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Performed on Saturday 19 September 2015
For several years the Friends of Mount Field have harboured the ambition of reopening access to Beatties Tarn. The original track was very badly located and simply went the shortest route, including a substantial portion through a very wet sphagnum flat through which the tarn outflow spread.
The park management plan suggests a re-route of the Beatties Tarn side track and rehabilitate the old track. A suitable route close to the old was marked out with PWS staff and is about 320 metres of track of which 80 metres is the existing but overgrown track and the remainder is rerouted but close to the former track.
We also had more impetus with the centenary of Mount Field National Park occurring in 2016, as it seemed a nice idea for the group to provide tours to Beatties Tarn as a contribution to the celebration.
None of us thought that the 320 metres of track could be cleared in one session, but this is what was achieved. One part of the reroute crosses rocks and many have been moved about to make walking easier.
The track now passes through a flat area of very nice bush to reach a short boulder field where the rocks have been manoeuvered to allow relatively easy passage. It then drops down to bush again before veering west through some tall old tea tree to meet the original track just below a short boulder climb. It is then along a dry level section to reach Beatties Tarn at a very pleasant spot beside the water with a good vista. It takes about 10 minutes from the main track which in turn is about 20 minutes from the Lake Dobson Road.
Although the track is now open for use we plan to return shortly to finish off the boulder section plus work on those on the retained part of the track. There is also a short wet area at the very start at the junction with the Lake Nicholls track to harden.
We really like the beautiful and tranquil Beatties Tarn.
Saturday 24 October 2015
We had a good day. Weather was pleasant all day. We had morning tea and we soon had a plentiful supply of good rocks to place in the softer areas of the track . One member commented that it was such a great place to work. On our way in we noted how worn the track looked. A group from N.S.W. were impressed with our work.
Rocks done we headed down to Belcher's Track had lunch and trimmed about 200 metres. Knocked off at 3.00 and headed for coffee where we also had a look at the laid rocks and the boulders for the new park signage which includes a big rock ( 10 tonnes ) which was lifted in position with a 23 tonne excavator and 3 cubic metres of concrete. Work has also started on the cafe extensions. Parks staff mentioned that there has been a lot of public interest about Beatties Tarn track. A track junction sign for the track has been ordered and will installed later this year.Greg B at the small potentially damp area now hardened with the rocks shown.
Greg K at Beatties Tarn contemplating the work remaining
Photos by Kate using our tablet camera
Saturday 19 December 2015
It was a good day to have a lunch time BBQ because of the prediction of above 30°in the valleys meant we would be out of the sun well before it peaked.
The first task of the day was to install a sign to mark the Beatties Tarn track, and although a few rocks were encountered at the track junction, sufficient soil was present to allow the task to be successfully completed. A most pleasant break on the shore of Beatties Tarn was made even more so by the absence of pests, such as mosquitoes, march flies and other irritating gnats, even though conditions for them were favourable.
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