A cumulus cloud billows ever the summit pyramid

Twelve Summer Views Of Hartz Peak

September 21, 2014Special ArrangementFeature Article, Issue Twenty Four, Magazine, Office for the Captured Pixeldolerite, Exploration, Geology, Glaciers, Hartz Mountains, National Park, Nature, Patterns, Seasons, South, Southwest, Summer, Terrain, Trails, Wilderness

The Hartz Mountains National Park is located in the far south of Tasmania, and is one of the most readily accessed of the high dolerite ranges. Glaciers carved this upland landscape: terrain features such as tarns (small lakes) and moraines (ice-transported material) are readily apparent.

Hartz Peak is the highpoint of the jagged mountain range, and the summit rises in a pyramid of shattered dolerite. The Southern Hemisphere summertime brings blue skies and cool winds to this 1,255 meter mountain.

Tasmanian Geographic took a walkabout on the trail to the summit, and captured a dozen images to show you the Hartz Mountains at their sunniest and brightest.

A cumulus cloud billows ever the summit pyramid

A cumulus cloud billows ever the summit pyramid

A spectacular summer solstice sunset at the summit of Hartz Peak

A spectacular summer solstice sunset at the summit of Hartz Peak

A strangely shaped dead tree serves as a landmark near Ladies Tarn

A strangely shaped dead tree serves as a landmark near Ladies Tarn

Down the access ridge, Hartz Peak, SW Tasmania

Down the access ridge, Hartz Peak, SW Tasmania

A waratah in flower brings a splash of red to the mountainside

A waratah in flower brings a splash of red to the mountainside

Hardy plants cling to the edge of a Hartz Mountains pool

Hardy plants cling to the edge of a Hartz Mountains pool

Hartz Lake lies directly below the Hartz Mountains to the west, but is rarely accessed by bushwalkers arriving by motorcar from the east

Hartz Lake lies directly below the Hartz Mountains to the west, but is rarely accessed by bushwalkers arriving by motorcar from the east

Location of Hartz Peak via ReliefMapsForFree

Location of Hartz Peak via ReliefMapsForFree

Midday clouds are reflected in a small pool on Hartz Peak

Midday clouds are reflected in a small pool on Hartz Peak

Midsummer evening in the Hartz Mts. National Park, Tasmania

Midsummer evening in the Hartz Mts. National Park, Tasmania

Tannins stain the cold fresh water a deep brown below the Hartz Mountains ridge

Tannins stain the cold fresh water a deep brown below the Hartz Mountains ridge

The quartzite Arthur Ranges are clearly visible to the west of the Hartz Mountains National Park

The quartzite Arthur Ranges are clearly visible to the west of the Hartz Mountains National Park

Two climbers are barely visible upon the summit of a satellite peak of the Hartz Mountains

Two climbers are barely visible upon the summit of a satellite peak of the Hartz Mountains