Cradle Mountain

A nice slow start to the day…  It was dripping and cold outside and the moss and lichen covered trees said,  yep, definitely alpine country!!!  I knew I had to get out and move those muscles or I might never move again!

So after a belly full of porridge I loaded up with layers of clothes, plus waterproof pants, beanie, hoodie and rain jacket and gloves, I headed off towards Dove Lake via the board walk from Waldheim cabins.

This crosses a very boggy button grass section and would be impossible to walk through without the boardwalk.  Got quite excited when I spotted my first pile of cubed wombat poo, but was quickly over it when there was so much to dodge.  Think they like to poo up on the dry boardwalk :)

I caught glimpses snow on the peaks when the misty clouds lifted but it was quite pleasant walking along, gawking all about, listening to unknown bird sounds and generally awed by the views of this wild country - so different than anything I have seen before. 

There were Black Currawongs gliding around - another new bird to see - and  I think I also saw a Crescent Honeyeater, but there weren't many birds about - who could blame them in this damp cold weather.

I passed a really still small lake - its surface mirror-like and puddled along up and down the stony and very wet track.  Cycling shoes are not waterproof, but I managed to use stepping stones to keep mostly above the water mostly!  It’s a narrow path and there are times when I wondered whether I was just walking off along a rocky section, but eventually another orange capped post appeared and all was well. 

Lilla lake was a bit bigger than I thought it would be, but the wind ruffled the surface making reflections impossible…   the openness of the lake allowed the wind to flow freely and fast, reminding me of the chilly weather. 

Same applied when I arrived at Dove Lake…  being even wider the wind was whipping across its surface creating small waves and chilly!  I decided not to go down to the Boat Shed, but walked onto the Glacier rock for a view from the other side.

That was enough for me - I needed to rest up for all the cycling ahead, so I walked back to car park and hopped aboard the return shuttle bus, getting off at Ronny Creek and walking back along the boardwalk above the button grass and up the hill to the cabins. 

Time for a hot shower, some packet risotto and a good lay down!  Tick Tick Tick!!