anyway.) Meston Hut is neat enough, but it's in a forest, not close to the water, and has no lake views. I'd far prefer camping at the northern end of the lake. Even if it's a little off your route, it is a gem of a site, with grandstand views and a beach, of sorts. And I'd be surprised if there aren't fish. Junction Lake Hut is small but very cosy, handy to water, and full of character. And it gives you good access to your exit walk via Chapter/Chalice etc.

As for side trips, on the way from Lk Myrtle to Lk Meston, if the weather is clear Mt Rogoona is a must. It offers great views over its sharp edge back down to Lk Myrtle, and across to the Overland Track area and beyond. If your weather is right towards the end of your trip, I'd be tempted to camp near Chalice Lake and explore the Cathedral Plateau. At its edge you overlook the Mersey valley and get views from the Du Canes through to Ossa and beyond.

Here's what I'm suggesting, (with hammock possibilities in brackets): Day 1 - walk in to Lk Myrtle (limited hammock potential, but probably some spots not far from the usual campsite). Day 2 - walk to Lk Meston via Mt Rogoona (hammocks good near Meston Hut, possibly not so good at lakeside camp). Day 3 - Meston to Junction Lake Hut (may be okay for hammocks near the hut). Day 4 Junction to Chalice Lake (not good for hammocks near the lake, which has low veg. But plenty of forested options not far away on the plateau).

This itinerary means you move every day, but the distances are mostly small, giving you plenty of fishing/photography time. Have fun - and don't forget to post a report and piccies

cheers

Peter

PS - you'll be there in time for the colouring of the fagus. You will certainly see some around Meston, and from memory also on the Cathedral Plateau.

[Greenie]

Good Matt, I look forward to seeing walks for the Walls on www.wildwalks.com