12. Lerderderg Track Stage Six 15.2km

 U3A Hike No 12

Photo: Gordon Shaw


Today was the sixth and final stage of the Lerderderg Track between Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh. Would the rain hold off long enough for us to complete this walk. The weather forecast for today had changed everyday for the last week, so some doomsayers amongst us suggested wet weather gear. Fortunately this was to prove unnecessary. The weather was generally fine but windy and the rain finally came at 6pm, well after our walk.

We started at Mt. Blackwood which is the highest point in the area (it is the high point with the phone tower you can see on your left at Myrniong as you travel to Melbourne). From here we headed east down the steep slope towards the Lerderderg river which looked to be far below us, the noise of tortured aging knees echoing across the valley. Fortunately when we arrived at the tree line the path turned to the south and soon passed through dappled eucalypt forest, making for very pleasant walking. The track generally followed the top of the ridge with the Lerderderg gorge on our left.

After about 10 kms the eucalypt forest shrank to shrub height , allowing great views of the gorge, and the plains at the mouth of the gorge spreading out towards Melbourne. Finally we arrived at the road and walked a couple of kilometres back to our cars. The views towards Melbourne from this elevated area were quite spectacular except for the massive scar created by the quarry just to the north of Bacchus Marsh.

To celebrate the completion of this walk we indulged in a picnic at Pykes Creek reservoir ably catered for by Ingrid and Andrew. Thanks to all for the pleasant company.

Adios

Bruce


Note from Andrew Parker: Congratulations to Gordon Talbett, Greg Anderson, Phill Grant and yours truly who completed all six stages!


LINKS

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INTERACTIVE MAP

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