Today's walk is up to Mount Misery just outside of Ranelagh with access via the Huon Bush Retreat property.
The forecast is for a fine day with little wind at 24C.
Starting the climb up the the hill through previously logged forest.
The first of a number of stumps from large trees felled a long time ago.
The track is well constructed and maintained.
The first of the large still standing trees which we thnk is about 80 meters tall.
One of the markers used for establishing the height of trees.
A view from standing back quite a distance.
Clambering under a fallen giant.
The walk through this part of the rainforest was quite peaceful.
Now the climbing begins
The view from the lookout near the top.
Mother Nature playing around with the form of tree.
The final cliff face where we have morning tea before entering the plateau.
The following two panorama's take in the 360 degree view from Flat Rock plateau.
Sun filtering through old eucalypt leaves as we re-enter the forest.
Trigger plant clinging to the boulder we have lunch on.
The area had a large Bull Ants nest close by and we were all cautious not to get too close,
This fellow though dragged his gumnut up a near vertical boulder side from the ground until just as he got to the level top he lost it over the edge. It would have been about the same weight as the ant.
In one Banksia tree there were these three stages of growth of the Banksia flower.
Chris admiring the mountains of the South West in the distance.
Including we reckon the Western Arthurs.
Lovely little lichens??? hiding alongside the track.
Maybe the Hanging Gardens of Mount Misery?
I read somewhere that tree ferns grow 1-3 cm a year which means some of the tree ferns in this area must be old as the largest eucalypts,ie 3-400 years old.
Part of the group decided that as there was seating provided they should stop for afternoon tea.
Heading down towards the waterfall.
The largest bracket funghi we have seen.
It was large enough to be a tea table.
The Lighting Tree because it was struck with lightning in 2007 which burnt and hollowed out the centre of the tree,
The view looking out into the Huon Valley from near the waterfall.
which was a bit of a disappointment because it was only a trickle behind this lush green growth.
Entering the Lighting Tree from the other side on the return to the cars.
This is a particularly enjoyable walk as it includes a variety of rainforest, alpine shrubs and eucalypt forest.
It took our group of 16 walkers 4 hours to climb the 320 meters and walk the 7.3 kilometres.
