Life Trove: Mount Fields National Park

Showing posts with label Mount Fields National Park. Show all posts

September 13, 2017

Mount Fields

I love Mount Fields with its giant trees and its sublime alpine scenery. There was a lot of mist on the high mountain so the views were blocked but it was great fun to hike through the thick snow.

Hiking in the mountains

Hiking in the forest

We moved down from the freezing mountains into the warmer forest and explored all the lovely waterfalls. Russell also got lots of geocaching in, finding 7 caches along the way.

Views between Mount Field and the motel where we stayed

January 22, 2015

The swamp gum, Eucalyptus regnans, is the tallest flowering plant on Earth and on the tall Tree circuit walk in Mount Field National Park, we got to meander through an impressive forest of these giants.

I did this walk with Ally before in 2008, and once again, I was filled with wonder when standing at the foot of the trees and looking up.

It amazes me to think that the largest of these trees were growing when Abel Tasman first sighted Tasmania in 1642! It saddens me to think that some of these trees in Tasmania are at risk from the threat of proposed logging.

The Swamp Gums of Mt Field are so high that we had the opportunity to use a clinometer to calculate the height of the trees.

While doing the walk, we gave some impromptu assistance helping a couple find a geocache. Lauren's experience came to the fore and she found in minutes what they'd been struggling for ages to find.

This is my favourite photo of the day. Liz always sets up the best tree photos!

Here's an inscription written on a board in the forest that resonated with me ...

Using all your senses

Take some deep breaths and relax for a while.

Have you noticed any wildlife in the forest? Have you heard the sound of the wind in the treetops or savoured the fresh air?

Our lives are not lived at the pace of the forest. In our culture there is too little time for contemplation.

Why not take a seat? Or lie down and watch the clouds drift past the tops of the highest trees. Be silent. See yourself as part of the forest.

In search of platypus

After our forest walk, we drove to a secluded spot with a river because we'd heard there were platypus there. However, by then it was mid morning and they were nowhere to be found. They like dusk and dawn. Instead, we were welcomed by these gorgeous flowers. And some nice old abandoned buildings which I always love because they are a reminder of the impermanence of things.

Next stop

For our next adventure, we moved onto Freycinet.

Places in Tasmania we visited

Photos by others in the group

January 21, 2015

Mount Field National Park

After Lake St Clair, we moved on to Mount Fields National Park, famous for its alpine hikes, waterfalls and giant tall trees.

Russell Falls

We did a rather wet but mercifully short walk to view Russell Falls. Srini disappeared and then reappeared to frolic under the falls, adorned in his GoPro helmet, to the great amusement (and respect) of all the onlookers. What a champion he is!!

The Tarn Shelf

This hike was one of the highlights of our whole trip. Our 6 hour hike along the stunning Tarn Shelf took us through a wonderworld of gorgeous lakes with amazing reflections. We returned via Twilight Tarn and Lake Webster.

Reaching the plateau after a pretty steep walk up from Lake Dobson.

We were rewarded with gorgeous views of The Tarn Shelf (left) and Lake Seal (right).

Srini embracing the view.

Another view of The Tarn Shelf, a network of alpine lakes nestled on a narrow shelf between The Rodway Range and a sharp drop down into the valley.

The day was overcast mostly but in places where the blue sky showed through, the water sparkled into a gorgeous turquoise blue.

I loved the textures on the rocks in the foreground.

We walked along the shelf and were greeted by lake after lake.

This is one of my favourite photos of our time in Tasmania. Unfortunately I didn't take it. Well done, Zante!

Here we are, exhilarated by all the amazing scenery.

Time for a leap.

Individual leaps, trying to include the reflections.

Some rare "behind the scenes" footage of leap capturing. As you can see, it is an art we take seriously. It requires getting down very low to get the shot!

A beautiful little "Bonsai Tree."

Lots of lovely alpine vegetation.

The Pencil Pines (left) are everywhere in alpine Tasmania. I love them. I haven't noticed them elsewhere in Australia.

Gorgeous moss, with tiny white flowers.

Stunning flowers out in abundance.

An amazing photo of a dragon fly, captured by Liz.

I loved the warm colour and the texture in the rocks.

We arrived at a forest of dead trees. This occurs in many places in Australia. I'm not sure what kills them (flooding, fire?) but it always sets up some great photos.

Srini climbed a tree to get a better view of things ...

... and inspired us all to do the same.

Here we are at the largest lake on The Tarn Shelf.

Later in the morning, the sun came out more and the reflections in the little lakes were sublime.

More reflections.

I absolutely adored this gnarled dead tree. Beauty even in death.

On the way back, we passed The Twilight Tarn. We were delighted to find it contained old memorabilia from when it used to be a popular shelter for skiers back in the day.

Some more photos of the intrepid hikers.

What an amazing hike, one I'll remember for a long while.

Next stop

For our next adventure, we moved onto Cathedral Peak (Mount Wellington).