Day 8: Tent Tarn, Twin Spires South

Apr 30

Our intentions were simply to reach Tent Tarn and set up camp, then day walk to Twin Spires South the next day (rather than Cathedral Mountain). There is a cairned route to Twin Spires South but no such luxury to Cathedral Mountain. Having spent the two previous days pushing through a lot of dense scrub we decide on the easier but still rewarding option. After we set up camp we take advantage of the good weather and climb Twin Spires South that afternoon/early evening.

Map of route between Chapter Lake and Twin Spires south, Walls of Jerusalem National Park — 8 km, 450 metres elevation gain for the day

Hiker with orange pack climbing up steep slop beside Grail Falls — *We take a look at the falls from the bottom.*

*Then there’s a steep scramble up alongside Grail Falls.*

Hiker with orange pack looking over Chapter lake to wooded hills beyond Walls of Jerusalem National Park — *With perfect timing, the weather is clearing for us as we ascend again. A pause to appreciate Chapter Lake.*

Hiker using poles to cross boulder stepping stones across creek — Crossing the Creek below Chalice Lake. A big thank you to Bender and Xing for their clear description of how to find the crossings – the cairn on the opposite bank was easy to spot once we knew where to look!

Hiker with orange pack cover walking through low shrubs and rocky outcrops alongside creek — *The country here is breathtaking. We keep stopping to gasp, and not just to catch our breath!*

Gently sloping rocky land with narrow lake in the valley. — *Chalice Lake*

*We’d be camping on the rock on the right in a days time.*

View across Chalice Lake with boulders and King Billy pines Walls of Jerusalem National Park — *Chalice Lake*

Panoramic view of Chalice Lake Walls of Jerusalem National Park

Chalice Lake Walls of Jerusalem National Park

Still Chalice Lake. Just grand

Numerous tiny rocky vegetated islands in Chalice Lake Walls of Jerusalem National Park

bright yellow Alpine paper daisy, Helichrysum sp against rough granite rock Walls of Jerusalem National Park — Alpine paper daisy,

*Helichrysum sp.*

Marshy sedge crossing at the northern end of Chalice Lake Walls of Jerusalem National Park. — *Marshy sedge crossing at the northern end of Chalice Lake. I see orchid leaves but alas, no flowers!*

View of Tent Tarn, with Mt Rogoona in the distance Walls of Jerusalem National Park — *First views towards Tent Tarn, with Mt Rogoona in the distance.*

Tent Tarn in midground, with boulder in foreground and pines in background Walls of Jerusalem National Park — *Tent Tarn*

Tent in foreground looking across marshy land to tent tarn. The tarn has large rocks dolloped arounfd it with Mt Rogoona in the distant background. — *Our campsite on the hillside overlooking Tent Tarn.*

View over Tent Tarn and Chalice Lake on way to Twin Spires South Walls of Jerusalem National Park — There is plenty of daylight left so Geoff takes my pack as a daypack and we head to Twin Spires South. View over Tent Tarn left, and Chalice Lake, right. The bony finger scars from the 2016 bushfires are sadly evident.

View on way to Twin Spires South Walls of Jerusalem National Park. Many small tanrs with one in the foreground and vast wildness in background below the plateau. — *View north towards what we think is Bishops Peak.*

View of mounitain ranges in background with small tarns in foreground. — And oh my goodness, west towards the Overland. I’m regretting not having brought the tent up here. There are plenty of small tarns and flat campsites, the weather is cold but not windy and the forecast (via our Garmin Inreach Mini) excellent.

Seated hiker checking map on phone atop high rocky peak of Twin Spires South Walls of Jerusalem National Park — Atop Twin Spire South. There is an easy unmarked route to Cathedral Mountain along the top but I am exhausted. We stay for a while, absorbing the view then, with chattering teeth (and legs for me), head back down to our tent.

Helen McKerral

Day 8: Tent Tarn, Twin Spires South

Day 7: Chapter Lake

Day 9: Chalice Lake