by stepbystep » Mon 09 Sep, 2013 3:51 pm
I walked this track a week ago. My thoughts.
It is a better route that provides some different views. It makes the walking far easier than the old route and makes it perhaps half an hour quicker for a normal paced walker.
The track construction quality however is poor in my opinion. I'm not sure who has been doing the work but compared to the high standard of construction of the work being done on the Tasman Peninsular this track doesn't stack up at all. That said, it's obviously not finished in places and there is still plenty to be done, time will tell.
What I observed was sections of the track susceptible to erosion are very narrow and will deteriorate over time. It was hard to tell what was finished and what was not in some areas, perhaps a 'settling in' period is needed. There was a huge amount of treefall across the track also. At a guestimate 50-60 trees across the track. When the crews return they will have their hands full just clearing the track let alone doing any new work. There were a number of places where the trackwork itself had obviously destabilised the trees and caused the destruction. Perhaps normal for a new track?
Given the funding will continue to flow over time perhaps it's to early to make a call. Hopefully DS is getting value for his money.
The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders ~ Edward Abbey
Had a look at the lumps south of Scotts Peak Dam and my eyes hurt just thinking about it. Got to go there, though....
