Saturday

It rained heavily all night - loudly on the tin roof of my cosy cabin in the bush but when I woke a cool mist was wafting around the trees and the rain had stopped

The shuttle bus ferried me down to Ronny Creek and after signing the register I set off for Marion 's Lookout with the possibility of reaching Kitchen hut a little beyond.

Several people, including 2 young women bound on completing the Overland Track, also disembarked here and quickly disappeared along the boardwalk protecting

 the button grass. Ronny Creek is the place to see wombats and they also use the boardwalk as a super highway.

The still, cool air made for a serene walk alone however I was surprised to overtake the girls - removing the first leech of the trip!  We continued to meet as we climbed higher.

When I walked this track in 1975 duck boards protected the track and occasionally they appeared to the side now and old track,  now retired, is evident.

Now the boardwalk, covered in chicken-wire rapidly rises and intersperses  with well placed rock steps. There's plenty of loose rock though and water is running down the track.Thank goodness for the tread on my boots and  goretex! - I should have put on my gaiters!

Tasmania has its own palette of green and the rain soaked bushes and shrubs reflect that. Splashes of low heath are covered with brilliant red berries and there were early signs that the deciduous myrtle fagus is beginning to turn - until it reaches its glorious colour in April and May.

Soon the steps begin to rise steeply beside Ronny Creek: the dominant sound is the rushing of water as it falls and foams its way below. Mosses cover rocks and trees like velvet cushions and lichens flower on every surface. Beech trees hide dark, little caves among the rocks. It is so beautiful!

Crater lake appears out of the mist: here the remains of a boat house ( not the iconic one on Dove lake) provides a welcome spot to sit and watch the reflections.

I caught up with girls, removing their third leech! From the boat house the track is made up of stone steps - some quite high - and I was grateful for my walking poles.

An hour from Ronny Creek I reached the last pull up to Marion's Lookout. The girls and I took photos inspired by the stunning views.

Sadly the weather closed in and moments later the rain returned in earnest. I turned back! Completing the last 30 minutes to the Lookout didn't attract me in the rain. 

Slowly I moved back downhill,  passing more than 20 OT walkers burdened with huge packs and cheerfully proclaiming the weather would improve. The rain stayed with me almost all the way back to the bus!

The walk is not long in distance but challenging in elevation. It is graded as hard and bushwalking experience is recommended. It is certainly well engineered and maintained - it needs to be given the hiking traffic!

Once Marion's Lookout is achieved the worst elevations are completed so I was told by the leader of the "luxury" lodge walkers. Hot showers, comfy beds and a cooked meal reward the effort. Either way, carrying everything or enjoying the luxury option,  plenty of effort is required.

 The rain stopped and the sun came out as I reached the last kilometre. Tomorrow the weather is looking better - the sky is blue now with a few clouds,  so maybe Cradle Mountain will be visible in the morning. 

It was a great day despite the rain!