When a mountain biker accumulates 1543 metres elevation without going more than 420m above sea level, it can only mean one of two things.
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They are either very lost or very happy having discovered the latest addition to Tasmania's stunning catalogue of cross-country trails.
To put that elevation figure in context, Cradle Mountain is just two metres higher.
Admittedly, most people venturing onto Dreaming Pools at St Helens would be sensible enough to do it from the trailhead set-up at Flagstaff, 4km out of town, but resurfacing of the access road on the day I visited meant adding just a little bit more climbing and distance to the day.
To paraphrase a certain Dutch beer advertisement, Dreaming Pools refreshes the parts other trails cannot reach.
It takes users to the sort of isolated, hidden beauty spots of which Tasmania appears to have an inexhaustible supply.
After an hour or so of exhilarating but dusty riding, the beautiful sound of trickling water alerts riders to the first of several small pools helpfully provided by Constable Creek, which sounds like a character from Midsomer Murders and, true to form, offers an arresting experience.
Previously, the exclusive preserve of St Helens locals, the pools are as inviting as they are picturesque, although the briefest of dips is enough to discover how surprisingly chilly their reception is.
Dreaming Pools is one of several recent additions to the superb St Helens network which began life with the epic 42km wilderness trail from the top of the Blue Tier down to Bay of Fires plus a series of loops around the Flagstaff trailhead.
As recently as June, three new black diamond trails (Send Helens, Icarus and Shucka) were also added to the equation.
The cross-section is an almost unbroken jagged line, as far removed from anything vaguely horizontal as Donald Trump is from reality.
Like the first two of those, Dreaming Pools begins from the magnificent viewpoint atop Loila Tier, which can be accessed either via a lengthy climb up Rock Lobster, Wedged In and Garn Up or by hopping aboard one of the local shuttle operators, Vertigo MTB or Gravity Isle.
What follows is 27km of sensational, scenic, sweaty, sandy and slightly sapping fun.
The cross-section on the trail website is an almost unbroken jagged line, as far removed from anything vaguely horizontal as Donald Trump is from reality.
The track stubbornly follows the terrain's contours so gut-busting gradients are replaced by constant gentle, winding ascents.
There are endless gullies in which the track heads to a narrow crossing, always immaculately designed to allow a short descent and solid stone ford enabling sufficient speed to begin the climb on the other side.
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It is superbly built, often causing the rider to marvel at how a steep slope of shingle could ever produce such a smooth, flowing, flat track.
Trail-building magician Glen Jacobs and his World Trail team have surpassed themselves once more.
It is graded blue ("more difficult") and only offered one or two really technical spots, and then only when dictated by rocky terrain.
Once the magnificent sea views have been left behind it is easy to lose your sense of direction, but not distance as the safety posts reliably inform riders how far they have come and, more to the point, how much further they have left to go.
As the cross-section suggests, there is a good mix of climbing and descending while the terrain has a bit of everything. On one particular part of the descent, it seemed to change every few minutes from lush vegetation to rugged rocks and then flowing sandy berms.
It should be made clear that this is no lazy afternoon family ride. It is a long circuit.
Traversing deep valleys and lengthy ridgelines through beautiful but remote back country with minimal phone reception isn't recommended toddler fodder.
The website makes this point abundantly clear.
"It may be 27km, but don't be fooled ... it's not all downhill and not an easy ride," it says.
"It is rated blue, or more difficult, not just because of distance but because of the nature of the trail, including the pedalling you will have to do."
We ended up doing 52.5km all up, although this included the Town Link in both directions.
It would be an ideal trail for riders of e-bikes who can let the engine take the strain on the climbs and then just enjoy the descents.
Since COVID restrictions eased, I have enjoyed the contrasting mountain bike pleasures of Derby, Wild Mersey, Penguin, Trevallyn and now St Helens.
Each brings a different gift but ensures the overall party is a blast.
Dreaming Pools is a strong candidate for guest of honour.
Rob Shaw
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
