We’ve done a number of trips to Mt Field. Below are some of the areas with a brief description, as well as my memory will allow!
Lake Dobson to Twisted Tarn (via Lake Webster) – January 2015
I believe taking the Lake Webster track to Twisted Tarn is a less common route for people to take. We did it as the first leg of a three day, two night, trip. We headed around the eastern side of Lake Dobson and Eagle Tarn, before taking the Lake Webster Track to Twisted Tarn. It was a long and uneventful walk, with a steep, sweaty section leading to the refreshing Twilight Tarn. Later we were glad to have come this way, as it would have been a slightly tedious way to end the walk. From Twilight Tarn we continued on and camped at Twisted Tarn for the evening.
Twisted Tarn Hut Inside Twisted Tarn Hut
Twisted Tarn campsite Trees at Twisted Tarn Sunset at Twisted Tarn
Lake Newdegate and Newdegate Pass
The next morning we continued along Lake Newdegate Track. Lake Newdegate is on the three-way junction of this track, Tarn Shelf Track and K Col Track. The lake has a duckboard area on the edge that is a great place to stop for a rest, and a hut as well if you’re after some shelter.
We then continued on the K Col Track which took us up a rocky ascent to Newdegate Pass. The change of scenery makes the effort worthwhile! There is an open plain with tarns scattered everywhere. This is easy walking with duckboard all the way.
Lake Newdegate Ascent to Newdegate Pass Newdegate Pass Newdegate Pass Newdegate Pass
Mt Field West peak
After Newdegate Pass we continued along the K Col track that drops down and becomes swampy. This took us toward Rodway Range. We found a cliff face to sit atop and ate our lunch, before continuing to the junction of the Mt Field West Track. Heading past Peterson Memorial Hut, we set up camp at Clemes Tarn. This allowed us an easier walk with a day pack only, to the peak of Mt Field West. From memory this was an easy walk, during which we came across a White Lipped snake. There is a bit of a climb up to the plateau, passing Naturalist Peak as you go. After short final scramble you’re at the top of Mt Field peak. We spent quite a bit of time enjoying this one. It had been a long day, the weather was great, the view amazing, and there were butterflies fluttering around.
Peak view Peak view Peak view Peak view Mt Field West peak Sunset Clemes Tarn camp We went for an explore from Clemes Tarn White Lipped Snake
K Col to Lake Dobson via Rodway Range
From our Clemes camp site we kept on Mt Field West Track back to Lake Dobson via the ski fields. This was a challenging walk over varying terrain whick kept it interesting. After an easy start there is a significant boulder climb to reach the top of Rodway Range. This is well marked, so we didn’t have any trouble finding our way. Once on Rodway we walked along the range, down through the Lions Den (an impressive valley of huge rocks), and down the steep descent to the ski tow area. After the ski fields the last section is down a windy vehicle road which isn’t too exciting.
K Col & Mt Field track junction The Lion’s Den The climb to Rodway Range, K Col hut in the background View from Rodway Range
Tarn Shelf – February 2016
Tarn Shelf is one of the more popular Mt Field walks. From Lake Dobson we headed up the steep bends through the snow fields. This is easy walking with well maintained duck-board a lot of the way. From the shelter the track becomes rock/gravel.
Day Shelter near Rodway ski tow View of Lake Seal Possibly Robert Tarn Always great to see a wedgie!
Once on the shelf it’s a great walk past a number of tarns with the Rodway Range on your left, and the view across to Mt Bridges on your right.
Johnston Tarn Johnston Tarn McKenzie & Johnston Tarn View back towards Lake Seal
As the track nears Lake Newdegate it drops down to meet the K Col and Lake Newdegate tracks. This is a good spot to stop – either in the hut or the board-walked area at the edge of the Lake. We back-tracked, but a good option would be to continue on the K Col Track to complete a circuit.
Lake Belcher – December 2016
During this trip we decided to try something different to the standard Lake Dobson start. The trail head to Lake Belcher is at Wombat Moor, around 1km prior to the Lake Dobson car park.
Starting point The track Muddy sections early on
The track heads off across a flat, sometimes muddy plain, taking you around the back of Mt Mawson. It then goes through some light forest and down to the lake, where I wished I didn’t have bare legs. This section of the track was scratchy and boggy.
Lake Belcher Shelter approximately 500m before the lake The track was quite boggy in parts Black Cockatoo
The lake itself isn’t particularly scenic. It was great to be out walking, but this would rate as our least favorite Mt Field experience.
Ski field – September 2013
Our first ever walk with a decent pack was up to the Rodway ski-tow day shelter in the snow. We did this as ‘training’ for me to do the Overland Track back in 2013. For two walking newbies it was quite a challenge! Beautiful scenery.
Lake Seal Robert Tarn Lake Dobson – frozen
