At last, with the greenlight given, work got underway in creating a new route to replace the degraded and slightly difficult old track. The old way also has a dangerous crossing of large boulders in one part of it.
On reaching the marker tapes placed out previously, we fine tuned the route and work soon got underway. A surprisingly 210 metres of track was made by the five of us, which was quite an achievement. We find the work very satisfying and enjoyable.
There remains 300m below to reach the Devils Throne Track and 180m above to the Thark Ridge Track still to clear. Each end will be done last and signed posts placed to direct walkers along the new track
Suddenly the Heat Arrived
Old Farm Site
Tuesday 3 November 2020
It had been quite some time since we worked in warm conditions and it meant we were looking for shade during morning and lunch breaks, rather than as in previous months, seeking the sun to sit in.
Some big patches of Erica were removed and also a few large Gorse bushes. This leaves just one patch of Erica and some Gorse to go.
For more information on the Old Farm site go to this webpage
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| Site A Before One of the remaining patches of Erica |
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| Site A After clearing |
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| Site B Before |
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| Site B after removing the Erica They are ferns behind and a pile of cut weed on left. |
There is a photo album from the day here.
Erica Thicket
Old Farm Site
Tuesday 6 October 2020
After 2 days of constant rain, Tuesday was a lovely warm and sunny day and ideal conditions for working. A large thicket of tall Erica remained from the last event at this site and big inroads was made on it. A further 20 square metres of this patch remains, plus a stretch of smaller Erica and a number of Gorse bushes, all flowering profusely, not that another season will have much impact on the seed base.
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| Site of massive tall thicket of Erica |
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| Big inroads made on the thicket of Erica |
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| Fungus Ascomycetes Morchella elata Old Farm Site Main FT Photo Bec Johnson Morchella elata is a species of fungus in the family Morchellaceae. It is one of many related species commonly known as black morels, and until 2012 the name M. elata was broadly applied to black morels throughout the globe. Like most members of the genus, M. elata is a popular edible fungus and is sought by many mushroom hunters. |
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| That looks tasty |
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| Morning tea Photo Bec Johnson |
No Longer Considerably Overgrown
Mount Marian
Tuesday 4 February 2020
The first 250 metres of the track to Mount Marian cross a relatively flat area subject to seasonal wetness and was overgrown.
Within the track corridor several cutting grass bushes were impeding access and were removed using a winch, which is a very effective method.
At the start of the track, the Bauera dominated vegetation, was cut back with hedge trimmers. Other parts were cut with loppers and several Tea trees were cut out where they were growing vigorously and blocking the way.
We cleared all the way to the rockier ridge and from there the track is more obvious, but still needs some maintenance.
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| On the ridge Lincoln, Corrine, Greg and Andrew |
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| Winching cutting grass Greg, Andrew & Adrian |
Overcoming a Water Problem
Old Hobartian Track
Tuesday 8 October 2019
Water from a small creek had worked a way below the surface to seep out onto the Old Hobartian Track. A drain had been added to divert the water but the track often remains muddy. The plan was to add rock to provide better passage for walkers.
The channel to drain water away was widened and deepened. The area of track downhill was hardened with rock, including designing some to act as steps. This should ensure the previously wet and muddy post of the track remains dry for walkers. Parts had got wider from people trying to avoid the mud and we rehabilitated these.
The site is approximately 600 metres from the end of Lenah Valley Road and it was a joint effort with the City of Hobart staff.
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| Some of the workers, Jeffery, Lindsay, Greg and Logan |
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| Pleased with the work Logan, Peter, Jeffery and Greg Photo Lindsay Ashlin |
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| Step and drain added |
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| New steps and rehabilitated edges |
Friends of Wellington Park 