Snake Plains Circuit 4 May 2021

 After a wet Monday we had the weather gods shining on us and it was my turn to lead the walk. 

A number of today's walkers have not done this walk before and in particular the part across Snake Plains down to the Pipeline Track.

Getting ready to start the climb up through the Fernglade.

The original signage for the walk.

 

A minor deviation from the normal track.

Chris checking the height of a tree or maybe whether it was safe to walk under.

 The group having a rest while waiting for the leader to lead from the front instead of leading from the rear.

Happy climbers??? on a "Wee Hill"

Monument alongside the Radford Track to George Radford who died while participating in a race to the Pinnacle in 1903.

Morning tea at The Springs with Ron and Morris in deep discussion on the advantages of a particular electronic map.

Leaving The Springs.

Interesting that there is no indication on the sign even though Snake Plains is accessed from the Milles Track.

Bob patiently waiting for the word to continue.

Our first very clear view across Mt Nelson to the Derwent and beyond.

And then across Kingston and to the Iron Pot at the entrance to the Derwent.

The Mille Track.

A fine example of an original sandstone drainage gutter for diverting water from the track.

A view across Margate through Conningham and Bruny Island.

     Cyathodes parvifolia - Mountain Berry

Gaultheria hispida - Snow Berry (Fruit).

 

 

The original signage for Snake Plains Track.

Billardiera longifloria - Mountain Blueberry (Fruit).

Richea Pandanifolia - a young Pandani.

 

Part of the boulder field extending down the track.

 

 

Entering Snake Plains.

And now the fun starts as we spend a bit of time avoiding falling in the water.

The first view of Cathedral Rock.

Stopping to check where we have walked.

The view from Snake Plains across the Channel to Bruny Island.

The photographer actually though he might catch someone falling in but Chris showed that experience still counted.

 

Re-entering the forest for the descent to  The Pipeline Track.

Enough seating was found alongside the track for everyone to have a reasonable comfort lunch spot.

 

The photo doesn't quite indicate the steep cobbled descent.

 

The main group hit the Pipeline Track and increased their walking speed.  We just let them go and caught them up at FernTree.

 

A very different monument alongside the track nearing the end of the walk.

A very enjoyable walk in beautiful weather and from the comments made by the walkers back at the car park everybody enjoyed the walk.

We had 15 walkers and covered approx 14.5 kms over 5 hours and climbed and descended 567m.