U3A Ballarat Hikers

U3A Hike No 415 Hike Report by John vanR Twelve intrepid U3A hikers headed out for this walk in cold, threatening weather conditions. Thanks to Kim for stepping up at the last minute to lead the walk due to Mark’s incapacity. We had fun and games the cars in attempting reach the start of the walk on a short cut back track, thanks to the muddy conditions. After retracing our tracks, we made it on the main access route. The walk commenced in a pleasant sunny manner following the undulating Pipeline track through the forest. Wombat Forest lived up to its’ name with wombat scats left as wayside markers every 300 metres along the track. Once we crossed Kangaroo Creek we had the long steady climb up Badger Track toward Babbington Hill. Kim did his best Philomena Cunk historical impression followed by a David Attenborough-ish explanation of fauna and flora.  The climax of the  walk was the steep 80 metre ascent of Babbington Hill rewarded with views amongst the trees of the surroundi...

 U3A Hike No 414 Hike Report by Monica Eleven hikers set out under grey, overcast skies on this approximately 11.5km forest walk, which began on an isolated piece of unsealed road in the Wombat Forest. Taking care, after a pot-holed drive, to park cars between water-filled ditches we began the ‘penguin circuit’ – the coloured route outlined on Gordon’s paper map – on the Rat Hole Track. No rats were observed, but plenty of holes filled with yellow-brown water and muddy edges punctuated the gutted path. In fact, due to heavy recent rains, the entire circuit comprised a series of mini-lakes between sections of gluey track. Those who’d brought them found support from their poles; others took detours on higher ground through dense scrub and fallen trees and branches from recent storms. While the walk itself was surprisingly benign, without the usual steep inclines of ‘moderately difficult’ gradings, this one was a challenge in other ways. Nearly everyone had a near-or-semi-soggy encoun...

 U3A Hike No 413 Hike Report By Chris Fourteen walkers gathered at Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve on a still but chilly morning. We were joined by Kelly, Barbara’s daughter from California. The frost even made the asphalt in the carpark and an early wooden bridge crossing slippery. The trail to the west of Hepburn took us along the forested and scenic Doctors Gully, generally along a broad, level terraced track. We did climb one short scrabbly hill and there were a few ups and downs to keep it interesting. The recent rains left a few muddy patches and ice encrusted puddles. Lots of fungi were evident. We disturbed occasional grey kangaroos along our quiet track. An embankment near Westward St was a pleasant place for the morning tea stop, prior to a return via another gully towards Spring Creek. Here we saw some stylish modern homes with elaborate retaining walls and clever garden sculptures. We stopped at the peaceful waters of the old Hepburn swimming hole which had a good flow ...