Devils Throne

From the track junction on the saddle of Thark Ridge this track is quite noticeable and leads over the saddle to a rock scree.  Below this scree the pad is starting to overgrow a little and it goes in parts directly down the slope where there are distinct signs of water eroding the pad surface.  This is not a particularly large problem but has the potential to become worse if the route is used to a greater extent.

There remains a somewhat eroded spot at the bottom of this section where it joins the old fire trail, from there it is  on a contour and quite stable.  Natural revegetation is taking place along this bit.   However once the junction with the plain is past the pad traverses a very wet area and as the pad simply crosses it in a fairly direct line there is considerable potential for braiding to occur with increased use.  There is an option of rerouting this section to the harder edge of the plain.

Once the plain is crossed the route enters woodland with a rocky base for most of the journey to the Devils Throne lookout.  There are occasional cairns through this section.  It does cross two low areas but erosion does not seem to be a problem here.   The vegetation through the woodland seems to thickening and parts of the track are more obscure than in 2002, although in general usage is sufficient to keep it quite obvious.

From the Devils throne lookout up to Thark Ridge the track is distinct but appears only lightly used.  Some tapes exist and cairns between Roaring Creek  and Thark.
The descent from the lookout goes down a south easterly slop and is often a bit slippery, but the usage isn't enough to create mud patches. From Roaring Creek up the pad is on an area where water drainage is substantial and many parts are often wet.  Eventually the high section of plain is reached which is also quite damp, then enters woodland at the foot of Thark.  It climbs up beside small cliffs and rocky areas, reaches a scree with cairns and with some old fading paint marks then finally crosses to the middle of the ridge to join the main track

Below is a map of the route and further down is an aerial map of the wet area

Map of track to Devils Throne (North and South Routes)

The two areas that need closer assessment are marked on the map below.

 

Aerial view of wet area leading to Devils Throne

The line marked in blue is the suggested route to be investigated for viability.

The red line is the existing track