Tarn Shelf, Mt Field National Park, Tasmania
Posted: Sat 17 Feb, 2018 2:51 pmThe last mile of road is gated with access only for club members (there are a few clubs up there) so you can either start at the road or walk in shade for the first bit through the Pandani Grove then get onto the 4WD road up to the Snowgum Track.
I would have loved to do more but a) it was a hot day with Very High Fire Danger rating for the Derwent Valley, and we were travelling with my 2-year-old so I didn't want to neglect my wife and kid for the whole day. I just visited the first few tarns then headed back.
Topographic map of Tarn Shelf
Lake Dobson; there is a short walk just around this lake and to a tarn just next to it:
Gorgeous Pandani:
It was good exercise ascending to the Shelf; heart rate logged with Fitbit Ionic.
There's a section of the Snowgum Track that's more of a "Head towards that cairn, however you see fit" minefield of ankle-breakers:
Naturally there's snow gum on the Snowgum Track:
Lake Seal, which you can get to via the Lake Webster Track:
And my favourite, Snowgentian (Gentianella diemensis)
It was already 23 degrees when I got to the montane but the skinks were still sluggish and reluctant to move off the sunny boardwalk:
You can clearly see the Shelf here:
Revolute Orites (Orites revolutus)
MacKenzie Tarn with Johnston Tarn in the background:
Another view of Lake Seal:
Johnston Tarn:
The stunning Alpine Sundew (Drosera arcturi)
10km return hike. The forecast was for 37 degrees down in the valley but it didn't get above 25 degrees above the treeline.
If I'd had time I'd have liked to go right to Lake Newdegate and The Watcher, then back via K Col. The Tarn Shelf Circuit goes out to Lake Newdegate but returns via Lake Webster.
I would have loved to do more but a) it was a hot day with Very High Fire Danger rating for the Derwent Valley, and we were travelling with my 2-year-old so I didn't want to neglect my wife and kid for the whole day. I just visited the first few tarns then headed back.
Topographic map of Tarn Shelf
Lake Dobson; there is a short walk just around this lake and to a tarn just next to it:
Gorgeous Pandani:
It was good exercise ascending to the Shelf; heart rate logged with Fitbit Ionic.
There's a section of the Snowgum Track that's more of a "Head towards that cairn, however you see fit" minefield of ankle-breakers:
Naturally there's snow gum on the Snowgum Track:
Lake Seal, which you can get to via the Lake Webster Track:
And my favourite, Snowgentian (Gentianella diemensis)
It was already 23 degrees when I got to the montane but the skinks were still sluggish and reluctant to move off the sunny boardwalk:
You can clearly see the Shelf here:
Revolute Orites (Orites revolutus)
MacKenzie Tarn with Johnston Tarn in the background:
Another view of Lake Seal:
Johnston Tarn:
The stunning Alpine Sundew (Drosera arcturi)
10km return hike. The forecast was for 37 degrees down in the valley but it didn't get above 25 degrees above the treeline.
If I'd had time I'd have liked to go right to Lake Newdegate and The Watcher, then back via K Col. The Tarn Shelf Circuit goes out to Lake Newdegate but returns via Lake Webster.