U3A Ballarat Hikers

 U3A Hike No 394 Hike Report by Lyn  🌫️ After a foggy start, 19 hikers gathered at Bald Hills in the Enfield State Park. With the briefing out of the way, we were introduced to our newest member Greg (2). The weather was ideal for hiking. 🥾 Following Kim, we headed down Mt Misery Road only to stop and pause to confirm our route before turning off the road and proceeding down the single file track. 🌸 Soon some of us stopped and paused to admire our first hyacinth orchid which was keenly spotted by Gordon. Some of us also stopped and paused to admire and photograph the complex, lacy and intricate spider webs of the leaf curling spider that were glistening with the dew in the morning light. 🕸️ The quiet ambience of the forest also made us stop and pause as we soaked in our peaceful surrounds. Our final stop and pause on our southerly route was for morning tea. 📍 Further on Greg (1) also spotted a hyacinth orchid. This section of the track took us down and up many gullies and...

 U3A Hike No 394 Hike Report by Alan Evans 📍 The Meet-up & "The Rogue Turn" Twenty hikers, including one visitor from Canada, gathered at Bunnings in Delacombe before making the trip out to Linton. We set off from the Linton Oval, making the short connection to join the historic Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail . However, the planned route didn't last long; Mark, living up to his rebel reputation, decided to go "rogue." He flipped the script and led the group in the opposite direction of the original plan! 🪦 Reflections at the Cemetery Our reversed route soon brought us to the Linton Cemetery . We took some time to wander between the headstones, reading the names and dates that tell the story of the region’s early settlers. Leaving the grounds, the atmosphere shifted from somber to cautious as we navigated a track flanked by several deep, uncovered mine shafts—a stark reminder of the area's golden but dangerous past. 🚒 Morning Tea & Memorials We paused...