Cape Pillar
26-28 April 2016
After such a disastrous walk to Cape Pillar in October 2007 I was anxious to only go there in light
winds. On that trip I was blown into a rock and suffered deep cuts and a broken
nose and considerable lacerations and of course an abandoned walk. A four-day period was set aside to pick out
three for the walk and fortunately the weather was suitable for them all.
Crescent Bay from Arthurs Peak |
The idea was to use the
old Cape Pillar track for an hour then branch off turning west across several
plains on northern side of Crescent Mountain with final short ascent to Arthurs
Peak by this time using the new Three Capes track which will be followed
through to the junction where it meets with the old track. From there is not a long way to Lunchtime
Creek where the new track swings away on a new route.
Soon after setting out
Agnes Creek was reached where it was surprising to find a tree had knocked the
bridge down and all traces of it had been removed. The creek is however a very simple crossing
on rocks and after a drink we were on our way up to the plains where the old
track had been quite recently trimmed back quite wide. It was on the return walk, after passing two
hut rangers, that it dawned on us that one of the reasons for this would
probably be to make access for them easier.
Arthurs Peak |
Once past the junction
the cleared track ended and the next hour and a bit was mostly pushing through
scrub varying between waist high and well over the head and it was not until
close to Arthurs Peak that it got lower and drier. We cut off from the pad for400
metres to intersect with the Three Capes Track and from there it was high
quality track. Initially involving a climb to get great views to Crescent Bay
and surrounds then down to the sidle Crescent Mountain where the gravel and
rock steps. Once over the plain of Ellarwey
Valley a delightful shelf on the northern edge of Tornado Ridge went through
forest on mostly a gravel track to the junction with the old Pillar track and
then the refurbished part of the old track was followed to the turnoff to
Lunchtime Creek where we camped. I did
make a blunder here by telling Nigel I would leave my blue drink bottle on the
track at the turnoff, but after passing some walkers heading the other way, I
thought someone might pick it and take so just put a few logs over the track
instead. When Nigel failed to appear I realised that something had gone wrong,
and sure enough he had kept going as my bottle was not there to mark the spot; however,
he eventually backtracked and reached camp before dark.
Cape Pillar |
Another nice day and a
most enjoyable walk, initially following the old track, then joining the new
one for the walk to The Blade. There was one quite extensive section of
boardwalk bypassing well to the east of Perdition Ponds, but the rest was good to
travel on and the views from the cliff tops just so splendid. On return we went
via the old Perdition track which is overgrowing rapidly then went on the check
the swanky Munro hut, where the ranger invited us to inspect it, before
completing the circuit to arrive at camp at a more respectable time of
day. We met a lot of Three Capes patrons
during the day and over half of them were in the 20-30’s age bracket with the
remainder over 50’s.
The final day was cloudy
but nice for walking and we arrived at the car at 11 just as rain began, which
soon became quite heavy; good timing.
Distance 40.5k
The upgraded track along the clifftops |
Click on the image below for the photo album
Cape Pillar April 2016
Wow! Thanks Peter for that report. Can see why so many Three Capers are in their twenties. Good going on your part. The upgraded path looks very civilised but I'll bet it's hard going in places. But what views. Oh boy.
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