From Lumeah Ave - Lenah Valley 2016

Today we're starting from the end of Lumeah Ave. in Lenah Valley, a walk we've done before. Bob is our leader.

The weather was a bit windy at Kingston before we left, but is calm for the start of the walk.

Weather looks good

Very dry area...

...as you can see

We continue along this track which is easy walking. You can tell by the background noise level!

There have been many hazard reduction burns here, in fact there's a permanent sign at the beginning of the track advising you of Mandatory Burns. I first thought this was the name of the person commemorated by the track and wondered who Manny Burns was.

We pass evidence of the gums coming back from the last big burn out here.

You can see how the gums recover from fire

 When we arrived in Tassie in '68, all of Mt. Wellington looked like this. The views were great driving up the road to the top.

Soon Bob brings us to the first hill, one I well remember from times past. It's steep and slippery as we begin the climb.

Just the beginning

Looking back

The wattles add some colour on the way

We arrive at a spot where we've had Morning Tea in the past. This time we're 30 minutes ahead of our usual time. We were held up by an accident on the Southern Outlet on the way, so I like to think we're faster climbers these days.

Tea finished, we start climbing again up to the top of this little hill.

Presented with a choice at the top, we go right

Mt. Wellington with a cloud top

There's been a lot of work done up here, large boulders have been put around to block vehicles from going off track. In the distance you might just make out a blue pole (not that one) where a new gate is being installed to stop wood hookers - people that steal firewood for the edification of the rest of the world.

Montrose and the River Derwent in the distance

Looking towards the Glenorchy Tip

We are now overlooking Tolosa Park.

A good example of idiots at work

 They cut through the base of this tree which slid off and hung up on the large tree next to it. Well planned.

As we're walking on ancient sea beds, there are many fossils lying around. Spotted by Peter

There's a quarry below, and it looks like they're expanding

Better view of the tip

Having walked down, now we walk back up to take the left hand fork.

On the way, we pass this sign. I'm sure everyone wants to know who J. E. Dean was. After all, he's threatening to prosecute us. So here you are. This is from a marker in the gardens around the Glenorchy Council offices.

City of Glenorchy
These gardens are dedicated to the memory of Jack Edward Dean, Ll. B., A.A.S.A., A.C.I.S., F.I.M., A.J.P. who served the Municipality of Glenorchy for 46 years and was Council Clerk 1952 - 1964  Town Clerk 1964 - 1980
D. J. Shields, Mayor
July 1983

We never stop learning. Back to the walk. After a while we turn left onto this trail.

I don't know if this commemorates a surname or an occurrence.

Peter ponders another sign for the trail.

Priest fire trail

Missed opportunity

While walking at the rear, Peter and I heard a shout from the front. I raced forward calling for people to move out of the way and let the camera through, but I was too late. Seems Bob had slipped and sat down suddenly on the track.

Through the noise of applauding, I asked if he could recreate it for the blog, but for some reason, he refused. 

Excitement over, I photograph a fungus provided by Peter

I'm pretty sure we've gone off track

But, you'd be hard pressed to get lost up here.

Civilization in the distance

We walk a couple of lanes and up a dirt track, heading for a lunch spot.

Alex and Tas have a quiet word while costume changes occur behind them

While waiting for everyone to get dressed again, I spotted this miniature kayak lying on the ground. Showing it prompted comments about tiny Eskimos settling Tassie in the past.

Tiny kayak. photo by Renate

Lunch in the bush

 This is just off track and provides a variety of seating.

Renate took this photo of some bush colour

Lunch finished, we move on

On the way, we pass one of Bob's friends

There's a property on top of the hill, but I can't see any sign of a fence. I turn from taking the photo of this large, loud dog to ask if anyone else has see one, only to find this.

Seems a sudden acceleration took place

 I catch up just as we turn down an old disused track. This leads down to two houses where we turn and retrace our steps.

Old track

Now we return to our cars. It was a good day for a walk and the weather stayed fine. It's not a long walk by any means, but we do some climbing. At one point, Bob said we had only one more hill to climb. Turned out to be five, but who's counting!

We had 11 walkers and covered 6.82km in 3:17hrs. You can add another 6.5km to that to make up for all the climbing.