Mt Buangor and Mt Cole Reservoir, Mt Buangor State Park Circuit

Mt Buangor and Mt Cole Reservoir, Mt Buangor State Park Circuit - 10.5 Kms

April 30, 2022

U3A Hike No. 194

Hike Report by Joan

The Spirited Six, despite the weather forecast, took up the challenge to see what new and interesting features Mother Nature could present to us in this neck of the woods. After traveling through Beaufort and Raglan we turned onto Mt Cole Road which took us to Mugwamp Hut and campsite, the start of our adventure. The small hut is made of old sheets of corrugated iron with a beaut old stone chimney and with its surrounding area is used as a rest area/overnight campsite for hikers.

From the moment we started our hike we were glad we came as we were surrounded by beautiful tall gum trees dressed in velvet green moss with large knobby burrs spattered along the length of the trees. The fog and light mist added to the peaceful and serene feeling of knowing that we were safe and were lucky to have this whole section of the forest to ourselves to explore. Our first destination was Mt Buangor which is the highest peak in this area measuring 987m . Major Thomas Mitchell, who explored this area in the 1930’s, was responsible for having a cairn built on the top with surrounding large rocks to denote Mt Buangor was the highest peak.

We attempted to wander down to the Mt Buangor Lookout which on a beaut day has some amazing views over the local area. Unfortunately, the dense fog and low cloud were the only view that was visible. We then continued on the trail hoping to find an easy way to actually see the Mt Buangor Cairn but again with the fog, large slippery boulders and dense bush in our way we decided to be safe rather than sorry. We were now focused on hiking to the Mt. Cole Reservoir which is the main source of water for Ararat. The trek down from Mt. Buangor was challenging due to erosion as well as being very rocky, steep and slippery. We found a nice scenic place filled with large mossy boulders to stop for a cuppa though we were not impressed when the leeches thought they were invited too!!

Tally Ho as we were on our way again walking on various rocky, rough and slippery tracks though the views of the majestic trees, some of them ringbarked and dead but still standing were impressive. Andrew’s sharp eyes resulted in the group seeing some interesting fungi as well as trees with various large irregular shaped holes in the trunk of the tree.

We finally arrived at the Mt Cole Reservoir which turned out to be a perfect picturesque place to have our lunch. Having had a chance to just stop and enjoy this special part of our hike it was now time to face the music in that whoever goes down must also go up. On the climb up the winding road, we were challenged by its rocky, rough, muddy and steep nature though again the scenery of the large colourful trunks of the trees, the moss laden boulders, the cockatoos urging us on as well as the drizzle that now turned to rain all contributed to our quick and safe return to our cars. A nice hot cuppa in Beaufort was the perfect ending to a pretty special outing in the bush!