Walls of Jerusalem Guided Walk - departs Nov 2011 through to April 2012

Tour Details

Operator

Adventure Seekers

Destination

Launceston

Departs From

Launceston

Tour Description

The Walls of Jerusalem National Park in Tasmania was proclaimed in 1981 and it is an alpine wilderness made up of mountain tarns, lakes and dominant peaks. This part of Tasmania is known as the Central Plateau and it has been formed by the process of uplifting and glaciation.

You'll be amazed by the grandeur of the dolerite peaks, the serene mountain tarns and the unique alpine vegetation that the park offers.

Wildlife commonly seen includes the Bennett's Wallaby, pademelon, wombat, the possum, spotted and eastern quolls and the Tasmanian Devil.

Our 6 day trek departs in the warmer summer months of November through to April but within these months the weather can still be changeable. The walking requires a medium level of fitness and is fairly easy. You are required to carry a pack of around 15 - 16kg.

Our Walls of Jerusalem trekking tour is an absolutely amazing visual and cultural experience.

Please read our itinerary below to get an overview of our tour.


Itinerary

Day 1: Launceston to Wild Dog Creek – 6km, 3-4 hours

After driving from Launceston your walk starts at the Mersey Forest Road car park and climbs steadily for 2 km to Trappers Hut; a small shelter used by possum trappers in the early 1900’s. From Trappers Hut the track winds its way past pristine mountain tarns known as the “Solomon’s Jewels” and through woodlands of Pencil Pines, Snow Gums and Yellow Gums. Your first nights camp is on comfortable tent platforms at Wild Dog Creek, named by surveyor James Scott in 1848.

Day 2: Wild Dog Creek to Dixon’s Kingdom Hut – 4km + side trips - 6 hours

A short climb up and through Herrod’s Gate brings you into the Walls of Jerusalem. The dominant West Wall with King David’s Peak is on our right as you pass Lake Salome and the Pools of Bethesda are on your left.

Most of the names of the peaks, lakes and tarns have a similar theme and were named by the early surveyor James Scott and also by an enthusiast of the area, Reg Hall.

We stop at the Pools of Bethesda and rest amongst the ancient Pencil Pines and marvel at the grandeur of the West Wall. We then climb to the saddle of Damascus Gate, stow our packs and head for the summit of Solomon’s Throne.

Time permitting we will take in the summit of King David’s Peak and The Temple before arriving at our campsite at Dixon’s Kingdom.

Day 3: Dixon’s Kingdom.

Today is fairly leisurely, but we do get to climb the highest peak in the park, Mount Jerusalem (1459m). The walk to its summit is easy and straight - forward. You’ll be rewarded by commanding views over the Central Plateau and the distant peaks of Frenchman’s Cap and Cradle Mountain.

Day 4: Dixon’s Kingdom Hut to Lake Adelaide – 6km, 3 hours.

This morning you’ll walk through the stands of Pencil Pines of Jaffa Vale on your way down to Lake Ball. Lake Ball is the highest of three, tiered lakes that we camp beside on your walk. At Lake Ball sits a restored trappers hut (for emergency use only), a reminder of the early European explorer, bushrangers and trappers.

We walk along the northern shoreline of Lake Ball then across a small saddle to the northern end of Lake Adelaide and our camp. Lake Adelaide lies at an altitude of 1055m and is the largest of the lakes on your walk.

Day 5: Lake Adelaide to Lake Meston – 7km, 4 hours.

You’ll walk an easy track through medium timber beside Lake Adelaide for much of the day. The vegetation is a mix of stunted woodlands gradually tending towards eucalypt woodlands.

The highland lakes contain fish known as Galaxiids (slender, scale less fish) with one dorsal fin. The platypus also occupies the lakes and tarns of the park and feeds on the small crustaceans in the lakes.

We camp at the picturesque northern end of Lake Meston, which provides a fantastic view of the Traveller Range which sheilds the Overland Track beyond.

Day 6: Lake Meston to Launceston – 9.5km, 6 hours.

From our camp we walk along the western shoreline of Lake Meston to a junction at its midpoint then head north past Lakes Myrtle and Bill before meeting up with Mersey Forest Road. Not far from Lake Meston is Mount Rogoona, which provides a last challenge to the determined peak bagger.

We meet our waiting transport at the road head and then take the picturesque journey back to Launceston.