Almost Grasstree Hill - 3 May 2022

The walk today the group has undertaken a couple of times with the last time being in 2019.

The day is fairly over cast but forecast to be fine and warm although when we arrived at Risdon Brook Dam the wind was fairly strong and cool.

 The walk involves following a trails and tracks between the Dam and Grasstree  Hill.

On a closer inspection what most of the group initally thought was a stray cow lying down behind a pine tree instead turned out to be nothing but an old burnt log.

Climbing away from the dam.

There was a bit of discussion about how this block of sandstone ended up on the top of a hill with no apparent road access.

Walking through the remains of some old stock pens.

And a stock ramp.

Nature can do extraordinary art work at times.

We are now on the start of the real climb.

 

Our morning tea spot provided plenty of seating for everyone to recover from the climb.

Although one of the ladies took it upon herself to investigate the hole in the tree next to where we were sitting only to be suitably surprised to find the hole inhabited.  Needless to say both the lady and the possum peering out of the whole were as surprised as one another.

The walk followed along under a line of small sandstone outcrops.

Another version of Nature's sculpturing abilities with a dead tree.

This not insignificant dead tree appeared to have been sawn through all the way around its trunk and one wonders why it's still standing.

A happy group forming up for a dance around the first Grasstree.

A rock formation in the sandstone cliff with an entrance hole to the top level.

Looking toward Midway Point and the Causeway.

And that hill is the top of Grasstree Hill but there is a steep gully and climb between where we are and the top.

  Looking across toward Barilla Bay.

Lunch after looking at the top of Grasstree Hill.

More of Nature's art work with this copy of Sydney Nolan's "Ned Kelly" painting.

Commencing the return journey.

Even in the reasonable dry area we walked there were still some interesting fungi.

Another of the steep descents.

And obstacles.

The wind had died down by the time we returned to the Dam.

A walk around Hobart would not be complete without a view of Mt Wellington.

 

There were 13 walkers in today's group who covered 10.71 kms in 4 hours and 35 minutes and climbing 391 metres in total.

Click this link to download GPX file.