The track to Mt Anne via Mt Eliza starts from Condominium Creek and its car park.  We planned to walk some way up the Mt Eliza track. First we approached the registration ‘shed’. I was very impressed with these sheds at the start of serious bushwalking tracks.  This one had a map showing the different routes and walk options in a circuit, if you wished, including summiting Mt Anne.

We started off along the track and, again, we cleaned our boots.  This time I noted the brushes were well used and partially flattened. This suggested the track was often used or had been used by many people recently. 

I liked the old sign reminding walkers about the dangerous conditions which changing weather can make.Until I saw the fine line of snaking track up the first slope I was a happy walker.  The only good thing to be said about hills is that while you ascend and when you reach the top you get to see superb panoramas.   Well that is a great deal!  But it is always an effort.

 But before reaching that hill, crossing a swampy plain was required.  While duckboards were in place from time to time, there was lots of water along the normal track so care was required not to submerge our feet.

 Once the hill started, the only way up was via steps of uneven height so that getting a rhythm was impossible.  Quite awful really and I understand this is the way the track continues for a long long way. But seeing how wet the ground was, trying to walk that steep landscape without a track would be very difficult.  I hope you spot the sky reflected in the water on some of the steps, as shown in the following photos. 

 I noticed holes in the muddy ground next to the track. These reminded me of similar holes seen when visiting the area around Corinna on the Pieman River in the southern Tarkine, earlier this year.  So are these the holes of a Freshwater Burrowing Crayfish?  The Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service provides the information that “Some species live in button-grass moorlands, where they play a major role in soil turnover, drainage and aeration.”   I saw these holes in button grass moorlands.  A blogger  has seen the holes on the Port Davey track (which is comparatively close by) so I feel reasonably confident, that ‘my holes’ are those of one species of Freshwater Burrowing Crayfish.As usual I was delighted to be in the bush, looking out the higher I went.  Unfortunately, by now it was late afternoon so reluctantly we returned to the car.  No regrets. Just glad for the experience we had.

Back at the Pedder Wilderness Lodge, we showered, and dined very well – again. Richmond had won the AFL Grand Final and some guests were particularly happy –after 37 years, a premiership was something to celebrate.  Before long I was in bed early, and happily so after a brilliant day. Like the first night, I slept solidly.