Lake Rodway Track

[BruceL]

My wife and I have 4 days at Cradle Mtn in January and are looking at doing some walks in the area. One we would like to do is to walk via the Lake Rodway Track to overnight at Scott Kilvert Hut. Then next day continue on up to the Overland Track and return to Waldheim via Kitchen Hut. On the way to Scott Kilvert we thought we would go around the back of Hansons Peak via Lake Hansen and Twisted Lakes.
I am keen to hear of anyone's recent experience of the condition of the track. In particular around the section around the back of Hansons Peak and also the bit from Lake Rodway past Benson Peak up to the OT. I have gleaned bits and pieces from various threads on this forum but would like some current information if possible. We are reasonably familiar with the area having done the OT in January this year and would like to spend more time around Cradle Mtn in January 2010.

Bruce

[eggs]

We have gone around the back of Hansons Peak on 2 occasions. Most recent was April last year (08).
It is a longer walk via that route but very pretty.

The track is clear and well defined, but rougher than the normal tracks around cradle. There are roots and mud to negotiate and some forest rock scrambling in sections.
In overall Tassie terms it is still a trivial and excellent track, but for anyone only used to the quality of the tracks around Cradle valley - it could be a little shock.

for some photos see: http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=758 though some of the relevant ones have disappeared.

This is the track in about the worst part - so you can see it is pretty tame.

and this is one of my favourite spots.

[corvus]

G'day Bruce,
We did the Twisted Lake /Hanson's Lake track recently in atrocious weather and apart from some snow ,ice ,mud and (unbridged)swollen creeks it was a relatively pleasant walk on a very basic track which is steepish and rough in a couple of spots.
Rodway track to SKH is very good and well maintained however from SKH to the OLT it can be very ordinary particularly in the wet but no better or worse than Twisted /Hanson's and should not present a problem if you are reasonably fit and can handle the rougher bits of the Tracks this can be a very nice circuit walk especially in good weather.
We are an experienced group who walk every month regardless of the weather and are used to off track conditions so what we consider "relatively pleasant" may well be diabolic for you and your wife so as with all bush walking make sure you do your homework
corvus.

[Ent]

Hi

As part of the sodden Strollers on the walk Corvus mentioned and also done is a year earlier with a less than experienced walker the Lake Hanson track does go past some of the most beautiful parts of the day walk area of Cradle/Dove lake end of the park. Only thing was there is a small rock climb that could worry someone not liking scrambling. Small is about eight feet high with ample hand and foot holds but for my friend was almost a bridge too far. She made it down but it was a factor in not going back that way. It is a good route if it is blowing a gale over Hansons Peak.

The tracks is muddy in parts as per the photographs and as Corvus said there are unbridged creeks that i did not notice the first time but definitely did the second time It is a chance to get away from the madding crowd as on a near perfect day we meet only one couple trekking through as opposed to the almost congo line up Hanson Peak. Solid boots and good bush sense on a traditional walking type track along with the ability to do a scramble or two will reward you with gem of a walk.

Cheers Brett

[BruceL]

Thanks Eggs, Corvus and Brett for your comments on the Lake Rodway Track. Great photos too Eggs. It seems like it is a great walk and worth the effort. I take your point Corvus that asking someone else for their assessment of track condition and its suitability for me is a difficult call but from the descriptions and photo it shouldn't be a problem. I will get an update from the Visitors Centre when we get there. We also hope to get to Lake Wilks and walk the Hounslow Heath Track. I would also like to check out the Scout Lodge - after reading about the Strollers visit there recently. It was interesting reading about it on the forum and sounded like a great outing.

Bruce

[Drifting]

This weekend I was told by one opf the bus drivers who does quite a bit of walking up there that the track markers have been removed, but it doesn't sound like a problem.

[Ent]

This weekend I was told by one opf the bus drivers who does quite a bit of walking up there that the track markers have been removed, but it doesn't sound like a problem.

Maybe someone from Parks can fill us in if this track will not be maintained? The track is well trodden so unless snow it should be straightforward to follow at the moment.

Cheers Brett

[Joel]

Mate, I gave up on any of the tracks being maintained about a year ago. Don't hold your breath. The timber and wire to fix the Wombat pool to Marion's has been sitting there next to a ditch for God knows how long. At least a year.

[Eott]

In relation to the Lake Rodway Track, I was talking to a guy who was with a group doing some track maintenance on the steep section around the back of Cradle where it go's back up onto the the cirque. Joel may know more about this.

Mark

[Joel]

They've done a fair bit of work up there over the past few months. Not around Lake Hanson as far as I know.