Tinderbox Hills - 26 Sep 2023

This walk  is a new walk for the group following the opening of the track for the length of Tinderbox Hills by the Kingborough Council.

The track is easily followed along the ridge line of the Hills with views through the trees.

And some short sharp climbs.

We soon start looking for a spot for morning tea.

The view across the Derwent River towards South Arm and Opossum Bay.

One of the small dams along the track showing the lack of spring rains for this year.

Native Indigo in bloom.

The track wandering through the larger trees.

Initially there was discussion about this being the remains of a weather balloon but following closer inspection and the bird nesting box attached to the tree it appears to be scientific equipment for monitoring the bird population, probably the endangered forty spotted pardalote which is know to live in this area.

A minor deviation away from the track towards the two telecommunications towers near the end of the walk allowed us to wander across a grassy knoll that afforded good views of Mount Wellington and a comfortable early lunch spot.

Mount Wellington from the grassy knoll.

Relaxing in the warm spring sunshine.

Even dead trees have a magical form.

One last look over the river before we complete the walk for the day.

A very pleasant short walk very close to where most of us in the group live.

We had 22 walkers today who completed the 8.9km walk in just under three hours climbing 280 meters.

Old Hobartians Circuit - 19 September 2023

We have done this walk a few times in the past but due to bad weather it was cancelled the last time it was scheduled.

Today we set off in bright sunlight looking forward to a good day's hiking.

Across the New Town Rivulet and a short time later we reach the start of the Old Hobartians Track where the real climbing begins.

In next to no time almost an hour has passed and it is time for morning tea.

We found a pleasant sunny spot overlooking the rivulet.

After morning tea we continue up the track passing these rock formations

Still climbing we get a glimpse of Lost World and Mount Arthur on the other side of the valley

Not sure what is going on here as everyone seems to be focused on something different

 Still climbing

Crossing one of the tributaries of the New Town Rivulet

After 4 kms of solid climbing which took 2.25 hours we reach Hunters Track (we gained just under 700 metres in height ... working out to a gradient of over 17%) .  From here the walk is almost entirely downhill - you can see genuine smiles as the decent begins

 

A shortly time later we stop for lunch - the rocks provide comfortable seating as well as a great view of the northern suburbs of Hobart

Continuing along Hunters Track on our way to Junction Cabin

Passing by Crocodile Rock

This photo shows the gradient of the surrounding hills

After a short break at Junction Cabin we take the Brushy Hill Fire Trail and then the Lenah Valley Track to the New Town Falls (very dry with barely a trickle of water)

Continuing along the Lenah Valley Track

Home straight - almost back at the cars

11 walkers had an enjoyable walk covering 11kms in 5 hours.  As can be seen from the elevation chart the first 4 kms was a steep climb - once on the Hunters Track the rest of the walk was a constant decent back to the starting point.

Click on this link to download GPS file