U3A Ballarat Hikers

U3A Hike No 152 After the photos there are links to: Historical Notes. Gpx File Download. Interactive Map. Track Notes and a YouTube Slideshow. Hike Report by Martin We were a small group of eight for this “non-core” hike and our mission - to explore La Franchi’s Hut, trek into Walker’s Gully Falls (both Upper and Lower) and search out Stevenson’s Hut. Our start point was the corner of Werona Road and Rodoni Track. The day was overcast with a slight chance of light precipitation, so we donned our wet weather gear and took off north along Werona Road.  We soon came across a 4WD track on the left which we followed until it split into two tracks.  Taking the right-hand track, we continued west and then north, until we reached a west leading 4WD track.  This track took us along the southern ridge of Sugarloaf Gully and continued on to skirt open farm land.  Up until this point we had been surrounded by natural bush, and along the way discovered an impressive fungus growing high in a tree.

  U3A Hike No. 151 Hike Report by Kerren Our group of 23 met near the Blackwood Hotel to commence our walk combining part of the Whipstick Loop Walk, via Cann St, with the Lederderg Heritage River Walk. These two walks which met at the Garden of St Erth parking area, encompass parts of the 89km Lederderg Track from Daylesford to Bacchus Marsh. The Lerderderg Track is the south-eastern leg of the Great Dividing Trail Network, which also includes the 210km long Goldfields Track from Mt Buninyong to Bendigo. A pleasant overcast day, with easy walking mostly on damp, leafy tracks or raised clay water races. Care needed to be taken with some exposed tree roots (and fallen logs!), but sufficient breaks allowed us to take in the magnificent mature tree fern gullies and tall forest timber. The walk took us down to the banks of the Lederderg River, at the point of an old dam wall.    Evidence of old gold diggings near the paths, masses of pink and white heath, and the shaded, damp tree stumps w

  U3A Hike No. 150 Links after the photos: Historical Notes, Track Notes, Interactive Map and GPX file download. Hike Report by Geoff It was a group of 10 who met at the Lucas car park in 8° temperature is Thursday morning. It was very helpful that Andrew had driven past Delacombe Town Centre on the way to check whether any of the group may have gone to the wrong starting point. It’s important to read the instructions on the correct starting point before each hike. Despite the cool temperature Ian impressed/challenged us by wearing only a short sleeved top. The other group members remained rugged up. Although cool, conditions were overcast but dry and calm. It appeared that someone had advised that only women whose name starts with J could join us today because our female contingent consisted of Joan, Jan and Jane. Our drive took us out to the Buangor exit on the Western Freeway, north, towards Warrak and the Mount Cole Road before parking on McGuiness Road. The drive took nearly an ho