Mount King William I ST333 Derwent Bridge, Tasmania, Australia
By
Geocaching Australia on 01-Sep-09. Waypoint TP3472
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | TrigPoint |
| Container: | Other |
| Coordinates: | S42° 13.452' E146° 8.332' (WGS 84) |
| 55G 428933E 5324971N (UTM) | |
| Elevation: | 1278 m |
| Local Government Area: | Central Highlands |
/146.138867,-42.2242,14/400x200?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiY2F1Z2h0YXR3b3JrIiwiYSI6ImNqa2l4ZzNzMDE5bjgzdm1sZGpuODF1Mm0ifQ.q8YMzVyzDJJlJHHV8EMjwQ)
Description
A Trig Point is a virtual cache which requires a cacher to locate the Trigonometric Station at GZ.
A trig point (also known as a Trigonometric Station) typically consists of a black disc on top of four metal legs or concrete pillar, resembling a navigation beacon. It is also accompanied by a metal disc, which is located directly below the center point of the tripod or on top of the pillar itself.
Trig points are generally located at the top of hills or points of prominence in the landscape. Many provide unique views and challenges, with some being difficult to get to.
These points were regarded as valuable to surveyors, providing reference points for measuring distance and direction, and assisting in the creation of maps.
To log a find on the Geocaching Australia website, you will need to include a picture of the trig point, along with your GPS receiver and (preferably) yourself. Long distance / telephoto type pictures are against the spirit of this cache. You are encouraged to leave a description of your journey in your log to help others in finding the trig point.
The original collection of trig points has been sourced from Geoscience Australia and may contain inaccuracies.
Please respect local laws and regulations when searching for trig points. If you believe that a trig point is located on private property or in a dangerous location, you may archive the cache, by clicking on Log this Cache and place an "Archived" log on the Geocaching Australia website.
If you feel that you can add to the description of this trig point or adjust the difficulty / terrain ratings, please feel free to edit this cache and amend the information suitably. Vandalism of the cache description or other information will result in your account being terminated.
Addtional Information
Source: Geoscience Australia
Type: Horizontal Control Point
Elevation: 1323.75
PID: 2948776
Other Information: Geoscience Australia
Swampy: (7/1/12) Turnoff onto Harbacks Road at S42 11.096 E146 09.306, proceed along gravel road to parking area at S42 11.639 E146 09.744 (778m ASL). Follow vehicle track through gate, turn right at cross roads junction vicinity of S42 12.276 E146 09.444. The track then starts to climb passing another gate until a spur is reached, following the spur for approximately 700m before turning right and climbing steeper to the end of the track where there is a walker registration box and log S42 13.351 E146 08.656 (1079m). From here the climb gets steeper inversely to the horizontal distance travelled. A short climb precedes the crux of the walk when the first antenna tower becomes visible. The fire cabin (igloo shaped building) has been built directly over the top of the survey mark. Most other reference marks still visibile - follow link to see survey plan Surcom database ST333
Logs
Back then there was a lovely smooth road that went to the start of the track.
Between the two gates was forestry, after the second gate was for the fire spotters to drive to the start of the track.
The gates were locked then so the walking distance was the same.
Back then I wasn't as fit as I seem to remember the walk taking all day.
Who took the igloo?
Today it took me 1 hour to walk th the start of the track and another 40 minutes to get to the top.
After spending 20 minutes on the top I was back at the car in 1.5 hours.
I have plucked quite a few mountains in Tassie off in my time but the views from Mt King William are easily the best I've ever seen.
Ive no doubt it helped having perfect weather so picking the right day is crucial to enjoy it like we did.
Another aspect that made it unforgettable was the company of Oldsaint, Dippy and Wilco. The giggles and practical jokes we have start from the moment we head off to the late hour we return home.
Its also nice to have the safety and the support as we walk together plus being able to share the memories in years to come make it so much more enjoyable than going alone. 
Its hard to pick a fav moment in the trip as there were so many! Dippy coming out of the scrub with an armful of fossils pretending she was going to carry them out was priceless. Oldsaint feeling close to his recently departed Dad was something that brought a tear to my eye. Wilco managing to get me to my feet out on the ledge was a level of trust that goes beyond anything Ive ever challenged myself to do before. The fossil collecting, the tadpole collecting, the snow fights, Oldsaints jokes, and even the Maccas for breakfast and tea were all brilliant.
I could go on for hours but the main message is to all cachers is that if you are to bag one mountain in Tassie then make it this one!
Merryment and laughter all day! Breakfast at Macca's - Bridgewater; some caches before arriving at the car park area to commence this walk.
The weather was perfect for us today.
The track for the first part of the walk follows a "fire trail" and then it breaks into a true bush walking track. On the first section of the track, still plenty of laughter as locationless caches were completed. Even got into some fossil hunting until Dippy looked at me and said "You don't need to look, you are one!" Hysterical laughter errupted from all of us.
Parts of the second section of the track are rather steep. But the shriek of joy from red tag upon arrival at ground zero would have woken the dead.
We lingered here for round an hour just taking in the 360 degree vista. Magnificent!! Awe Inspiring!! Little bursts of "thunder" just created more laughter, as did the snow ball fight!
We managed to "log" the cache at 1345hrs.
The return trip was just as exhillerating as the one in. Logging more locationless, more fossil fossicks and sheer magic at having participated in such a perfect caching day.
A few more finds were made on the trip back to Hobart, finishing our day with another "meal" at Macca's - New Norfolk.
Thanks to Dippy, red tag and Wilco for your excellent company and a memorable caching day.
TFTC and cheers
OldSaint.
I have attached a couple of pages from a walking book about the track as it may help future visitors.Picked just the right day for it, I feel.
Overcast which meant not too hot and not too cold. Lots of flies and mozzies until I got to the top where there is a mild breeze blowing and 360 degree views for about 120 km. Could name Frenchmans Cap and Dolly Hill but all the others are too numerous (plus I wouldn't know them anyway...)
Trip took 2.5 hrs with PUSHbike to get to the top (bike left at registration box) -See gallery for GPS track
Damn it! I should have bought a cache to place!
Parked at coords listed in description, didn't realise at the time but the whole trip is uphill. Rode the first section until the fallen tree (first of 4 or 5) then seemed to push it the remainder although there were a few places I could ride it. Found the second gate as the descent got steeper and continued to trudge along. Eventually I got to the end of the vehicle track where I found a walker registration box. So far it has taken 1h40m to get to here. Tied up the bike and started the uphill climb to the top. I have memories of Groovy Church Music flooding back just after the 2 hour mark and at one stage I'm using my hands to help climb up the face of this mountain. This last section from my bike to the top took 50 minutes - Surcom has 45. The bottom section has lots of fallen leaves making it very slippery and because its also alpine, there are lots of small trees/shrubs starting to grow over the track. My GPS indicated 483m to go, my track log has about 610m. Change in elevation is 245m so thats about 2.5:1
Once at the top I spent some time checking out the structures and taking photos and had a bite to eat. Now the descent. I was able to get down fairly quickly but there seems to be more than one way down - I lost the track a couple of times but it isn't hard to pick up again. Back to the bike took 20 minutes. Deregistered and got on the bike for a very different return trip. There were a couple times I had to get off the bike to walk the harder parts as they were steeper than the rest of the trail and the rocks a lot larger. Better safe than split my head open!
The bike trip took around 25 minutes back to the NTrailTB and I was able to ride all the way back except those nasty bits and the trees across the trail.
A very satisfying day, picking up the required 5 or 6 before arriving here. *FTF*
