Penguin Cradle Trail

[headwerkn]

Did the PCT+OLT last week too and yeah, Leven Canyon is a bit of a mess to say the least! No surprise given we're barely out of winter, the NWWC wouldn't have had a chance to get in there and do any maintenance and few people have been through of late.

Navigation particularly in the first section between Dobsons Flats and Blackwood Camp can be quite problematic, substantial tree falls and land slips over very steep terrain meant that staying on the trail could be a real challenge at times. Very easy to lose the track if you're not careful. From Blackwood Camp on it was a bit easier to stay on the route (track markers appear to be much more frequent?) but still a lot of broken timber to scramble over. Coming down off Dukes Lookout/Griffiths Ridge is, as Mcspud mentioned, a tad perilous and possibly a little dangerous with heavy packs, lots of smashed timber to impale yourself on over slippery and unstable ground. Don't expect to move fast through this section anyway, for the time being.

I'll post up some photos when I've had a chance to sort through them. All that aside, the Penguin Cradle Trail is darn awesome and some of the most scenic and rewarding walking/trail running I've done in the state. The work that NWWC put into it to keep it navigable must be immense!

[Mcspud]

We met in the canyon when I had just set up camp. Good to see you made it through the canyon in one piece. Found a broken shoelace along the way and thought of you. Given so few people I knew it was yours. Then see at logbook your shoes fell apart.
Must have been fun with taped shoes lol. Great walk though

[headwerkn]

That was my mate who John was going going for a PCT->OLT->OLT->PCT Fastest Known Time attempt. I started in Penguin a couple of hours later and was on an easier schedule eg. sleeping each night Thankfully my shoes held up!

[headwerkn]

Some pics... forgive the potato quality, most are still frames taken from video.

[headwerkn]

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Pretty sure this landslip area is mostly from the 2016 floods, still quite interesting to get across. Ground is very loose and soft.

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The rocky shore area just before the "rope" climb. My lordy it was slippery here. Tried to go a little higher and was promptly delivered back to the water's edge!

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Was this your trowel then? Found it on a huge fallen tree about halfway down between Dukes and the Canyon Floor track/bends. I thought it was my mate's so picked it up, but apparently it isn't.

A couple of nice camp shots to balance out the carnage...

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Blackwood Camp. Lovely spot.

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Paddy Lake Camp. Alas I was in mist, no views until the following morning as I passed Bare Mountain.

[Mcspud]

No I didn’t lose any gear, amazing really. Had to keep checking my gear as the pack hauls were constant

[headwerkn]

I can imagine! I was hugely grateful to have only a smallish 7kg vestpack with me for the trip... couldn't help but think "man, this would downright suck with a big pack on"

I'll move the trowel to the "Lost and Found" section then!

[EGM]

Awesome photos.

How many nights did it take both of you and did you carry all your food from the start headwerkn? If so then 7kg is very impressive.

I'm considering the PCT for late Dec/Jan.

Edit: I read replies again and saw you said 6 days mcspud, thanks for the track update.

[headwerkn]

Two nights for the PCT - Blackwood and Paddy Lake Camps, third night at Cradle Caravan Park. Did the Overland with a similar two overnight stops with a short last day from Narcissus to Cynthia Bay (18km). Was aiming for around 30-40km a day on average though Blackwood to Paddy was always intended to be much shorter (16km) due to terrain and elevation, and I just really wanted to camp at Paddys

I carried food for 2.5 days at a time. I left a dropbox at the Cradle Caravan Park to resupply food/battery bank and some first aid supplies along with fresh clothes/socks for the OLT leg of the trip. This would have saved me at least 1.5kg in terms of starting weight at Penguin. I also packed a towel/shampoo and casual clothes for a shower and nice meal/beer at the Tavern that evening, which was definitely appreciated. Running around and picking up dropboxes and leaving a car at Lake St Clair was a bit of a hassle (and expensive with fuel costing what it does at present) but it really helped to keep the weight down while still staying perfectly comfortable out for six days. Was also nice to get a bit of that "thru-hiking town stop" vibe you read about so much from the other side of the world.

I've been in touch with the Friends of the PCT and maintenance has already begun with more working bees scheduled in the coming months. With any luck the Leven Canyon section will be noticeably easier to pass through by Xmas/NY.

[Tortoise]

Update 22nd October - more damage to the PCT
https://www.facebook.com/groups/200873107878681/

[north-north-west]

It's going to get worse - there's a big low pressure system due to hit Tassie soon. It's supposed to be worst in the south, but the north will still cop a fair bit.
They probably won't even be able to start remediation work until summer.

[headwerkn]

That's really sad about the Lobster Creek Tramway. It's such a lovely section: save for a couple of small trees to climb over, it was clear and pleasant, easy walking. Hopefully the track base itself hasn't been damaged too much. Kudos in advance to the kind volunteers who labour over keeping the PCT open. Must feel like "two steps forward, one step back" more often than not.

Bushwalking in the Tasmanian springtime has always felt like a crapshoot, but in hindsight this year's September/early October was actually rather brilliant. Unfortunately the recent weather now seems to be playing catchup :-/

[vagrom]

Looks a bit iffy.

[gatesy]

Can anyone give an update of accessing Taylor's Flats by vehicle after last month's rainfall?

[headwerkn]

Both Central Council website and alerts.tas.gov.au say it's still closed.

https://www.centralcoast.tas.gov.au/loo ... d-closure/

Maybe give the Council a call and ask what timeframe they've got for reopening. I'm guessing it isn't their biggest priority at present, unfortunately.

[Tortoise]

It's a pretty big job to fix. I gather there's a lot of damage up the road and the approach to the bridge has gone as well.


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[Son of a Beach]

"DANGER" is quite the understatement!

[Lostsoul]

Best access for Mt Lorymer without going through private property?I was thinking from Wings?