Mt Anne Circuit reopens 13 Dec 2021

[headwerkn]

Finally! Been waiting a long time for this one.
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From: https://www.premier.tas.gov.au/site_res ... 3_december

Mount Anne Circuit and Lake Judd Track to reopen 13 December
The multi-day Mount Anne Circuit and the day walks to Lake Judd, Mount Eliza and Mount Anne will all reopen on 13 December following works to repair extensive damage from the 2018-19 bushfires.

Contractors and Parks and Wildlife Staff have been working hard to rebuild more than 11km of hardened track, 4000 steps, 20 bridges and a toilet block on the challenging 34 km Mount Anne Circuit since early 2020.

This $3.5 million project was funded through the Community Recovery Fund and importantly was completed utilising Tasmanian contractors and locally-sourced materials.

I would like to thank all those who have worked so hard to reopen this stunning wilderness track in time for the upcoming holiday season, including PWS staff, contractors and specialists.

I’d also like to acknowledge Hobart’s Hilary Wallace and her late husband Allan whose support through Wildcare’s Wild Bushwalking Tracks fund has added more than a kilometre of timber-planking, tent platforms and a new toilet at Lonely Tarns, as well as a new toilet at Shelf Camp.

Anyone planning to undertake the multi-day walk of the Mount Anne Circuit, staying at Shelf Camp and Lonely Tarns, is asked to register their walk via the free online registration system.

The walker registration system was introduced by PWS to manage daily departures and to reduce the potential for long-term damage to remote bushwalking environments.

The daily departure cap for those wanting to camp at Shelf Camp and Lonely Tarns is 12, with toilets now provided at both locations as well as tent platforms at Lonely Tarns.

Overnight walker registration for camping at Shelf Camp and Lonely Tarns opened today.

The Mount Anne Circuit is an alpine walk suited to experienced walkers who are prepared for the ever-changing conditions.

Walkers are encouraged to read the Safe Walking Guidelines, the Walk Safely video, the Hypothermia Safety video and use the Walker Pack checklist, available at: https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-pa ... y-in-parks

To register your walk, please visit the EventBrite website: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/mt-anne ... 9386097917

[north-north-west]

Another one sanitised to death.

Does that mean that if you camp elsewhere you don't need to register?

[headwerkn]

One man's santisited is another's appropriately hardened and managed maybe? We all know the walk is going to see a tonne of traffic, various sections of the route are known for being boggy, that's obviously not going to work out well long term.

Hopefully it reopening will at least now take a bit of pressure of Lake Rhona and some other areas.

I'm assuming that if you're doing a full circuit, yeah, you need to book. Taken by the letter of the announcement, you probably don't if you just say at Memorial Camp overnight, say if you're just doing Mt Anne, Eliza etc. As with the other tracks, trail runners don't need to book if they're doing the loop in a single day.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Website says something like booking is highly recommended. Read into that as you will.
It's my understanding that off track or passing through areas where you need to check in you don't need to book. It's just to avoid the platforms and designated areas becoming overcrowded.

[biggbird]

Good news. Sounds like the rest of the Arthurs next summer from what I have heard?

[ILUVSWTAS]

Good news. Sounds like the rest of the Arthurs next summer from what I have heard?

Depends. Might come down to funding. And with the upcoming court battles over PWS pet heli tour program they might drop out of favor if that doesn't fall their way.

[headwerkn]

I did read somewhere Eastern Arthurs' reopening was slated closer to winter 2022, but can't find the reference now so many it's been removed. Obviously anything could happen in the meantime. The work at Mt Anne was beset with weather delays from what I heard. Building supplies are also in extremely short supply right now, so that could have an impact.

I'm not too familiar with the Huon/EA tracks but I'd assumed the infrastructure required out that way wouldn't be as involved as for the (more popular/heavily utilised) Mt Anne Circuit? That said if phytophthora management is a primary concern then perhaps they're intending on laying down some serious duckboarding? That won't happen quickly.

Booking system isn't compulsory or enforced but highly recommended. As you say, read into that as you will. Based on previous experiences, don't expect a high level of compliance over summer.

https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-pa ... gistration

Camping off-track/away from designated areas isn't "allowed" though I'd interpret that as, if you're doing the "normal" circuit, you have to use the existing, designated camp sites and avoid setting up further down the track at the nearest flat piece of ground just because things are busy. If you're actually going off track into another area away from the main route, well then that's fine. Same rules as off-track circuits from the Overland Track etc.

[Azza]

I'm not too familiar with the Huon/EA tracks but I'd assumed the infrastructure required out that way wouldn't be as involved as for the (more popular/heavily utilised) Mt Anne Circuit? That said if phytophthora management is a primary concern then perhaps they're intending on laying down some serious duckboarding? That won't happen quickly.

https://parks.tas.gov.au/be-involved/ne ... post-fires

From the website:

The burnt ground has exposed a not so welcome change, and it has brought new challenges. Unfortunately, Phytophthora cinnamomi (rootrot fungus) has been confirmed to be spreading in three sites along the Eastern Arthurs Range Traverse, including the Cracroft Plains and Strike Creek.
To protect the landscape and outstanding environmental values of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area - it is essential to limit any spread of this fungus.
Works to rebuild nearly 4 km of tracks in the Eastern Arthurs will commence in December, with the aim of completing the works by late autumn 2022, for this section to reopen. There will be extended sections of hardened track, and several major realignments planned, to prevent further spread of Phytophthora within the Eastern and Western Arthur Ranges and adjacent valleys.
The Cracroft Crossing campsite was ravaged by fire, and is now surrounded by Phytophthora infected ground, so is no longer a suitable site. An alternative campsite (within 200 metres) provides shelter from prevailing winds, proximity to a water source and is well-drained. It will be ready when the track reopens.

Indicative reopenings
​Mount Anne Track (including Mount Eliza), Lake Judd Track, Moun​t Anne Circuit – 13 December 2021​
Huon Track, McKays Track – autumn 2022
Eastern Arthur Range Traverse – late autumn 2022
Western Arthur Range Traverse (north/east of West Portal) – late autumn 2022

[north-north-west]

headwerkn:

There was a lot of duckboarding in the Cracroft area which was burnt and that is the main reason the eastern end of the WArthurs has been kept closed. Then they found the phytophthera.
Hard to take their concerns seriously when nothing has been done about the erosion and bog problem between Scotts and Junction Creek.

[headwerkn]

Thanks NNW. Agreed, Scotts to Junction is quite a mess and really needs extensive work to protect the plains.

[Nuts]

Hard to take their concerns seriously when nothing has been done about the erosion and bog problem between Scotts and Junction Creek.

(assuming they are underfunded) the bogs are going comparatively nowhere, while the phytophthera will.

To lessen impacts on the range, and act as some sort of a first line of defence, for the unprepared, maybe that section should go last? Maybe it should be left legendary, assuming P&W really are not intending to develop the WA walk, as they are at Frenchmans.

[headwerkn]

To lessen impacts on the range, and act as some sort of a first line of defence, for the unprepared, maybe that section should go last? Maybe it should be left legendary, assuming P&W really are not intending to develop the WA walk, as they are at Frenchmans.

My thoughts exactly. I hate to see the scar on the land, but you can't argue a good mud bath isn't a fair deterrent to the uncommitted and ill prepared.

'Fixing' those sections would only further increase visitation into the area, which is already problematic.

[weetbix456]

Another one sanitised to death.

Does that mean that if you camp elsewhere you don't need to register?

I don't believe that basic style toilets and tent platforms are necessarily a bad thing for a walk so frequently trafficked. This is the type of track infrastructure I'd love to see more PWS money thrown towards. I'm still on the fence about track hardening (especially mass boardwalk) for places such as the Judd plains - even though tracks will spread no doubt with consequential environmental detriment, it does add a natural element of defence which may help keep walker numbers somewhat reasonable. One thing that concerns me a little is the potential for walkers to get sucked into a false sense of security with newly-fabbed tracks at either entry point to the circuit, only to be fully shutdown unawares at places like the Notch.

On the booking system, I'm trying to be optimistic...as I can't for the life of me think up a better current solution. As long as it remains free, and people learn to a) respect the limitation on numbers per day, and b) are open to walk intention alterations in the event of unfavourable weather - I think it can work. Yesss...yadda yadda we can all go on about the fact we can still walk off track in the park without booking - but those that are able and already do, already know that - so I think hissing on about it on here only further encourages more people to bypass a system that I do believe (hope) is intended to try and minimise our environmental impact and enhance our trip experiences across our amazing walking network.

[kestert]

Yep, the alternative to the booking system is 50 people turn up at Shelf Camp when there's only room for 12.

I'd rather have to reschedule or choose something different than turn up somewhere and it be massively over-crowded.

[north-north-west]

OK, leaving the registration question out of it, I have to eat certain words on this one.

While the promo has been more about the trackwork making the circuit more 'user-friendly', it has actually all been done in the old TasPAWS ethos of what is needed to minimise impact and no more.
From Condo Ck to High Camp, the deep eroded gullies have been filled in with compacted fine gravel and a gazillion low steps constructed, with box drains and/or flow diverters. A few sections have raised parallel planking, again with steps where needed. A little of the burnt scrub has been cut away from the track at the start of the climb up to Mt Eliza. There are still some short sections of the old natural surface, but all where erosion has not been an issue.
Red Tape to the start of the climb out of the Anne Plains is similar, but mostly raised parallel planking with only half a dozen or so sections of the old natural surface. The highest part of the sidle around Schhnells is almost untouched, still a little wet and muddy, still very narrow (could actually have done with a bit of chainsaw work). Chainsaw and brushcutter have been used on the climb from the plains to the plateau near Sarah Jane, but only moderately and mostly lower down. Nothing else has been done to that stretch, so it's still wet, sometimes boggy, and increasingly narrow and overgrown closer to the top.
There are four reasonable sized platforms (each large enough for two or three tents) at Lonely Tarns , a dunny and the connecting planking, all tucked into the scrub by the outlet creek of the northernmost tarn, and that's it. Platforms look to have been constructed from the remains of the now deconstructed Waterfall Valley hut; the smell of varnish remains.
Shelf Camp has had a dunny installed and nothing else; there isn't even a sign there yet telling people where it is, although the ranger there did say that there would be one eventually.
The rest of the circuit is unchanged - even the bits that could have done with some clearing such as the *&%$#! ridiculously overgrown scrub between Sarah Jane and Lonely - and, as there are plenty of camping options other than Shelf and the official Lonely site, I can't see the curmudgeonly old buggers like me being deterred by the changes. The ranger (entirely coincidental he was there when I staggered into Shelf Camp) didn't even ask me whether I'd registered, although checking on that was his ostensible reason for being there.

So, all round, it's a thumbs up. I do, however, have one major concern:
If what I experienced coming down Eliza is and will be the norm, there are probably going to be more rescues needed down there, with people who previously wouldn't have considered the area being encouraged by the welcoming look of the repaired track sections. I got three people back onto line (one solo and then one couple lower down) who had missed an obvious turn just below the start of the scrambling and were heading up the wrong way, showed another group how to get up the least obvious and steepest part of the boulders, and gave lessons on looking for cairns and wear on rock to distinguish the route to about ten people. Not a welcome addition to the day of an grumpy antisocial old fart.

I still don't understand why the route goes the way it does, either. There are far easier lines from the Notch to the side of Frances Bluff than the one the track takes. There's one really nasty bit of rock that could be entirely avoided by continuing to sidle just another 20 metres or so rather than insisting on climbing up just there. Suppose, like the Eliza scramble, it helps to filter out some of the wannabes.

[tastrax]

Thanks NNW. Agreed, Scotts to Junction is quite a mess and really needs extensive work to protect the plains.

Buttongrass plains dont need protection - they recover quite well even after extensive trampling, or fire. Its the alpine areas where the most damage is done with minimal walkers. Its usually just a discomfort to walkers. If they cant handle a bit of mud on the plains then they should not be in the area and will likely struggle on the rest of the walk

I hate seeing the PWS relying on philanthropists (ie Wildcare donors) to fund campsites and toilets and I will almost guarantee that the local Rangers annual budget has not been increased to service the toilets.

[CBee]

I don't know what all the fuss is with Scotts Peak to Junction creek. Apart from a handful of small mud patches, is either duckboard or solid hard track.

[Old Fart]

To add to the discussion

Tasmania Police
7m ·
A Hobart man has been rescued from Mt Anne after a fall while descending the summit today.
His walking companions alerted emergency services after the 32-year-old fell 15 metres.

Two intensive care paramedics were initially winched to the location. Once the patient was assessed a third paramedic and doctor were winched into the location by a second helicopter.

The man was stabilised at the location and then winched to the helicopter before being flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical but stable condition.
A second walker who was also a member of the injured walker’s walking party was winched from Mt Anne after not being able to make the descent from the summit. This walker was transported to Hobart.

Hopefully all involved are ok - looks like it was the scamblley bit on the summit block not contoring around the other side

[headwerkn]

Shelf Camp has had a dunny installed and nothing else; there isn't even a sign there yet telling people where it is, although the ranger there did say that there would be one eventually.

LOL we didn't even know it was there until someone mentioned it the following night at Judds Charm... ironically after everyone had complained that Shelf Camp is a crappy place to have to... well, take a crap. A sign would be a wise investment!

Otherwise Shelf Camp was surprisingly good, and managed ok with the dozen-plus tents about that night. As you'd expect just after Xmas there were tonnes of people on track, but both Shelf and Judds seem to be carrying all the loopers OK. Obviously lots of people just going in and out of Mt Anne and Lake Judd.

Cheers, Ben.

[BLOODNUT87]

Carpark was overflowing when I was there last week now there is a new post about pws ranger annoying some sook that was up there at shelf camp app lol

[muddy99]

...at Lonely Tarns , a dunny and the connecting planking, all tucked into the scrub by the outlet creek of the northernmost tarn...

Hey nnw, are the new tent platforms by Lake Piconne or Judds Charm? Not sure if you're counting Lake Piconne as one of the Lonely Tarns or not? There used to be muddy campsites by both...

[Tazz81]

Judd’s charm. The platforms now make it one of the nicest camps in the SW. The dunny is a bit “open air” though and shade is at a premium, but it’s an amazing spot.

[north-north-west]

Judds Charm. Piccone is, fortunately, still wonderfully unspoiled.

[muddy99]

thanks guys!

[Lostsoul]

Carpark was overflowing when I was there last week now there is a new post about pws ranger annoying some sook that was up there at shelf camp app lol

That sook was me…maybe go back and read my original post properly and maybe slowly as well

[tomtom]

Is anyone able to report on the state of High Camp after the fires and rework? I'm looking at an overnighter just up to Eliza. I remember there was the small hut and a couple of tent platforms but it's hard to find any official info what's still there. Cheers!

[SueOfTheSouth]

The hut is still there and a toilet, but no tent platforms.

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

[RobbieG]

Early morning on Judds Charm

I think the work done to the Mt Anne circuit track is very well done. Praise where praise is very much due. This is an extraordinary part of the world and the work done has achieved a great balance. We are so incredibly fortunate to have this country available to us. I don’t think it gives sensible people a false sense of security. By the time you have got to shelf camp and with a sensible bit of reading/asking preparation you should have a pretty good idea whether you should continue or not. Climbing Mt Anne is also a pretty straight forward decision for a sensible person. You either have the skill and assistance from others or not. I didn’t. Likewise at the notch. The pads at Judds Charm are fantastic and strike a really great balance in preserving a delicate area. Overall the best walk I have ever done however my 69 year old knees did take a couple of weeks to recover

[kestert]

Hope it's okay to bump this thread.

I'm thinking of doing the Mt Anne circuit over the Queen's funeral weekend. Pretty confident with it all, but just looking at the weather; looks like it might be pretty wet on at least the first day, and wondering about how exposed the Shelf camp might be? I guess my question would be if people think they would have a miserable time if they were camping there in the rain? Looking at the forecast I am hopeful that the next few days after will be better but obviously I'll make a more informed decision about the whole thing a bit closer. My tent and gear is very much rated for 4 seasons.

My ideal plan is something like:

Thursday: Camp at Shelf Camp and summit Mt Anne
Friday: Camp at Lonely Tarns and side trip to Lot's Wife
Saturday: Complete circuit.

But I am tossing up staying a an extra day just at Shelf Camp or Lonely Tarns and coming out on the Sunday. If the weather is poor possibly just stay at Shelf Camp for a day or two and then walk back down the way I came. I've read conflicting reports about "the notch" but perhaps might not be a good thing to attempt in the rain?

Thoughts?

[headwerkn]

Unless you're really comfortable on big boulders and steep terrain, from Shelf Camp, across The Notch down over Mt Lot is probably best done in drier conditions. We did it in dampish conditions, definitely had to be careful in some spots.

I've not done it myself, but according to the wisened bloke I spoke with at Lonely Tarns, Lots Wife from there is still a decent 2-4 hrs return trip. Depending on your speed from Shelf Camp and the weather, you might struggle for time on your second day (this time of the year anyway).