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A much better route from Thark Ridge to the rerouted Devils Throne track is possible and would be relatively easy to create. It is better from both a walking and environmental perspective.
A much better route from Thark Ridge to the rerouted Devils Throne track is possible and would be relatively easy to create. It is better from both a walking and environmental perspective.
I had a closer look at the possible routes between the saddle at Thark Ridge and the junction of the new track to Devils Throne. A very suitable route was found.
I was conscious that this way could be stymied by rock screes and had second thoughts about getting others to join in with the search. I didn’t want to have to back out right at the start of investigating.
Google Earth gave some hope but still showed lots of scree. However once on the ground some of the apparent scree turned out to just be the top of rocks but the lower vegetation around them that was actually there did not really show up. So, satellite imagery can be a bit deceiving.
Now a pleasant bit of bush away from a track is among my favourite places to be, so it can colour my perspective. Nevertheless, it would still be surprising if others didn’t also feel the route taken between the two points was not nice.
The route did not involve any boulder crossings, was on hard surface, needed relatively simple scrub clearance, was on a gentle gradient, provided pleasant walking and appeared to have a very environmental outcome. The start on the Thark Ridge saddle is on the dry, hard and easy walking south west side. Once on the slope it is again on hard ground and usage will not create conditions for water flow and erosion. Several flat areas are involved and several spots give scenic views. The route exits at the very spot that the new Devils Throne track starts. There are no areas of fast growing vegetation on damp black soils that must be crossed nor sensitive plants. This makes for a low ongoing maintenance
In contrast, the existing track is sited on the shady, soft soiled side and is muddy. For several days after rain or snow melt most of this track has a considerable flow of water resulting in erosion. This can only worsen with further use. Nearly all the bottom ¾ of this track is on damp soils with fast growing plants and is creating both environmental problems and more onerous ongoing maintenance to keep from growing over. But the most disliked thing walkers complain about is the need to cross a boulder field of large rocks. The boulder field is dangerous even in ideal conditions, with large gaps and sizeable drops, but when they are damp or it is windy or icy it is particularly risky.
One other route was investigated, but although still better than the existing track, it did involve a very short scree crossing over flat rocks and entailed more scrub clearance and some alignment work. Interestingly on the lower part of this had old cairns, suggesting that it was probably the original way to Devils Throne. It also crossed some damper soils, although they could easily be circumvented.
The existing section of track is 620 metres long and the proposed route is 840 metres but when kinks are removed it would be more like 650 metres.
June 2017
Photos are available online from the image immediately below here. Each photo can be enlarged and descriptions and a satellite location viewed.To do this make sure the info button is pressed and then click on the map image which will take you to a Google Maps then press the satellite view option.
Photos are available online from the image immediately below here. Each photo can be enlarged and descriptions and a satellite location viewed.To do this make sure the info button is pressed and then click on the map image which will take you to a Google Maps then press the satellite view option.
The park track strategy includes items relevant
368 is bypassed by proposed rerouted track
374 these water courses and subsequent erosion are on the part of the track that will be avoided by the proposal and will effectively be closed.
665 The scree will now be avoided by the new route
Above l-r
Only a mere 20 metres south west of down route but very much dryer and firmer surface Route U
Begiining to gain a little height and easy country
Still very good going 80 metres from bottom
Below l-r
Further up and the first with any scrub much that would need clearing
Open area beside the route which climbs around avoiding this
Only a little clearing needed the route passes the bigger bushes ahead
Above l-r
Level section the first that may possibly benefit froma few rocks near the pineapple grass
Now some 350 metres from bottom and still excellent route and pleasant walking. Route passes along flat area left side
An open area met but route avoids it by following far left side out of picture
Below l-r
A little clearing here to avoid using the wet area of previous photo (IMG_4262)
View over scree none of which has to be crossed The other route D went through the trees beyond it
Close to top of climb Looking back. Not as much clearing required that picture suggests.
Country on Thark saddle south west side which is dry and hard surface easy going Route U Not far from existing track to Devils which is 40 metres on other side of saddle
Photos above show the location of the proposed route. They are taken from the scree on the existing track It runs just above the scree on top left photo which is the small band of trees top left side on photo on right. It continues on the right through the trees.
The photo is from the existing track which goes through a soft damp soil area of low vegetation, but the proposed track is within the tree area to the side that can be seen ion this photo.
A much more appropriate location.
Proposed Route
Proposed Route
Satel-ite Image of proposed route (blue line)
Map with an alternative route D, but this is not nearly as desirable as route U above
Map with an alternative route D, but this is not nearly as desirable as route U above
The Thark Ridge and Devils Throne tracks with the suggested reroute connecting to the newly rerouted part of the Devils Throne track.
the existing track is the dotted line which has a dangerous crossing of quite large boulders and is on a line that encourages water to run down that has both eroded it and caused some boggy bits to develop.
The Friends of Wellington Park assisted Parks & Wildlife Service to install markers on the Thark Ridge track then made recommendations for rerouting sections of the track from Big Bend to the Thark saddle. These were agreed to and the group then cut and the reroutes and continue to maintain the track. These reroutes were to avoid very boggy and degraded areas.
The Friends of Wellington Park assisted Parks & Wildlife Service to install markers on the Thark Ridge track then made recommendations for rerouting sections of the track from Big Bend to the Thark saddle. These were agreed to and the group then cut and the reroutes and continue to maintain the track. These reroutes were to avoid very boggy and degraded areas.
Similarly a wet area on the Devils Throne track was assessed and a new route to avoid the area was proposed and accepted by PWS. The FOWP did this rerouting during 2017.
Similarly a wet area on the Devils Throne track was assessed and a new route to avoid the area was proposed and accepted by PWS. The FOWP did this rerouting during 2017.
The one section of track that remains in an undesirable location was investigated to find a better route and a much improved option was located. This would link the two tracks and make it a safer walk and be a better environmental outcome.
The one section of track that remains in an undesirable location was investigated to find a better route and a much improved option was located. This would link the two tracks and make it a safer walk and be a better environmental outcome.
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