Julian & Ali Travels


Mt McCall		February 15

		Sunday was a big day. First a drive along the Mt McCall track, then a walk along the Bird River Track. But first, last evening a stroll to the end of our road. And weird seeds.

		Plus the setting sun on Frenchmans Cap.

		Up early, and through Queenstown before the mist cleared. Past the Empire Hotel.

		The first part of the train line from Queenstown to East Pillinger is now submerged in Lake Burbury. The Tasmanian Hydro Electric Commission have a road round Mt Jukes. Up and down 300m.

		And eventually along the shore of Lake Burbury. About here we saw a young spotted quoll chewing on roadside vegetation. The squeal from our brakes interrupted it, disappearing into the bush before camera was turned on. Cute. The spots very obvious.

		Just after a junction for the Bird River Road is the locked gate for the Mt McCall Track. We have a key. And a permit. The track is deep into the Franklin - Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Wary of invasive species.

		The sun has well and truly broken through. At this stage more of a road than a track. Built by the HEC when investigating the possible Gordon below Franklin dam.

		A substantial undertaking.

		Pandani. A tall grass tree.

		Slowly, deeper into the mountains. And higher.

		As the vegetation becomes shorter.

		Views forever.

		The white rock is quartzite. Not the dolomite we saw in the Tarkine.

		Mt McCall.

		About 15km away is Frenchmans Cap. This time its north east of us. We wonder if it really looks the same from all directions.

		Forever mountains.

		And valleys.

		The track a little narrower. But still good condition.

		But now the beginning of a descent to the edge of the Franklin River Valley.

		We missed the turn round area that others have used. So did a 15 point turn here. Far from ideal, we are on the top of a ridge.

		The Franklin River is in the valley in front of us.

		We walked the last 150m. Park Ranger mentioned they use their diff locker for this bit. Not hard, a bit steep with ledges. Just no real reason for us to push ourselves.

		Lots of different plants. No birds. No mammals that we've seen.

		We stop to examine the quartzite. White with grey streaks through it.

		A walk up a random outcrop. Through scratchy vegetation.

		Headed home, north again. More than 50km from Queenstown. Averaged about 15-20km/hr.

		Lake Burbury.

		Just after midday. Just after the locked gate is the Kelly Basin Road. Stage 2 .....

Kelly Basin to Trial Harbour		February 15 -16

Gateway

Comments				Home

Feel free to make a (useful!) comment.