Glen Dhu Track

  DO NOT USE

THE TRACK ACCESS FOR THIS IS CLOSED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER.

 Another perfect day and another new walk by Bob.

It was warm and sunny when we made the drive through Collinsvale to the turn off for Suhrs Road. Follow it to the end and you find signs marking the start of the Collins Cap track and a small parking area. There's another sign prohibiting unauthorized vehicles, and in case you didn't understand that one, the landowner has kindly put up a larger, more earthy hand painted sign to re-enforce the point!

Collinsvale was original Sorell Creek until the Lutherans arrived in 1870 and it was renamed Bismark until WW1 when it was renamed again - after much turmoil - to Collinsvale after our first governor.   

That this is a working farm is driven home by the abundance of sheep, goats, cattle and  a pig sty close by the fence. Nice pigs, but I guarantee your sinuses will be clear by the time you get past.

Continue on and bear right when you reach a paddock and enter the bush on the Collins Cap track which is a fire trail.

I had been taking photos and everyone else had continued on so I was on my own when I heard a quad bike motor getting closer behind me. I stopped and so did the 2 females on the bike. Seems someone (not us!) had left a gate open and 2 horses had escaped. The driver gave me her mobile number and asked us to keep an eye out for them, which we duly did.

The track continues up at a gentle slope and some views begin appearing behind the trees. We reached a steeper section, and at the 2.4km (thanks David) point we reached the turn off for the Glen Dhu track where morning tea was partaken. We were just below the summit of Collins Cap and more energetic folk could combine this with the rest of the walk. We didn't. The surrounding bush had been through a fire in the past year or so and was just coming back.

The Glen Dhu  track is fairly level before starting downhill. The track appears to be an old logging road and has young saplings and scrub growing through it. Another 50 years and it will be hard to find. Since the fire cleared out the undergrowth, other old trails appear from time to time off to the side.

There are good views of Mt. Charles & Mt. Marian (thanks Bob)  until we begin to descend.
We go from thin, young bush down into ferns, Man ferns and leaches at the bottom. Lots of leaches. Several small creeks are crossed, I wonder what they would be like in the winter?  The trail is still a wide ex logging trail but there are several fallen trees you need to climb over or under.

I stopped to take a photo when I heard a commotion behind me. Seems John had cunningly stepped on a stick which jumped up and caused David to trip and fall. David was o.k. but I was disappointed because I had the camera but was facing the wrong way!

Eventually you reach an open paddock which was perfect for lunch.

During lunch a very large Wedge-tailed eagle passed over head, too quickly for me to grab my camera - well, it would have meant dropping my sandwich. I did get a long shot of it being harassed by crows.

After lunch a convenient metal gate led us on to Nichols Rd. which in turn took us back to Collins Cap road for our return to the Suhrs Rd. turn off, and back to the cars. I don't usually like road walking, but this was different and it was very pleasant. Walking back down Suhrs Rd. someone noticed the fence on our left was very high, and we thought it was probably for deer. Wrong! A couple of friendly Emus came over and followed us down the fence, and more were at the back of the paddock

FOOTNOTE:
I mentioned being stopped by the quad bike and being asked to look out for missing horses.  That night as I was transferring photos from the cameras (a blog editor's work is never done), I heard my phone beep. There was a long SMS with detailed directions to the woman's house. I thought, "Hello! I must have made quite an impression. Must be the ponytail". However, my ego went into a steep dive when I realized it addressed to someone called Gabrielle. Ah Well.
Anyway I answered and told her she had the wrong number, she apologized and said the horses had been found. Which was good.

Click here to download GPX file

Start & Parking

We had a good send off

Up the track

Snow Berries

Morning tea on Glen Dhu track

Collins Bonnet, Mt. Charles & Mt. Marion (I think)

The track becomes more overgrown

Heading down

We'll go over this one

and under this one

Here be leaches

Remnants of old forest

Old stump with springboard holes

Springboards in use at Geeveston

Marked Yellow cliffs on map

Wedge-tail eagle & crows

Very pleasant lunch spot

Good looking gum, John looks fine also

Collins Cap, Collins Bonnet, Someone had an unnatural interest in Collin's headgear.

Emu, more in background

Google Earth, at least we didn't have snow

Elevation profile

Map

Times

 In searching for some info on this walk, I came across a company who will take you on a day trip to both Cap & Bonnet. Judging from their prices, we're getting off cheap. While they didn't show a specific price, their multi-day tours run to a couple of thousand, so we get off cheaply. They do get the following, however.

On single day walking tours, we include the following services and items at no extra charge:

• Transfers from your Hobart accommodation to the tour destination (usually between 7:30-8:00 am) and return at conclusion of tour
• Choice of destinations to suit client preferences and forecast weather conditions
• Waterproof hiking parka
• Waterproof overpants
• Fleece jacket (choice of 300 or 200 weight fleece)
• Waterproof gloves
• Gaiters (depending on tour destination)
• Daypack to carry protective clothing
• Lunch (prepared by your guide on the track); beverages; snacks
• Toilet paper; hand sanitiser (alcohol based)
• Qualified and knowledgeable guide/s
• Comprehensive first-aid kit (carried by guide/s)
• Emergency communications (PLB (Personal Location Beacon) and/or satellite phone, carried by guide/s)
• All necessary park passes and permits

Not included:

• Sunscreen, blister protection, insect repellent, any personal medication
• Stout walking shoes (well worn-in)
• Long-sleeved shirt (preferably synthetic for quick drying)
• Hat or beanie
• Camera, spare film/SD card and batteries (optional)

We had 11 walkers and covered 9.6km in 3.28 hours.