Mt Read

[Chrisbulldog]

Walked Mt.Read "track" Sept.3rd with a group. Track in brackets because its the access road to the summit
that is walked on. Even so very steep sections. Amongst the snow at the top were a forest of communication
and a mine access road. Views to Tyndals and Murchison very good.
Access is via a gravel road half way up the Montezuma Falls road to the left. Not signposted.
Good signage on the way showing geology and fauna. Hard to believe a town existed here once.
For the supposed wettest place in Tasmania , we managed to complete the walk without a drop.
Permission is needed to use the road however.

Attachments

View of the summit

P1010371.JPG (170.43 KiB) Viewed 14276 times

View of the Tyndalls

P1010380.JPG (175.19 KiB) Viewed 14276 times

[Nick S]

Ah interesting. I did wonder about this Mt when looking at it from Murchinson. Kinda like being up Mt Barrow with all the comms equipment around.

[vagrom]

Thanks Chris. I had no idea about the permission needed.
There's a famous Huon Pine in the area somewhere, very old. The photos of the old mining town, highest in Tassie made the place look like a jungle shrouded in mists. Yet the top looks as bald as La Perouse. The Scouts may have a place on the way up too.
I forget how close Montezuma Falls are and wonder if they flow off the top, northwards. Looking up from the falls I wondered how many small mining townships had since been reclaimed by the jungle ( like on Mt Dromedary NSW) and what it would be like to come across some of these places. Mt Read Volcanics; the place has so much Tassie history attached to it but like St Valentines, must still be largely in private hands.

[eggs]

Yes - I have driven to the top of Read on two occasions - many years ago.
It seems access is more controlled now.
The area is certainly filled with the ghosts of past mines and towns and railway lines.
But the forest is quick to grow back and hide them away.
I think one of the most amazing places is Crotty - once a town of 10,000 people. Now all that is left is a flattened platform were the smelter once stood.
Although it might now all be under water - I haven't checked if / how far Lake Burbury overlaps the old map.

Montezuma Falls is more a runoff from Mt Dundas than Mt Read. It comes from the valley below Moores Pimple which is the northern arm of Dundas.
The Huon Pines on Read are part of a special reserve well down on its south slope around Lake Johnston. They have been undisturbed for a very long time.

I have been on some of the back roads with a student geologist looking for minerals just for fun.
A great area to explore.
Brian

[Chrisbulldog]

Probably why the access road isn't signposted . In one way with all the towers up there you wouldnt
want too much open access ..but was surprised to find new signs along the way featuring the geology etc.
There is a boardwalk around the Lake Johnson area , which i believe is near the ancient Huon pine ...shhhhh.
Not sure who you need permission from but I can find out if anyone is interested.
No sign of habitation anywhere now ...you wouldnt know anyone ever lived there.

[eggs]

I am not familiar enough with the history of Mt Read, but my impression was that the only historic development up there was on its western side below Mt Hamilton - at the Hercules Mine.

This photo is looking up the old tramway at Williamsford where you can see the residue of the Hercules mine above
http://bushwalk.com/forum/search.php?keywords=I+thought+the+scree+patterns+matched&t=2307&sf=msgonly

I have not been to Lake Johnston, but I was under the impression access was by tour group or research only.
I have seen tours advertised.
Was there a gate on the road?

[Strider]

I think one of the most amazing places is Crotty - once a town of 10,000 people. Now all that is left is a flattened platform were the smelter once stood.
Although it might now all be under water - I haven't checked if / how far Lake Burbury overlaps the old map.

My understanding was Crotty was flooded when Lk Burbury went in.

[north-north-west]

eggs:
Yes, the road is gated not far in from the turnoff.

Funny, I didn't know you needed permission. I just parked and walked up. No-one seemed to mind.

[eggs]

NNW

I know the road up to Mt Read is gated. It was open the last time I drove up [1986]
I was wondering if the track off to Lake Johnston has an extra gate?

And I suspect the statement in the first entry "permission is needed to use the road" - refers to vehicle access rather than walkers.
Drivers would need to get a key.

[north-north-west]

Lake Johnston? Is that the side road that heads off to the mine? It was gated and thoroughly signposted when I was there:

I particularly liked the 'No Smoking' sign.

btw: for me, the most interesting thing was the King Billy regrowth at the roadside. Does anyone know if this is natural or if there's been some replanting/seeding done?

[Chrisbulldog]

Yes the regrowth is natural.Also young myrtle forests growing too. Yes that barricade is still there ..i presume the track
to the lake leads off this road somewhere. Didn't see any other access road or track.