Frankland Range

[andrewp]

Hi,
I'm looking for some information about the Frankland Range traverse.

I'm planning to come off the range via the Giblin Range at Mt John Brown:

• How long does it take to walk around the lake to the Huon River campground once we hit the shore?
• Are there any good campsites at the bottom when we reach the lake?
• Are there other camping sites while walking around the lake back to Scotts Peak Dam?

Is water really hard to find on the range?

Thanks.

[stepbystep]

How long does it take to walk around the lake to the Huon River campground once we hit the shore?
4-5 hrs maximum.
Are there any good campsites at the bottom when we reach the lake?
Wasn't paying particular attention, but you'll find somewhere, didn't look great.
Are there other camping sites while walking around the lake back to Scotts Peak Dam?
Wasn't paying particular attention, but you'll find somewhere nice.
Is water really hard to find on the range?
No, but if there's a prolonged dry spell cary water when you find it. Carry a yabby tube also.

It's a really great walk.

[andrewp]

Thanks SBS. All very reassuring information. I'm really looking forward to the walk.
Cheers.

[Azza]

4-5 hrs - depends how keen you are, we did had the going home tonight no matter what blinkers on.
Also depends what line you pick coming down Jim Brown.

I think there are various spots along the southern shoreline getting closer to Red Knoll where there is reasonable camping on the beach or back a bit.
Probably nicer than Huon Camp Grounds - depending on the weather.
Most of the button grass close to the western shoreline was boggy, or tea tree scrub, I don't remember it being particular appealing.
You'll definitely find something okay just depends on your definition of good.

[andrewp]

...we did had the going home tonight no matter what blinkers on.

Well we all get the smell of coffee on the last leg.

Also depends what line you pick coming down Jim Brown.

Yes it looks like the better camps would be further N, but that means a longer trudge around the shoreline.

You'll definitely find something okay just depends on your definition of good.

Flattish and reasonably dry. Not expecting it to be the best camp of the walk!

[pazzar]

Took me just on 6 hours to get around the shore, although I did that last 2 hours in darkness, which probably slowed me a little bit. I'm sure if you got off the shore a little bit, especially near one of the creeks, you would find a suitable camp. It is pretty boggy around the shore.

Water on the range is very dependent on conditions. I had to carry lots of water during the day. I had no water at Coronation Peak camp and at Right Angle Peak. I looked for water at Frankland Saddle too, but found the creek bed to be dry. You should find reliable water at Hatchet Valley, The Bowl, The Cupola, and Citadel Shelf.

[andrewp]

Thanks pazzar.
Read your trip report and the storm. One of our group worked out we were at Mt Massif Bowl the same day. The storm didn't hit us until the evening.
Cheers

[Azza]

Thanks pazzar.
Read your trip report and the storm. One of our group worked out we were at Mt Massif Bowl the same day. The storm didn't hit us until the evening.
Cheers

Worth mentioned pazzar wasn't the only one.
Different storm but we got hit by 100km/h winds which made a real mess of our tents, tearing fabric and could have ended up pretty bad as we're only half way along the range.
Take repair gear, tape, decent needle and thread. We had to stitch the tent back together a couple of times.
You might ask why we didn't camp somewhere more sheltered...?

Well there isn't.. most spots along the range are exposed, seemingly more so that other ranges in Tasmania.. even the spots that you think aren't too bad if it really blows there isn't anywhere to hide.
In our case the wind seemed to have the magical ability to swirl around one side of the ridge, and then blast us from the other side a moment later.

Made for some tense moments..

[stepbystep]

Tense moment number....several 'The Rainbow of Doom'. Moments later this tent was out of action and the fellow with the purple head was bunking in with me, in a one man tent

[icefest]

How long does it take to walk around the lake to the Huon River campground once we hit the shore?
Depends on how full the lake is (and how deep you are prepared to wade). I found the fastest is about 1m below the high water mark. Don't go through the scrub. It's slower.
Are there any good campsites at the bottom when we reach the lake?
Nothing stunning.
Are there other camping sites while walking around the lake back to Scotts Peak Dam?
The north facing beaches make for nice camps in good weather.

Park the car at red knoll or meet the old Port Davey track where it goes to the Huon Campground for an easier finish.

I walked the week after SBS and co and had no problems finding water the entire track, but will gladly share my GPS log if want it.

I love the name Hatchet Valley and Peak, I wonder if we can get it approved as a proper place name...

[pazzar]

And I think you were about 2 weeks before me Icefest. You were pretty lucky with weather, although I had a good run for 6 days.

And Azza is 100% right - a camp may appear sheltered, but once it starts blowing there is nowhere to hide.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[andrewp]

Thanks guys. Now I'm getting a bit worried...

[andrewp]

Tense moment number....several 'The Rainbow of Doom'. Moments later this tent was out of action and the fellow with the purple head was bunking in with me, in a one man tent

How do you think a Scarp would cope? With or without crossing poles?

[pazzar]

I'd take the crossing poles.

Don't be worried, just be prepared!

[stepbystep]

Tense moment number....several 'The Rainbow of Doom'. Moments later this tent was out of action and the fellow with the purple head was bunking in with me, in a one man tent

How do you think a Scarp would cope? With or without crossing poles?

Mine survives sans crossing poles, we had several very windy nights. It should be fine

[Azza]

Mine survives sans crossing poles, we had several very windy nights. It should be fine

Sewing your tent back together in the middle of a hurricane with completely numb fingers is character building

No where near as bad as watching your Scrap being blown off a cliff into Lake Pedder.

[icefest]

So strange, I only had one day of misty weather and the rest were clear.

You'll be fine, the most sketchy bit is after mt Frankland and you'll be exiting the range before then.