We decided it was time to break our hiking hiatus, so jumped on the internet to find a mountain to climb! Up popped Mt Anne. After reading various track notes we decided this probably wasn’t the best way to ease back in, so we settled on Mt Eliza, which is on the same track.
Mt Eliza is recorded as a 12km return hike, with an elevation of around 900m (the mountain itself stands approximately 1270m), with some rock scrambling. It’s reported to be a six hour return walk, rated medium-hard. This being our first climb for a while we took it slowly, pausing often to complain about how tired we were, in a total of eight hours.
We left Hobart Saturday afternoon for the two hour drive, and camped near Scott’s Peak Dam. This allowed a leisurely Sunday morning with a big breakfast of bacon and eggs (minus spinach, as a pushy currawong stole it from inside our cooler bag!). We started walking from the Condominium Creek car park around 9.30am.
The first part of the walk is a well-formed track with long steep stair sections. The effort is rewarded early with great views of Lake Pedder and Scott’s Peak behind you. But Mt Eliza and Anne looming ahead leave you in no doubt that there is a long way to go!
Track with view ahead Stairs View back to Lake Pedder & Scott’s Peak View behind
The further you go the more challenging the rocky track becomes. It’s never terrible, but you do need to pay attention where you’re stepping.
Muddy track Rocky track Rock track
As we neared High Camp Hut (where there is a drop toilet), the challenge of ascending Mt Eliza became apparent. Andrew declared that he wouldn’t be conquering this peak today! We stopped for a bite to eat at the hut, and had the good fortune of chatting with a tour guide from Wild Pedder. He was very frank regarding the rock scrambling to come (a couple of precarious spots, but nothing too drastic if you take your time); and his encouragement convinced us to keep going. He even invited us to tag on to his group if we wanted.
Looking back on the way to High Hut High Hut View from High Hut
We headed up before the tour group, having unpacked a few non-essential items to leave in the hut. The ascent from here starts as a fairly shrubby (leg-scratching) track that soon becomes climbing over boulders. Not being mountain-goat youngsters, there were challenging sections. Some sections required stretching (for me at 5″5’ish) and unaccustomed agility (for Andrew at 6″). We took our time and didn’t have any mishaps.
After climbing for about half an hour we stopped for a break and another discussion about the pros and cons of continuing. Looking up it appeared as though it was going to be a few hundred more meters of the same climbing. Great fun but very tiring. While we were pondering a pair of ladies came down the mountain and said it was well worth the effort so we decided to push on. It was only another 50m and the hard climbing was over, becoming rocky track once again.
Climbing More climbing Boulders to climb, with Mt Anne in the distance Looking up at the rocks we had to climb View as we climbed
We made it! And yes, it is a fantastic view. The day was perfectly clear so we were able to see all the way to Mt Wellington and Federation Peak. Green butterflies were circling the peak, something we also experienced on top of Mt Field West.
The tour group arrived soon after, and again the guide was happy to share his knowledge regarding the surrounding mountains and geology. We had made our plans and left so quickly that we didn’t have a map, so this information was very welcome.
View from the top as the tour group arrived On the plateau – a track to explore Smith’s Tarn – View from the peak View from the Peak
We stayed about half an hour, and then made the slow progress back down the boulders. If the climb makes your legs tired, wait for the descent. I was grateful when we arrived back to the well-formed steps, as at least this was less jarring on the ankles/knees.
Heading back down
We were back at the car park just after 6.30pm, then drove the two hours back to Hobart.
This is a difficult walk but worth it for the spectacular views. We were both quite muscle sore the day after; and I’m embarrassed to say I had sunburn on my arms & knees. It’s exposed most of the way with little relief on a sunny day.
A final shout-out to the Wild Pedder tour guides. They obviously love what they do, and were happy to encourage us to get the most out of the walk even though we weren’t part of their tour. Their guests certainly seemed to be enjoying the day!