Dooleys Heritage Trail #15 Tasmania, Australia
By
sirius Tas on 03-Sep-13. Waypoint GA6436
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | Traditional |
| Container: | Small |
| Coordinates: | S41° 20.541' E146° 10.292' (WGS 84) |
| 55G 430686E 5422906N (UTM) | |
| Elevation: | 126 m |
| Local Government Area: | Central Coast |
/146.171533,-41.34235,14/400x200?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiY2F1Z2h0YXR3b3JrIiwiYSI6ImNqa2l4ZzNzMDE5bjgzdm1sZGpuODF1Mm0ifQ.q8YMzVyzDJJlJHHV8EMjwQ)
Description
Cache is on the western bank adjacent to Spellmans Crossing.
Access is via the Groove Creek track...see maps and notes at.....billshep1.wordpress.com/
or you can continue on from the previous caches, depending on fitness or you can walk north from Spellmans Bridge crossing the river at Spellmans Crossing(may not be possible in winter).
All logs and debris have now been cleared all the way to Spellmans Bridge.
A huge thank you must go to Bill Shepherd and Max Richardson who have spent many years in track building and on going maintenance. When Bill isn't spending 2-3 days per week
on the Dooleys trail network he's out rebuilding a bridge or two and clearing tracks all over the district. Many thanks also to Chris Dennis and others from the NWWC who help make
these trails available to us all.
Also, could Geocachers please note any fallen logs or debris across the track in their cache log as an aid to keeping the trails maintained.
Any possible help in maintenance would be greatly appreciated as well, as these trails cover a large distance and maintained only with limited volunteers.
The cache is a small black sistema container with log book, small swaps and biro.
Enjoy the walk!
Hints
Orfvqr jrfg fvqr bs genvy, onfr bs fznyy hcghearq ebbg onyy, pbirerq jvgu ebpxf. |
|
Decode |
Logs
Set out to do Dooleys Trail with Goose&Egg and Stainless steel rat, a beautiful area and worth a visit but not for the faint hearted if you do the entire trail at once. I left a scout behind in all the caches that were big enough. tftc
This was the first cache after a wet river crossing that we made a complete meal of messing about choosing the best spot to cross when we should have just got on with it, the Tazscouts on the other hand just walked over in their boots, Mrs Tazscout paid the price of wet feet and boots for the rest of the day.
Not to say the rest of us had made a good choice either, I had planned on bringing a spare pair of boots or crocs but didn't dig them out before I left home, that was a very very bad idea.
I have done wet river crossing before but this was far more taxing than I remember with the river bed being very slipy and every footstep had to be planned with me working my bare foot into the rocks in the river bed so I wouldn't slip and fall over, in the end we all made it over without falling over but it took time and broke our rhythm which cost us time.
We all had fun but all wish we had planned it better, if I was doing it again I would make sure to take a pair of spare anything with grip on the sole and a towel to dry my feet, wet boots on a short walk is ok, wet boots and feet on a long walk is not.
When we did the crossing it was summer and was only up to just below our knees, if its been raining or a different time of year the water could well be up to your waist.
The cache I have no idea what we did as it was more about the jouney but the fact that the CO had replaced it a few days ago had us all amazed about the amount of hard work put in to maintain this series, this is a walk I will remember for the rest of my days.
Found at 10:30
Not to say the rest of us had made a good choice either, I had planned on bringing a spare pair of boots or crocs but didn't dig them out before I left home, that was a very very bad idea.
I have done wet river crossing before but this was far more taxing than I remember with the river bed being very slipy and every footstep had to be planned with me working my bare foot into the rocks in the river bed so I wouldn't slip and fall over, in the end we all made it over without falling over but it took time and broke our rhythm which cost us time.
We all had fun but all wish we had planned it better, if I was doing it again I would make sure to take a pair of spare anything with grip on the sole and a towel to dry my feet, wet boots on a short walk is ok, wet boots and feet on a long walk is not.
When we did the crossing it was summer and was only up to just below our knees, if its been raining or a different time of year the water could well be up to your waist.
The cache I have no idea what we did as it was more about the jouney but the fact that the CO had replaced it a few days ago had us all amazed about the amount of hard work put in to maintain this series, this is a walk I will remember for the rest of my days.
Found at 10:30
Rated: for Overall Experience
We spent a lot of time working out just where we should cross the river, well all of us except Paul who just went for it. Some chose to wear boots in the water, other went barefoot. That was difficult as the rocks were slippery but I appreciated putting on my dry socks and boots 
No problem with this nice new container.
No problem with this nice new container.
Rated: for Overall Experience
This geocache has been disabled for more than 90 days so we'll archive it to stop it turning up on the search lists. If the cache can be confirmed at the location then the owner can reactive the listing by placing an unarchived log against it.
Just received email from "Far from Grey".....who had found the cache washed up on a beach....not sure where as yet.
Obviously the latest floods have claimed this one and maybe others nearby.
Will get out to replace when river levels subside.
Cache was still intact...though log was wet....quite a journey.
Cheers sirius.
Obviously the latest floods have claimed this one and maybe others nearby.
Will get out to replace when river levels subside.
Cache was still intact...though log was wet....quite a journey.
Cheers sirius.
This one was pretty obvious, so not a problem. River was easily crossed, and nice to continue on the shady side under the trees and ferns.
Rated: for Overall Experience
The last of the caches in this series attempted today. They have been on our 'to do' list for so long and it was good to finally get some crossed off. No excuse really as we only live 4kms from the start of the track. This one was a quick find after crossing the river. Really would have liked to keep going but we only had the info for nos 20 - 15 so will come from the Alma Bridge end soon and attempt the others. Thanks, a thoroughly enjoyable day caching!
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found on our caravan and caching holiday to the North West coast, finding caches that had been published since our last vist and this was one of them.
Today we targetted 8 caches along this stretch of the trail. We parked at the car park for Secluded Falls and walked, skated and slid down the hill again. The first couple of caches were along relatively flat terrain and the track weaved beside the river. Evidence of recent track clearing was appreciated and today we noticed the ferns shooting new growth after the recent rain.
The terrain became steeper and challenging as we proceeded along the track engaging the mountain goat in us. 3 hours after we left the car park we arrived at Spellmans Crossing. Here we rested and had lunch ready for our return journey which saw us back at the car 6 hours after we left.
Thanks sirius for all the effort gone into placing these caches and clearing the track.
Today we targetted 8 caches along this stretch of the trail. We parked at the car park for Secluded Falls and walked, skated and slid down the hill again. The first couple of caches were along relatively flat terrain and the track weaved beside the river. Evidence of recent track clearing was appreciated and today we noticed the ferns shooting new growth after the recent rain.
The terrain became steeper and challenging as we proceeded along the track engaging the mountain goat in us. 3 hours after we left the car park we arrived at Spellmans Crossing. Here we rested and had lunch ready for our return journey which saw us back at the car 6 hours after we left.
Thanks sirius for all the effort gone into placing these caches and clearing the track.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Congrats to 2y'stassies on FTF...return walk from the Secluded Falls carpark definitely not for the feint hearted...well done.
Many thanks also for the help in keeping the trail clear of debris....very much appreciated.
Many thanks also for the help in keeping the trail clear of debris....very much appreciated.
Having found #14, we headed off to #15, the last on the western side of the river. We were nearly lulled into a false sense of security as the track was flat as it followed the river bank. The one problem was a large tree which had fallen over the track. It was too big for us to clear - it will need a serious (or Sirius?) tool such as a chainsaw. We were able to push our way through without getting too scratched. Then the track climbed (drat!) but, thankfully, not as high nor as steep as other sections we had walked today. We then got to a relatively level section before finally descending back to the river bank not far from Spellmans Crossing. Accurate coordinates led to another quick find and another FTF at 11:55am. Again, the cache and it's contents were in good condition. After signing the log, we looked at Spellmans Crossing. The water was flowing quite swiftly in this part of the river and although sections were no overly deep (may have been able to wade across with the water at thigh level), we assumed that the rocks underneath could have been quite slippery with "pot holes" between them. We were very glad that we had not included a crossing of the river in our plans for today. It may be OK in summer when there are low flows.
We then commenced our walk back - what was downhill before was now uphill and vice versa. We were getting tired and had to be particularly careful of the slippery sections. Both of us took a couple of inglorious descents to the track. We got back to the junction of the Groove Creek Track and Dooleys Trail at 2:30pm and then took a rather slow climb back to the car. We got back at 3:15pm, 15 minutes under 7 hours since we had left. We were tired but elated that we had managed to complete the demanding walk, find the six caches and manage six FTFs - all in a wonderful area we really enjoy. The finding of the platypus really topped off a great day. The weather was also kind - just the occasional very light shower but for most of the time, bright sunlight. (Then it was a quick trip back to town as Mrs y'stassie had a tutorial to take at 4pm).
We only walked in and back and that taxed our fitness and mental resolve. It did, however, give us a little appreciation of the work done by Sirius Tas. His contribution to clearing the track cannot be underestimated. As well as doing what we did, he did it multiple times and carried a chain saw and machete to boot - lots of evidence to show that both had been well used. We don't know how he managed it - you are a legend Sirius Tas and we really appreciate what you have done in creating this series. Hopefully others will make the pilgrimage along Dooleys Trail and come to appreciate the wonderful area and the work done by Sirius Tas, Bill Shepherd, Max Richardson and members of the North West Walking Club to make this unique area available to all.
We then commenced our walk back - what was downhill before was now uphill and vice versa. We were getting tired and had to be particularly careful of the slippery sections. Both of us took a couple of inglorious descents to the track. We got back to the junction of the Groove Creek Track and Dooleys Trail at 2:30pm and then took a rather slow climb back to the car. We got back at 3:15pm, 15 minutes under 7 hours since we had left. We were tired but elated that we had managed to complete the demanding walk, find the six caches and manage six FTFs - all in a wonderful area we really enjoy. The finding of the platypus really topped off a great day. The weather was also kind - just the occasional very light shower but for most of the time, bright sunlight. (Then it was a quick trip back to town as Mrs y'stassie had a tutorial to take at 4pm).
We only walked in and back and that taxed our fitness and mental resolve. It did, however, give us a little appreciation of the work done by Sirius Tas. His contribution to clearing the track cannot be underestimated. As well as doing what we did, he did it multiple times and carried a chain saw and machete to boot - lots of evidence to show that both had been well used. We don't know how he managed it - you are a legend Sirius Tas and we really appreciate what you have done in creating this series. Hopefully others will make the pilgrimage along Dooleys Trail and come to appreciate the wonderful area and the work done by Sirius Tas, Bill Shepherd, Max Richardson and members of the North West Walking Club to make this unique area available to all.
