Mersey Forest Road access

[stu]

It's probably covered somewhere else, but for up to date info, is the Mersey Forest Road open ?
Lake Myrtle Track access / WOJ / Arm River Track access?

Thanks in advance

Stu

[Tortoise]

It's probably covered somewhere else, but for up to date info, is the Mersey Forest Road open ?
Lake Myrtle Track access / WOJ / Arm River Track access?

Hey Stu,
Info received by NWWC last week was that Bare Hill Rd (the only option to bypass the massive hole that used to be the road just south of Lk Mackenzie Rd) is definitely closed, though I forget whether or not the proposed physical gate is there or not. There are apparently more washouts that prevent access to the Walls and Maggs Rd. It's a huge job, but they are allegedly starting on repairs this week.

See also:http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=23624&p=308235&hilit=mersey+forest+rd#p308235
Sorry the news isn't better.

[stu]

Thanks for the response, even if not good news.
So with the closure of Bare Hill Rd there is no access to either The Walls or Arm River tracks?
Sad state of affairs, hopefully they get something sorted for the summer season, I have been looking forward to a Pelion trip

[Tortoise]

Thanks for the response, even if not good news.
So with the closure of Bare Hill Rd there is no access to either The Walls or Arm River tracks?

Correct. It sounded like there are a couple of washouts further in that block the way to either one.
There would be hundreds of thousands of dollars to be lost in the guiding industry this summer apparently, if repairs weren't done - they couldn't do the usual re-stocking, and couldn't do a bunch of walk options. So it is indeed good news that the repairs are starting, for us and them.

[Gullivers3]

Is anyone aware of any further developments as regards a time line for repairs to the road.
Phil

[tastrekker]

Please read the letter I sent to Parks in the thread linked above. It lists all the areas which were accessible via Borradaile Plains and Bare Hill Roads until the gate was installed recently.