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We were running out of time, so we had to
skip the longer stretch of the Overland Trek through the idyllic Pine Valley. Instead we
took the more direct route to Narcissus Hut, at the edge of Lake St. Claire. Pictured
here, Mike and I rest our legs on a bridge across Stony Creek. |
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| Mike and Chris hiked ahead, so that they could attempt
to radio the "boat-man." (Although Lake St. Claire is world heritage territory,
they allow a boat to carry hikers across Lake St. Claire for the last stretch of the
Overland, but bookings are essential.) Mom and I took a more leisurely pace on this last
day of our hike. This stretch was much easier than the rest of the Overland--bright wooden
walkways traversed the otherwise untouched moors and flatlands, which lay beneath the
smooth blue-black faces of surrounding mountains. Pictured
here, Mom B. traverses a newly constructed one-man bridge across the Narcissus River. |
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Here is a view of the last bit of our hike to Narcissus Hut...see
what I mean? |
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We reached Narcissus Hut early that evening, and relaxed at the
campsite, enjoying a huge dinner composed of nearly everything we had left in our
backpacks! While we ate, we were thrilled to hear and see pandemelons (at left) all around
us. Later in the evening, a possum (at right) scouted out our camp in the hopes that we
would be careless and leave our food sacks within easy-access. |
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| The next morning we saw the notorious (and deadly poisonous) tiger
snake, sunning on a stack of wood a short distance from our tent...sorry, this guy is shy
and had slithered away before I could even think about taking a picture. Chris and Mike were disappointed that we weren't able to get on the 9 AM
ferry the next day (New Years Eve). Instead we had to wait until after 11 o'clock. They
thought about sucking it up and hiking the 19 kilometers to Cynthia Bay, all the way
around Lake St. Claire, but fortunately exhibited better judgement. This hike around Lake
St. Claire is supposedly gorgeous, and we wished we'd had another day so that we could
complete the Overland properly. But it just wasn't meant to be. As it was, the view from
the back of the old and rusted boat was spectacular. It was a somber day, already tinted
with nostalgia and the hope that we would be able to return to Tasmania so that we can
spend more time in this heavenly place. |
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