Pine River - Walls of Jerusalem

[DrHarry]

Long time viewer, first time poster!

Hi all,

I've stalked these pages quite a lot over the years, doing my internet reconnaisance for various adventures. Finally signed up!

I was wondering if anyone has any photos of the Pine River at its headwaters up in the Walls of Jerusalem? In particular, where it comes out of Lake Ball, but anywhere from up on top of the plateau.

Planning an adventure, but it's a long way to go up a big hill without doing some prior preparation!

Thanks in advance

Harry

[Graham51]

I have walked down the Pine River Valley from Lake Ball to Lake Antimony and back to Lake Ada probably half a dozen times. It's pretty easy going although what used to be a easy to follow track has become a bit unclear in places. Having said that it's still pretty easy walking' with camping places at all of the lakes - and fishing if you're interested in that. I have photos of some of the lakes on another computer which I can post but that will have to be later. If you want any more information just let me know.

[Lophophaps]

I too have pics elsewhere. The walking is fairly easy and open in most places. The crossing of PR where it comes out of Lake Ball is about thigh deep. I've crossed PR lower but cannot recall the details; I'll check my notes and pictures. I'm fairly certain that nobody drowned that trip.

[Graham51]

Some lake pictures from Pine River.

[DrHarry]

Gday guys

Thanks for your replies.

To be honest, I'm contemplating carrying whitewater kayaks in and paddling from Lake Ball all the way down!

They're not the nicest things to paddle so would preferably be paddling once we hit the water. Any indications on how wide the river is when it leaves Lake Ball? If it's thigh deep and flowing that's heap, or if it's at least 4 metres wide those would be good indications!

cheers

Harry

[Graham51]

From memory there's not a lot of water coming out of Lake Ball in the summer, especially if it's been dry, but then I wouldn't have been looking at it from that point of view.

[Mark_O]

Sorry Harry - can't comment on the upper upper Pine River but can say that I have seen the nearby Powena Creek immediately below Lake Fanny after significant rain. Certainly the immediate section I could see was paddle-able. Good luck with the Pine. I suspect once you get to Solvieg it will be fine if you have lots of rain.

[DrHarry]

Yep, it's a trip for when there's lots of rain, that's for sure. Definitely a big mission!

[Lophophaps]

To be honest, I'm contemplating carrying whitewater kayaks in and paddling from Lake Ball all the way down!

They're not the nicest things to paddle so would preferably be paddling once we hit the water. Any indications on how wide the river is when it leaves Lake Ball? If it's thigh deep and flowing that's heap, or if it's at least 4 metres wide those would be good indications!

The width and depth are as stated, but there are trees fallen in the water, bushes and overhanging branches. Until Pine River is a bit wider and deeper the word most used may well be "portage".

[johnrs]

Hi Harry
Not likely to have enough water there,
late summer can be just a trickle.
John

[DrHarry]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. It would definitely be a trip to do after lots of rain, so all the lakes are flowing well. A pity that no-one has a photo, I might have to actually go up there myself and check it out (without a kayak!)

cheers

[Strider]

Do it! If you're keen you could get to Lake Ball and back in a [long] day...

[Lophophaps]

Finally some pics of Lake Ball area. I was not entirely thinking of kayaking down Pine River, so the detail is missing. Sorry.

Pine River is in the foreground, not very wide at all.

From the south of Pine River at Lake Ball to the Walls

[Son of a Beach]

I haven't walked the full length of the river, but have walked from Silver Lake to Lake Solveig and back again. From what I remember of it, the river didn't have a lot of water and was quite shallow in places. There would be a lot of portaging involved, particularly where there river exited some of the lakes through rocks. I'm not sure how navigable it would be at all.

However, the only photo I've got of it actually makes it look pretty good...

Colin Fishing Pine River.jpg (45.31 KiB) Viewed 5269 times

I do remember that the Lake Ada end of that walk (about half hour?) was exceptionally dull and uninteresting compared to most of the walking I do.