On 1 November 2013, I went for a wander to Mt Field East. This is quite a difficult walk, as there is quite often no actual ‘track’. You find yourself hopping from rock to rock between trail makers for most of the journey, with lots of clambering over rocks on both sides of the summit. I went in from the east & trekked across the summit via Windy Moor and descended to Lake Fenton. I think it would be slightly easier going in the opposite direction (starting from Lake Fenton), but hey, these are lessons we learn…!
Here is a link to the Endomondo ‘workout’: https://www.endomondo.com/embed/workouts?w=nU4nDRQjJI8&width=580&height=600&width=950&height=600
As per my previous posts, I headed up to Mt Field National Park & followed the Lake Dobson Road until I got to this sign (about halfway along the 16km length).
And again, you immediately encounter a blockage!
The trail is rocky – here I dropped my faithful drink bottle & dented it…!
The trail.
More trail.
It’s a little different to many bushwalks in Tasmania, in that the entire trek is basically going from trail maker to trail marker. The eastern side is easier, but only because the trail is generally well-worn & easier to spot.
Coming up to Lake Nicholls. Just after I took this picture I had an encounter with a large tiger snake that (unlike other serpentine encounters I’ve had) would not move from the pathway. So after a lot of tapping of my hiking pole on the ground from a safe distance, he (she?) begrudgingly moved off the path.
Lake Nicholls
Lake Nicholls hut
When I checked in to the Mt Field Visitor Centre, the ranger happened to be there & was most interested to hear I was going to Mt Field East by myself. He made a good point at that time, which I’ll paraphrase:
“Oh, when you come up to Lake Nicholls, there’s a memorial there on the side of the hut. It’s to the last fellow who walked up there alone. He moved off the path. And we never found him.” He pointed and waggled his finger at me. “So don’t go off the path!”
Once I left Lake Nicholls, the trek became a climb. Up over loads & loads of rocks for some distance.
Finally at the top, and here I saw one of the most awesome things ever. A huge wedge-tailed eagle flew out of some trees to the north & lazily circled about 30 metres above my head before flying off again.
I took a picture of it coming toward me, but could do nothing except watch in awe as it flew overhead. You know those giant eagles from the Hobbit? That’s what it felt like… such a wonderful and majestic creature. To be honest, I did wonder for a minute if it was going to swoop & take me off for lunch, but I’m guessing that there were easier (and lighter) targets around for lunch.
Here is the picture with just the amazing bird. Poor effort I know, but hey – I was mesmerised.
Looking across Windy Moor to Mt Field West
A sign
Luckily Windy Moor wasn’t very windy that day
Across the moor & I could see down to Lake Fenton. Not far to go! Wrong. Lots of rock-hopping still to come. The descent took a while.
More of the descent.
Lake Fenton
Once at Lake Fenton, I had to walk a couple of kilometres back down the road to where I’d left my car. I didn’t mind this at all, because it was much easier!
All in all a great walk, a great experience (I still rave about the eagle flying over my head…!).
Thanks for reading!
Pete
Pete Diggins 