Old Pack, Wombat Moor and Platypus Tarn Tracks Maintenance

Saturday  19 May 2012

As there was a good turnout for the day, we split into two groups. One lot of 4 went off to complete the drainage on the Wombat Moor track to the Woodland Mosaic, whilst the remaining 10 concentrated on the Old Pack Track.

By morning tea the clearing back of any overgrowing vegetation on the Old Pack Track was done. A temporary sign was also put in to provide directions for walkers. Alan suggested that the Platypus Tarn track was in need of a trim and we decided to tackle that. Once the work on Wombat Moor was completed the others joined with us on the Platypus Tarn work. However, the lesson learnt is that it is always handy to take the jeep track key as access would have got us to the track quicker.

The Platypus Tarn track was given the well needed vegetation trim for some 500 metres of the 730 metre length, plus some drainage work to take away the water running down part of the track. Having 14 people allowed quite a lot work to get done. The remaining length of track will be tackled next month.

Whist we were four walkers in two separate groups used the track, so it seems to be reasonably popular and they constituted a significant proportion of the people walking in the Lake Dobson area that day.

Platypus Tarn track before and after Photos

An album of photos is on the web -  click the image below.   All photos taken by Sue

Platypus Tarn May 2012

Wombat Moor Moraine Mosaic Track and Lake Fenton area Maintenance

Saturday 21 April 2012

A considerable portion of the remaining length of the Wombat Moor Moraine Mosaic Track was drained.  The upper part was drained  along the side and channels trenched to the side to allow runoff.  The lower section is quite flat so a drain was dug down the side as much as possible to exit at the main drain beside the road.

Plant guards on trees and shrubs at Lake Fenton were removed and most then taken by PWS back to base.

Click the slideshow image below to go to the photo album.  All the photos were taken by Sue

Wombat Moor Woodland Mosaic Track

 

Saturday 18 February 2012

The 270 metre track to the Wombat Moor Woodland Mosaic is usually quite wet and parts are muddy.  To help overcome this a drain has been dug on the top side of the track from the woodland down towards the road for about 150 metres or so.  Two cross drains were put in and rock placed top and bottom to help stabilise the track and encourage water to flow across the track  Two old diversion drains were discovered and cleared then drains established from the track to join them.

In most instances the soil from making the drains was placed on the track.  It is hoped that gravel can be placed on top in the near future.

The remainder of the track is flatter and it is expected that the drain will need to continue to the road without diversion away to the side.

Whilst the track work was being done, others repainted the outside window frames at the Lake Fenton hut and some tree guards removed and stored between the Fenton dam and the hut.   More tree guards remain to be done and many have to be cut through as the bushes and trees have grown substantially through the sides.

Click on the slide show below to view the photo album

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Field East Track Maintenance

Saturday 21 January 2012

Some 200 metres of track was worked  from the top of the saddle prior to Windy down to the Moor.   This involved trimming of vegetation and sections hardened with local rock.

Lunchtime

John and Kerry collecting rock 

Rock work on track

Photo slideshow from the day – all photos from Sue

Belton Belcher Track Maintenance

Saturday 10 December 2011

After the heavy rain in the Hobart area on the Friday, the relative dryness at Mount Field was quite surprising  and the 40 minute walk from the road to the Rodway saddle was no way as wet as expected.  The 750 metres from there down to a short scree was cleared of intruding vegetation.  This section of track had never been worked on by the group and it is estimated that it would have been at least 10 years since any work was done on it.  The Friends of Mount Field did clear up the lower section in 2005 and 2006.

A photo album is on the web, including some before and after images.  Click on the slide show below to view it.

Fenton Webster Track Maintenance

Saturday 19 November 2011

From part way down the slope after Kangaroo Moor to the Dobson Creek the track was given a vegetation trim and drains cleared, and where appropriate deepened.  The track was generally in good condition and many sections needed very little scrub clearing.  Fallen trees were also cut through as well as some on start  of the Field East Track

Prepared and painted timber from our Wildcare grant was delivered to the workshop area, readied for helicoptering and stored near the landing zone for delivery to the Lake Belcher hut site.

The team for the day

 More photos are on the web

Fenton Webster Track Maintenance

17th September 2011

Report from Greg Kidd

The forecast was in our favour- 18 with northerly winds and rain later.  I suggested that Greg and Kerry go ahead track clearing while the rest of us set about to attach the galvanised wire mesh to the first section of duckboarding ( approx. 30m.) .  We completed the mesh in an hour and as we left to catch up with them we  wondered how far ahead they were. Fifteen minutes on we heard voices and tools being used - about every 10 steps  branches were cut up and dragged aside. It took about an hour for the 5 of us to clear the track just to get to Kangaroo Moor. We pushed on and stopped for lunch where Reg had cut a dead bough (approx 15 cm. dia.) last time. From there we cleared about 345m. And Reg cleared drains. Kerry and Greg B  pushed on and came across a big dead one in 3 pieces and decided it was too much for his axe and bow saw. And as the air was feeling heavy and clouds were getting darker (2.50) we decided to head back. Besides we needed to get to the Possum Shed by 4.30 !  
We had a great day and I'm very pleased with the work that we  all did……Greg

Photos from the day taken by Reg Hills