Lake Skinner - 26 October 2021

On an overcast day 8 intrepid walkers set out for Lake Skinner.

Initially the track is on the shadow side of the ridge and therefore typically ferns, mosses lichens etc. After climbing for about 2kms it reaches the top of the ridge and the vegetation suddenly changes to alpine - plenty of rocks with sparse trees and bushes.

A misleading sign if every there was one - notice it clearly states 3hrs return to Lake Skinner.

The next sign is more accurate as it lists the walk time as 4-5 hours and grades it as 'Hard'.

After checking in and cleaning our boots we are on our way.

We had our morning tea while standing up as the narrow track didn't have any 'seating'.

Chris points out a log that has been prepared for use on the track as part of the 'boardwalk' but was never laid down.

Natures art!

No I'm not going to smile

Just planning where to put my foot for the next 3 steps

Finally Lake Skinner with Sally enjoying her lunch in the bright sunshine

Beginning of our return trip

Some plants grow anywhere

Can anyone guess what Margaret is doing?

Lyn walking the plank

Continuing the walk back

Very relaxed once the walk is completed

All up today we walked for 5hrs 15 min covering 6.61kms of which 430 metres was climbing.

Clark Cliff Taranna 12 Oct 2021.

 This walk is a new one for the group led by Bob. The weather is good and everyone is looking forward to exploring a new area.

We arrive at the parking area about 10.30am.

Getting a briefing from Bob about what we can expect on the walk.

Following an old forestry road to the start of the walk.

Commencing the walk on an old forest track.

A late morning tea.

Bird Orchid possibly Chiloglottis Platychila which may have been damaged by insects.

Another orchid not quite open.

Signage along the track directing us to the Norfolk Bay Lookout.

Obviously if you are a tree its best not to grow too close to another tree when you are in an area on high winds.

From the Norfolk Bay Lookout across the Bay.

A fallen tree's roots trying to emulate Leytton Hewitt's on court antics after winning a point on the tennis court.

Watch your head boys, not all of us had to duck.

Its a nice stroll through the understorey.

An interesting moss plant attached halfway up a small tree.

Native Laurel starting its spring growth.

Some of the rainforest experienced during the walk.

This was quite a large tree that had fallen across the track resulting in a bit of a diversion going around it.

A group of nearly black fungii growing around the tree roots.

Signage directing us to the Musk Forest Lookout and our lunch spot.

Everybody trying to get into the act of looking for the best spot to overlook the Musk Forest.

Then we moved onto to the Clark Cliffs Lookout for more photo opportunities.

 

 

The sign says it all.

Looking across Storm Bay towards Bruny Island and the South Coast.

 

A panorama trying to catch the whole view.

 

 

Commencing the descent off the ridgeline and into the rainforest.

 

One of a number of small creeks to cross on the way down.

 

 

 

 

The waters in these creeks was very clear.

 

 

Obviously some serious consideration was given by the engineers and power line workers to ensure that the powerlines did not cause a fire while negotiating their way through this radiata pine tree.

There were 10 walkers who traversed 7.5 kms while climbing 320 metres over 3.2kms and descending the same height in just 1.9kms. The walk took 4 hours in total.

Comments by the group were along the lines that it was a very good walk in an interesting area and all would be willing to undertake it again in the future.