Around six in the morning I left Hobart and began the long drive up the midlands highway towards Launceston, across to Deloraine, through Mole Creek and into the Walls of Jerusalem carpark. With a few stops for coffee and a bit of time selecting the final bits of gear from the car it was 12:30 when I signed the log book and started walking up the hill to Trappers hut and the plateau beyond.
From the carpark to Trappers hut is a relatively short stretch at 2.5km, however this section gains about 380m in elevation and with a full pack it can be a bit taxing on the legs. I got to the hut in just under an hour, where I had a drink and chatted with a couple who where off on a day walk. Leaving the hut the track continues to rise, keeping to the left hand junction at the Lake Adelaide turn off ensures you are heading to Wild Dog Creek and the main Walls of Jerusalem area.
After another short climb the track opens out onto the plateau and stunning views of alpine lakes and tarns emerge. To the West the peaks of the Overland track are visible on a clear day and the view Southeast in the direction of the track are dominated by King David’s peak. The walking across the plateau is straightforward and in fine weather will not provide much of a challenge. In poor weather and snow it can be difficult for less experienced walkers.
The walking passes lots of small tarns and bigger lakes before descending to Wild Dog Creek. This was my destination and I arrived just after three in the afternoon.
The camping area is made up of three areas accessed by tracks coming off the main trail leading further into the park. The top track has the sites toilet facility and currently the sites for commercial operators (a new site is being constructed at present). I chose to camp on the lowest of the levels to avoid noise and they are a bit more open which seems to keep more of the flies and mosquitos away.
Once I had set up my tent, my GIANT tent which I was testing out this trip (Hilleberg Nallo 2GT, I bought it for hiking with my son so we have a place to cook if the weather is bad) I went over to the grass area and stripped off and dumped a bit of water over me for a rinse as the walk up the hill was quite sweaty in the peak of the days sunshine. I spent the remainder of the afternoon reading and cooked a nice lentil dahl for dinner. The sunset that night was spectacular and I took way too many photos as I sipped my vodka ration for the night.
The next morning was warm again and I started to notice how much drier the whole area had become since my first walk in the area in 2000, 20 years ago. A salted caramel porridge and strong coffee got my senses going and I had packed my day pack ready to head towards Mt Jerusalem at 8am. I followed the track up the hill towards King David’s Peak, took a detour to the facilities and wandered into the central Walls area. Walking in the central area is stunning you are enclosed in an amphitheatre of stone with peaks rising on both sides and a magical view of Mt Jerusalem between the Temple and Mt Ophel.
I continued across the central walls following the boarded track to Damascus Gate which is the junction for ascending the Temple and King David’s peak, the latter via King Solomon’s Throne. These peaks weren’t todays objective though and I continued towards Dixons Kingdom Hut. This hut is not an accommodation option and is in a bit of disrepair these days. Camping is permitted in the surrounding area and water can be gathered from a nearby creek, toilet facilities are also available here as well.
The track to Mt Jerusalem departs NNE from this area and is fairly easy walking by Tasmanian peak standards. The ascent is gradual and only a few small sections are steep, fantastic views are available on the ascent and some of the best are from the top. On the way you pass numerous small tarns, a small plateau before the last rise to the top.
From the summit I dawdled my way back to Dixons Kingdom hut and had a leisurely lunch on the grass before retracing my way back to the tent. The afternoon was warm and it was quite relaxing in the shade with a good book. The following morning I packed up and walked back to the car in about two hours. A coffee and burger in Deloraine was on the cards.
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Categories: Peak Bagging Walks, Uncategorized, Walk logs
Adventure by Mark 
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