Tarn Shelf
See also the rehabilitation page
Gravel Project
Former Mount Field National Park ranger Trevor Norris left the Friends of Mount Field $5000 in December 2021. A joint decision made with current Mount Field staff was to buy gravel to help harden some parts of the track on Tarn Shelf. Trevor was very fond of the area and the section near Johnston Tarn was our chosen site. The track at this very attractive location has a number of heavily worn sections that have widened, and it is hoped the gravel will help direct walkers and lessen the damage being done.
The local PWS staff assisted with on ground work and transporting the materials, including airlifting gravel whilst a helicopter was in the area during a regular PWS toilet maintenance in the South West.
Initially 12 bags were purchased we spent three days between February and May 2023 spreading the gravel. Funds still remained and an additional 16 bags of gravel were bought and were spread over three day sessions between January and March 2024.
Funds still remain and it is likely that more gravel will be purchased for next summer.
Trevor Norris
Site prior
Same site after rock border and gravel added March 2024
Site with rock edging in place but before gravel.
Site with gravel added
Some of the Tarn Shelf track where gravel has been added
Pad Development
Johnson Tarn North
A new pad has developed in recent years, or at least wasnt suffiocient perominnet to be noticed. But in Feb 2020 it was very noticeable. See photos below
Pad developed at northern end of Johnson Tarn
Pad at northern end of Johnson Tarn
Pad at northern end of Johnson Tarn
Johnson Tarn South Side Pad
Hardened in March 2011 and now looking quite good. There remains a short area nearer the tarn needing some protection
Gradually improving at Johnston Tarn Feb 2017
Pad prior to work March 2011
Pad prior to work March 2011
Pad after work March 2011
History of Activities
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Prior to doing work on the Tarn Shelf, the window frames in the Rodway Shelter were sealed with silicon. Some areas previously worked on the Tarn Shelf were upgraded and most of the remaining pile of hessian was placed on bare areas to encourage rehabilitation.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
This was a day that gradually warmed from a brisk 5 degrees with mist to the mid teens when the sun eventually broke through. Some 300 metres of track was worked on, including four sections over a metre in length that were completely hardened with rock.
Saturday 15 Nov 08
The forecast for the day was not ideal but we took the punt that there might be only an isolated shower or two at Mt Field. Although the day started not overly bad there were some light snow showers and several more serious flurries at times, however soon after lunch it became quite heavy and the wind became blustery so we knocked off and returned to the cars. On arrival back at the vehicles we got a decent lot and plenty of snow entered into the car boot as we packed things away.
Saturday, 8 December 2007
Some 280 metres of track was worked on, with several sections being hardened with rock and duplicated tracks closed off. Marker posts were used to make the track location clearer and to indicate closed sections. Hessian that was already stockpiled on site was laid on eroded and boggy sections.
Sunday, 6 May 2007
Marked a single route for approximately 640 metres of the Tarn Shelf track, commencing from just north of Rodway Shelter Hut and finishing close to Johnston Tarn. The work included inserting closed cross signs, marker poles and directional markers, placing rocks to harden bogs, using rocks to delineate closed off sections and draining wet areas of track. An old pile of Hessian netting was made use off to place over degraded ground between MacKenzie and Johnston Tarns. Bushes overgrowing the boardwalk between the ski tow fence and the turnoff to the Tarn Shelf were pruned.