The Springs-Milles Track-Potato Fields 2020

Today Peter, Ron and Bob are taking us from the Springs on Mt. Wellington out the Milles Track to the Potato Fields with a stop at the Disappearing Tarn along the way.

It's a bit overcast as we set off up the steps that used to lead to the Springs Hotel to find the start of the Milles Track.

The Springs Hotel was operating between 1907 and 1967 when it was lost in the bushfires that came very close to Hobart.

Going up

The Zig-Zag track is being repaired. I hope they don't put in any steps!

The Milles Track is a very pleasant one running along the contour of the mountain with great views in several places.

Easy walking

Looking out over the Derwent

Looking towards North West Bay

The track is generally dry, but there are a couple of wet places where springs appear.

One of several small springs from the mountain side

There are a couple of small scrambles along the way, but nothing serious.

Soon we reach a spot for Morning Tea.

Morning Tea

 As you can see, the track begins to become more rocky from here. This is actually the end of the Milles Track and it becomes the Wellington Falls Track from here.

Some of the ancient appearing vegetation growing next to the track

I did warn them I was taking a photo so nothing too embarrassing was taking place

Now as we move on, you can see the location of our break. It's the Snake Plains Track, one we've been up and down on in the past.

Snake Plains Track leading down to the Pipeline Track

We're not turning off today, but continue on.

If you want to strengthen your leg and ankle muscles and improve your balance, skip the gym and just walk into and around the Potato Fields carrying a pack!

Explicit directions were passed back to me to photograph this large cairn

Why, I don't know, but there it is.

Spot the track

Cathedral Rock in the distance

The weather is beginning to clear as we go with blue skies and water appearing in the views.

The clouds are moving on

The track

I spotted a couple of stone cairns, one on the rock in the foreground and a larger one near the tree

I have no idea where they are leading and it doesn't look like anyone has followed them for a very long time. On we go.

Bob is trying to remember where the Disappearing Tarn is located which takes us off the main track for a look round.

Off track

You know things are becoming serious when a map comes out!

We make our way back to the main track and just around a corner is our objective. Both the Disappearing Tarn and the Potato Fields.

The Tarn is down there...

...but living up to its name, has disappeared

If you really want to see it in all its glory, winter is your best bet.

I found a good blog with photos and an entertaining description of the walk in, and if you CLICK HERE you can see how blue the water is when it's filled and read the story.

Perhaps you can get Ron and Peter to schedule a walk in the winter, I'll be away that day.

Part of the group set off behind Peter to do a loop through the fields

 

I've been over them several times over the years and one rock is much the same as another so three of us settle down for lunch and wait for their return.

Geoff and I had a discussion re the geology of the area. As described in the book Walk Into History In Southern Tasmania by David Leaman, so kindly given to me by the group, the area is dolerite talus which overlies Triassic rocks. I thought the rounded boulders were created by glacier action, but this seems not to be the case. If you really want to know more, just google dolerite talus.

The others return, having had lunch on the way back to us. Now we start our return walk back to the Springs.

I notice someone in the past felt the need to carry a brick up here. I can tell you there are no buildings up here and if there were they would have been of wood.

A brick next to a marker post

On we go and at one point Ron tries to con some of us by pointing out what appears to be someone on a tight rope between two points on the distant Cathedral Rock. From this distance it does appear that something/one is up there in the space between the rocks.

Well, what do you know? Ron's right as it appears to be a very tall and skinny bloke with an afro hairdo

While taking a photo, I rested my stick against this tree, much to the consternation of the little fellow who wanted to get into that black hole

He waited for a couple of minutes than made a dash for it.

On we go making our return.

Typical trail marker with the orange arrow

The first time I did this track years ago with my son, the only markers were cairns and the odd branch wedged into the rocks.

This interesting gum tree with its knee was pointed out to me

The sun has come out, bringing out the blue of the water

Another spring on the way back

Peter stopped and pointed out this fairly large worm on the track. Bet Wayne wishes he had been with us as he's a keen fisherman.

Feeling sorry for it as it was heading away from a damp area towards a very dry and sunny spot, Peter moved it back to the moist area. I hope it was pleased with the move and not mumbling to itself about "Bloody do-gooders!  Now I have to start again!!"

Worm about to be relocated

Soon we reach the steps down to the cars.

We had 12 walkers and covered 8.46km in 4:53hrs.

Not a great distance for the time, but speaking for myself at my age, I'm not keen on breaking anything and am inclined to take my time over rough tracks.