Little Hard Hills to Surface Point, Enfield Circuit - 17+ Kms

 U3A Hike No. 161

Hike Report by Chris

15 hardy hikers journeyed to Dredge Rd for the Enfield Forest Hike. We took in the Surface and Long Gully trails and part of the Enfield Loop.

A chorus of birdsong greeted us as we arrived. Sulphur-crested cockatoos were a constant presence. Lots of frogs and water birds were evident at the large dam close to Enfield.

Early in the walk, we followed several old water races and we stopped at the sites of some of the gold mining era dams.  As we made our way towards the Surface Point Picnic area, we saw much evidence of the shallow level prospecting that was conducted by Chinese miners. It was pointed out that a lot of surface prospecting has been conducted at similar elevations around Ballarat.

We had two lunch stops at points close to Misery Creek, enjoying the dappled sunlight and signs of the coming springtime.

Thanks Gordon for the enjoyable, if arduous hike around the Enfield Forest hillsides, ridges and gullies.

Photos by Frances, Jenette and Joan
















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