Camping within Walls of Jerusalem

[Wherever I may roam]

Hi All - first time blogger long time reader.

I'm planning on visiting the Walls of Jerusalem (WOJ) during November this year and have started researching the park. At this stage, the draft plan is to undertake the circuit from Wild Dog Creek - Dixons Kingdom - Lake Adelaide (Northern end) - back to car park. I will allow 6 days in all.

I note that the 'Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania' state on their web page "The inner Walls region (the area between Herods Gate and Damascus Gate, including the Pools of Siloam and Bethesda) is easily impacted, and with mainly internal drainage it is subject to faecal contamination. Camping within this area of the park is discouraged for environmental reasons." In addition they request not to camp near the pines.

During my research I have read many blogs which have been very helpful, however I note that many of the bloggers who have their own websites with a vast index of their pursuits with photos, have specifically camped in the areas that the Parks and Wildlife Service have specifically tried to discourage. In addition there are photos of tents being pitched directly under the pines when the photo shows level grassy areas away from the pines.

Although I intend to talk to Parks and Wildlife before departing to ensure I camp where I should, I am curious as to whether fellow walkers find this kind of behaviour (to ignore Parks & Wildlife request) acceptable? What I find most puzzling is that these bloggers who clearly have extensive experience bushwalking in Tasmania appear to be the offenders?

To be honest I would love to camp in a non defined area. So when I am walking through WOJ later this year and I see a great spot between Herods Gate and Damascus Gate, or beneath a nice stand of pines, am I right to camp where I want if I believe myself to be responsible and tread lightly? Interested in opinions.

[Lophophaps]

Good questions. I've been going to the Walls for over 30 years, and it is a bit sad to see favourite camp sites within the Walls proper now off limits. But I fully accept the NPWS reasoning; if the Walls are going to be preserved then changes are needed. Part of the problem is increased numbers of private and commercial walkers placing pressure on finite resources. PWS have a management plan detailing this.

If you wish to camp in a place that NPWS says not to that is entirely up to you. Note that ground water is often very close to the surface, and toileting can too easily pollute the water.

The two main places where people congregate are Wild Dog Creek and Dixons. I've never liked the WDC campsite, mainly because I prefer a more remote experience. Also, WDC is not especially well placed for side trips. Dixons does have crowds at times, but maybe less than WDC as it is further in. There are many places away from WDC and Dixons where you can camp. The country is generally open and a single tent can be parked pretty well anywhere. On trips south of the Walls I just draw a line on a map and stop when I reach a nice spot, which may be before, at or after the campsite I had in mind.

The walk you have described is three moderate days, with three days for side trips and waiting out bad weather. In November you may get snow; I've had snow at Christmas, rather brisk in runners.

I have some track notes and pics. If interested, please send me a PM.

[Scottyk]

You can still see the degraded sites within the Walls area from over use and continued use. It really is a very special little valley and I think camping should be off limits in this area and I would be very critical of anyone deciding they were an exception.
You can camp in under the pines at Dixon's and you have a toilet there as well. It's a really nice spot and perfect place to base yourself to explore the peaks.

[Azza]

During my research I have read many blogs which have been very helpful, however I note that many of the bloggers who have their own websites with a vast index of their pursuits with photos, have specifically camped in the areas that the Parks and Wildlife Service have specifically tried to discourage. In addition there are photos of tents being pitched directly under the pines when the photo shows level grassy areas away from the pines.

Although I intend to talk to Parks and Wildlife before departing to ensure I camp where I should, I am curious as to whether fellow walkers find this kind of behaviour (to ignore Parks & Wildlife request) acceptable? What I find most puzzling is that these bloggers who clearly have extensive experience bushwalking in Tasmania appear to be the offenders?

The area your requested not to camp in is about 30 minutes walk between Herods Gate and Damascus Gate. I don;'t think there is a real good excuse for ignoring parks' request.
I've seen huge groups of 30+ day trippers up there stomping around all over the place, combined with people in general doing the wrong thing is just trashing the place.

Bloggers who clearly have extensive experience? They'd like you to think that but I'm not so sure, the Walls isn't exactly hardcore in terms of Tasmanian walking..

So when I am walking through WOJ later this year and I see a great spot between Herods Gate and Damascus Gate, or beneath a nice stand of pines, am I right to camp where I want if I believe myself to be responsible and tread lightly? Interested in opinions.

Yes.. But just not between Herods Gate and Damascus Gate. There are some nice spots outside the central walls area.
Stick to established camp sites or go off the beaten track and minimise your impact.

[DaveNoble]

I last visited the Walls in January 2014. Just before my trip - I checked online and found that camping was still permitted then within the valley with one or two exceptions. The exceptions were an area just under the West Wall, south of Lake Salome - that was clearly signposted with "No Camping" signs. I thought the other exception was close to the Pool of Siloam, but when I visited that lake the "No Camping" signs had been taken down, and I did notice a tent very close to the pool. But the old signs may have fallen down or been removed by vandals?

There were several parties camped at the Pool of Bethesda, and as far as I can see, this is still allowed. I personally would not camp in that location as I think it is too fragile.

If you do camp in the main valley, then I would strongly urge you to do your toileting outside the valley (this is not hard to do, as the valley is not that big)

As for not camping under the pencil pines - I think this may apply more to the forest near Dixons Kingdom, and the worry about fire (e.g. from a faulty fuel stove). People do camp under the pines - for shade and shelter during storms. A "hardened" campsite is planned for Dixons Kingdom. I wonder whether it will be close to the pine forest? That particular stand of pencil pines is the largest remaining stand on the planet - pretty important!

It looks like a ban on camping within that central area is planned for the future looking at the various online plans of management. From what I can see, it may come in during 2016 according to the timeline for implementation.

Note that there is a big deference between a ban on camping and it being "discouraged".

I think in the late 70's trail bike riders used to roam around the central valley, and I remember seeing photos on broken beer bottles impaled on cushion plants. Thanks goodness those days are over.

Dave

[Wherever I may roam]

Thanks for sharing the information and opinions Lophophaps, ScottyK, Azza, and DaveNoble.

It's clear I won't be camping within the Central Walls area but I am optimistic that I can still experience a sense of remote camping further beyond the Central Walls, so thanks for the comments.

DaveNoble - Assuming you are the owner of the blog of the same name, your page is one of my sources of info so thanks for sharing and the photos are brilliant.

Now I just have to wait patiently until November.
Cheers.

[whynotwalk]

That's all pretty good advice you've been give Wimr - and good to see the sensitivity with which you're planning the trip.

Devastated pine forest, Great Pine Tier

By way of further background on the sensitivity of pencil pines, see the attached photo of a stand burned in the 1960s. Huge stands of pines were devastated by deliberately-lit fires at the time, and before and after. There's more info in my blog here http://www.naturescribe.com/2010/01/walking-with-ada-2-great-pine-tears.html It might explain why we are - or should be - very concerned about fire, trampling, or any other threat to this magnificent species.

cheers

Peter

[DaveNoble]

I think in the late 70's trail bike riders used to roam around the central valley, and I remember seeing photos on broken beer bottles impaled on cushion plants. Thanks goodness those days are over.

Dave

When I actually checked my source for this (Wilderness Society Journal, No 7, 1977) - I found the damage was not in the central area - but at Lake Fanny.

Dave

[whynotwalk]

I found the damage was not in the central area - but at Lake Fanny.

That makes sense Dave - there's a discernible vehicular track from near Lake Ada out to Lake Fanny via Christys Lagoon. On the trip I mentioned, we walked out from Great Pine Tier via Lk Fanny.

cheers

Peter

[philm]

I have walked the Walls several times and have camped at Dixon's whilst a number of other people I spoke to camped near the West Wall.

PWS have put in a toilet at Dixon's which we used and this certainly helps to reduce your impact.

I am not too much of a fan of Wild Dog Creek camp - if it is warm weather then it is exposed to the sun and hot, but you do get running water (piped in!) and a toilet. I prefer other areas such as near Lake Ball and Dixons.

It's a magic area and needs to be preserved and there are some wise and good advice contained so far.

If you have 6 days you could extend your walk as follows

Day 1 Walk to Dixon's Kingdom
Day 2 Camp at Dixon's and explore surrounding area - Solomon's Throne, Mt Jerusalem, Temple etc.
Day 3 Walk to Lake Ball or Adelaide
Day 4 Walk to Lake Meston - about 4 hours - camp at northern end - magic spot
Day 5 Walk out via Lake Myrtle track back to Mersey Forest Road camping at Lake Myrtle over night - possibly summit Mt Ragoona
Day 6 Lake Myrtle to Mersey Forest Road.

The days will not be long and you will be able to set up camp and explore the area or relax and have a swim!

All of the above is on tracks the only slightly difficulty part where the track can be patchy is from Lake Myrtle to Mersey Forest Road in certain sections - however if it will be difficult to get lost!

The weather in the Walls can change quickly so you will need to be prepared for snow, rain or hot weather - this is part of the beauty of the place.

Good luck