Tassie in Autumn

[Champion_Munch]

Hi all,

May be heading down to Tassie in late March/early April for 1-2 weeks next year. Considering doing the OT, SCT or Walls. Have done the OT a few years ago and been up to Pine Valley from Lake St Clair last Xmas, but both times was in the middle of Summer.

Just wondering how much wetter/colder the weather is in April vs December, and what kind of track conditions we might expect walking in Tassie at this time in any of those places? In the face of interminable and miserable weather, which might be the 'more enjoyable' (or, 'least unenjoyable') option? My understanding is that Autumn is the season for fungi and fagus changing colour, but we might be a bit too early for this?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Munch

[pazzar]

April can throw up all sorts. It often starts out with temps similar to December temps, but we often see the first significant snow falls in April too.

Great time to walk IMHO as it isn't too hot, and the colours are amazing. As always you still need to pack for all conditions. You may come across a little more mud on some tracks, but it is all weather dependent. Snakes are generally not as active at this time of year either.

I'd pick either the OLT or the Walls for this time of year, purely for the fagus. A multi-day circuit around Mt Field would be great too.

[Champion_Munch]

Thanks pazzar. Do you think, is the first week of April too early to see the fagus change colour? Also, is it possible to link the Walls with the OT without getting a OT pass (e.g. coming in via never never and ending at Lake St Clair)? Is it possible to head north via the Arm river track or Lees Paddock and end at Cradle at this time of year?

Cheers!

[north-north-west]

Around Anzac Day is when we usually expect the fagus to be at its height, but it depends on the conditions.

Technically, Arm River to Cradle Mtn/Cynthia Bay is not on. The guidelines are one 'node' (ie: hut to hut section) without a pass. Which means you can walk as far north as Windermere, or south to Kia Ora. Going through the Never Never to Kia Ora and then south would be better. Bypass the Bert Newton Nichols Memorial Palatial Monstrosity and head into Pine Valley and explore the Acropolis and the Labyrinth.

[Champion_Munch]

Hi nnw,

So if we come in via never never and head south we can avoid the OT pass? Or is that only if we 'stay' at one hut south of that entryway (e.g. pine valley OR narcissus OR echo point)? Seems a bit confusing to me. I loved the area around Pine Valley that we visited xmas last year, would love to go back and explore a bit more there.

Cheers,
Munch

[north-north-west]

It's not just about staying at the huts, it's use of the track.
For instance, you can walk north from Cynthia Bay as far as the Pine Valley turnoff without hassles. You can get away with walking as far as DuCane Gap if you present the excuse of doing the DuCane circuit. You can walk up to the Pelion West turnoff (or to Pine Forest Moor) from Pelion Hut without problems (except maybe the odd nasty look from OTers). But New Pelion to Cradle (or Cynthia Bay) is half the track and track rangers or hut wardens will turn you back if you run into them. Going south from Kia Ora if you go in by the Never Never is a bit better, especially if you say you're going in to Pine Valley. It might be strictly outside the guidelines if you want to get technical about it, but they'd probably let you get away with it.

It's a pain in the butt, but we have to learn to work around the rules. I've been in and out numerous times doing bits and pieces, and only ever been questioned once, when picking up my pack at Douglas Creek after coming down from Oakleigh, on my way out from the Pelion circuit. Couple of quick questions and all was OK. But people who try to do too much without a pass are often stopped and turned back.

[DaveNoble]

It's not just about staying at the huts, it's use of the track.
For instance, you can walk north from Cynthia Bay as far as the Pine Valley turnoff without hassles. You can get away with walking as far as DuCane Gap if you present the excuse of doing the DuCane circuit.

This is not so. You can walk from CB as far as Du Cane Gap as long as you intend to climb from the gap onto the Traveller Range. But you are not permitted to climb onto the Du Cane Range from the gap. I met some parties that had been turned back at Windy Ridge by the ranger - they then had to walk to Pine Valley and climb onto the Du Cane Range via The Labyrinth. You are allowed to climb down off the Du Cane Range at Du Cane Gap. On the trip I was on - I met the ranger he he confirmed this was so.

Dave

[Nuts]

Hi nnw,

So if we come in via never never and head south we can avoid the OT pass? Or is that only if we 'stay' at one hut south of that entryway (e.g. pine valley OR narcissus OR echo point)? Seems a bit confusing to me. I loved the area around Pine Valley that we visited xmas last year, would love to go back and explore a bit more there.

Cheers,
Munch

As I understand you can do what you mention here without a pass, NvrNvr would be well down on my list but you can.

[north-north-west]

It's not just about staying at the huts, it's use of the track.
For instance, you can walk north from Cynthia Bay as far as the Pine Valley turnoff without hassles. You can get away with walking as far as DuCane Gap if you present the excuse of doing the DuCane circuit.

This is not so. You can walk from CB as far as Du Cane Gap as long as you intend to climb from the gap onto the Traveller Range. But you are not permitted to climb onto the Du Cane Range from the gap. I met some parties that had been turned back at Windy Ridge by the ranger - they then had to walk to Pine Valley and climb onto the Du Cane Range via The Labyrinth. You are allowed to climb down off the Du Cane Range at Du Cane Gap. On the trip I was on - I met the ranger he he confirmed this was so.

Dave

Well, I did it both ways without any hassles. But thanks for the clarification.

[Champion_Munch]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'm not looking to cheat the system, but if we can avoid the OT pass fee then I'm not going to complain.

As I understand you can do what you mention here without a pass, NvrNvr would be well down on my list but you can.

Hi nuts - we saw this linking track between the Walls and OT and thought it might be fun to combine walking in the Walls (where we haven't been) and head out via Pine Valley (where we have been before, and loved). Is the walk not worth doing?

[Nuts]

Hi Munch,

Iv'e been down (and up) the Mersey Valley, both on the way too/from fishing and some years before even getting over to WoJ.
A similar question was asked recently with emphasis on mountain walking and scenery. I can't really think in terms of not being 'worth' the effort, all beauty in one form or other, just immediately think of the scenic 'rim' of Cathedral or further south on the Traveller Range for bushwalking value rather than the 15k's or so past the lakes and down the Mersey R. I'd then get excited about something like crossing from the gatepost and heading around the Ducanes (if you had PV in mind). Otherwise, with limited time, a couple of days around the Walls would be a highlight, then next one would be to climb up out of Pine Valley & catch the autumn colour.. or at least the valley forest is nice as well in wet weather.

I'm not entirely sure whether Narcissus is now included in the OLT huts/permit efforts? but as far as I know, & just to clarify, you can use these other huts (Narc/Echo/PV) and tracks between at leisure.

[north-north-west]

Iv'e been down (and up) the Mersey Valley, both on the way too/from fishing and some years before even getting over to WoJ.
A similar question was asked recently with emphasis on mountain walking and scenery. I can't really think in terms of not being 'worth' the effort, all beauty in one form or other, just immediately think of the scenic 'rim' of Cathedral or further south on the Traveller Range for bushwalking value rather than the 15k's or so past the lakes and down the Mersey R. I'd then get excited about something like crossing from the gatepost and heading around the Ducanes (if you had PV in mind). Otherwise, with limited time, a couple of days around the Walls would be a highlight, then next one would be to climb up out of Pine Valley & catch the autumn colour.. or at least the valley forest is nice as well in wet weather.

Yeah, good suggestion, taking the Artemis track and heading up into the Orion Lakes and northern Traveller and then down to pick up the OT at DuCane Gap - yeah, brilliant and no hassles about track passes.

You just have to find the easiest route down from the Gatepost. Or do it the other way around, which would probably be easier navigationally . . .

[Champion_Munch]

Thanks for the suggestions, nuts and nnw.

I will be travelling with my partner and old man, neither of whom would be much keen for walks with big exposure/lots of scrambling, particularly with packs. Although I have done some relatively 'easy' off-track walking in rainforested/bushy areas in QLD, alpine areas in Tassie are a different thing entirely - I'm not sure whether that means any easier or harder! What would this alternative walls->PV route be like, with those thoughts in mind? I wouldn't mind a bit of compass and map work, but the only walking any of us have done in tassie so far has been well-graded tracks requiring minimal navigation effort - so not really sure what to expect?

Cheers,
Munch

[Nuts]

Scrambling, exposure, a chance for some icey days. It sounds like plan A was, at least, a better idea for your group?

[Champion_Munch]

Hi nuts,

I'm sure heading up the Traveller Range would be exciting but given the experience of our group and your description of the route, I'm guessing might be a safer option to stick to the Never Never.

We're looking at a tentative itinerary, below - any feedback welcome!

Overnight in Launceston
Day 1 - Private transport, Mersey Valley -> Dixon's Kingdom
Day 2 - Day walks
Day 3 - Dixon's Kingdom -> Lake Adelaide via Lake Ball
Day 4 - Lake Adelaide -> Junction Lake (inc. Mt Rogoona side trip?)
Day 5 - Junction Lake -> Windy Ridge via Never Never
Day 6 - Windy Ridge -> Pine Valley (day trip to Acropolis?)
Day 7 - Day trip to The Labyrinth
Day 8 - Pine Valley -> Echo Point
Day 9 - Echo Point to Narcissus
Day 10 - Coach to Hobart

Alternative ending - if we are feeling fit and weather is fine
Day 7 - Pine Valley -> Camp near Lake Elysia/Lake Helios
Day 8 - Return to Pine Valley (possible side-trip to Walled Mountain?)
Day 9 - Pine Valley to Echo Point
Day 10 - Echo Point to Narcisuss, coach to Hobart

I understand many of these days are fairly short (especially early on), this is a deliberate attempt to factor in a rest day or two if required due to bad weather. Any thoughts or suggestions, particularly with regards to the nicest places to camp? I've heard the camp at the south of Lake Adelaide or the one at the northern end of Lake Meston are quite nice.

Cheers,
Munch

[Nuts]

Sounds a bit more enjoyable? The only change, by merely personal preference and considering the end of a long walk with no choice of weather.., would be more time from PV less walking around Leeawuleena, nice forest as it is. Nice base camps in Pine Valley but be wary of flooding there.

[Champion_Munch]

Hmmm.. apparently the road into the main walls area is not so crash hot right now - Cradle Mountain Coaches, who appear to be the only group operating on Easter Sunday (when we start) say they can't take us any further than Lake Rowallen, leaving us with an extra 5-6 km of road walking.

Wondering now if it might be better to approach the walls from an alternative route. Can anyone with experience in the area offer an input on this - would it be wise to attempt an alternative entry on our first time there, or just brave the extra few km of road walking?

[north-north-west]

Reverse direction and hitch out?

[Thornbill]

It'll be easy enough to walk the road from the drop off point. Had the same issue last year trying to access the Leeaberra Track in the Douglas Apsley Nat Park. There is a bridge out about 5km before the track starts. We parked the car and walked the extra along the road, which added a couple of hours to the walk. It wont be the most exciting bit of walking you've done, but simple enough. Given that the walk into Wild Dog Creek (if that's where you head night one) isn't too long, a couple of extra hours shouldn't hurt too much. You might even be lucky enough to score a lift from others passing by. I know a few people who take old bikes with them for these situations, then ride in and hide the bikes in the bush to collect on the way out. Probably not feasible for you guys though. Either way, enjoy

[Hermione]

[quote="Champion_Munch"]Hmmm.. apparently the road into the main walls area is not so crash hot right now - Cradle Mountain Coaches, who appear to be the only group operating on Easter Sunday (when we start) say they can't take us any further than Lake Rowallen, leaving us with an extra 5-6 km of road walking.

Hi, Mole Creek Hotel has a sort of ad hoc bushwalker transport service (also a 4WD). We've used them to drop us into the WOJ/Central plateau area a few times as we also had a problem with transport providers not wanting to drive on the unsealed road. I don't think they pick up in Launceston so you'd still have to get to Mole Creek somehow