You Yangs Circuit Hike
U3A Hike No 72
Hike Report by Chris Charleson
For our 'horses birthday walk', nineteen walkers were led by Gordon, for a circuit walk at the You Yangs. There was an optional visit up to the peak.
The spectacular granite outcrops and boulders were a dominant feature from the start. The elevated East Walk allowed magnificent views over the Werribee Plains, the bays and even some city buildings.
We had morning tea at a flat area known as The Saddle. Vegetation included gnarled gums, casuarinas and golden wattle which was beginning to flower. A losing battle is being fought against the invasive South African plant "boneseed." Sand and gravel taken from the area has spread this pest well beyond the park.
The hilly Northern Range trail eventually descended to the horizontal rock sculpture titled Bungil. This was located in the park in 2006 as part of the Commonwealh Games festival in recognition of the Wadawurrung, the traditional inhabitants, to represent their creator spirit. It provided us with a comfortable lunch site in the winter sun.
The Branding Yard Trail took us past some of the sandy waterholes use by the original inhabitants and some early settlers. We then followed close to the footsteps of Matthew Flinders to the peak now named for him to commemorate his exploration in 1802. The 450 granite steps took us 300m above the plain. We were treated to a display of soaring acrobatics by a black kite as we re-gathered our energies for the descent back to our vehicles.
Alan then led us on a tour of Lara before some well deserved refreshments.
Photo's by Mark Bevelander (See slideshow here)
Hike Report by Chris Charleson
For our 'horses birthday walk', nineteen walkers were led by Gordon, for a circuit walk at the You Yangs. There was an optional visit up to the peak.
The spectacular granite outcrops and boulders were a dominant feature from the start. The elevated East Walk allowed magnificent views over the Werribee Plains, the bays and even some city buildings.
We had morning tea at a flat area known as The Saddle. Vegetation included gnarled gums, casuarinas and golden wattle which was beginning to flower. A losing battle is being fought against the invasive South African plant "boneseed." Sand and gravel taken from the area has spread this pest well beyond the park.
The hilly Northern Range trail eventually descended to the horizontal rock sculpture titled Bungil. This was located in the park in 2006 as part of the Commonwealh Games festival in recognition of the Wadawurrung, the traditional inhabitants, to represent their creator spirit. It provided us with a comfortable lunch site in the winter sun.
The Branding Yard Trail took us past some of the sandy waterholes use by the original inhabitants and some early settlers. We then followed close to the footsteps of Matthew Flinders to the peak now named for him to commemorate his exploration in 1802. The 450 granite steps took us 300m above the plain. We were treated to a display of soaring acrobatics by a black kite as we re-gathered our energies for the descent back to our vehicles.
Alan then led us on a tour of Lara before some well deserved refreshments.
Photo's by Mark Bevelander (See slideshow here)
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