Victoria Mill - Mt Cole Reservoir, Mt Cole State Forest Circuit - 11.6 Kms

 U3A Hike No 262

Hike Report by Leona

Mt Cole Reservoir? Really, who knew? Certainly not me. This appealing element of mystery led 14 rugged up hikers to set off in a convoy of five vehicles from Selkirk Stadium towards Beaufort. Thick fog hugged the hills to the right while patches of blue sky to the left held the possibility of some greatly anticipated warmth. 

After a short stop in Beaufort we pointed the vehicles towards Elmhurst and travelled along the Raglan Elmhurst Rd, turning left onto the Raglan Mt Cole Rd. The following 14 km stretch provided atmospheric weather conditions, wallabies and some curiously named tracks. Among them - Frees Point Track, Dairy Maid Rd, Mugwamp Track, Sugarloaf Rd, Sapling Bridge and last but definitely not least - Hell Hole Track. Thankfully, the latter was not to be part of our journey. Instead, a couple of left turns took us to our circuit walk start and finish point at Nando's Hut. Probably not related to any packaged food company, Nando Rosini worked for the Forests Commission, and he and his workmates built this cute little stone hut in 1981. A plaque erected by his workmates was put in place in recognition of Nando's friendship and service. 

To the accompaniment of a large mob of screeching cockatoos we headed off downhill along a gravel road. What a gentle start to a walk described as including steep hills with ascents and descents, steep and slippery sections, and some significant ruts! Having crossed a high plateau in the Mt Cole State Forest, we descended through cutting grass and over logs to the secluded Mt Cole Reservoir. And voila, there it was, as promised, tucked away among the trees. Photos and exclamations of surprise and joy followed before we settled into this serene and beautiful spot, just the place for some log sitting, conversation and morning tea.

Now the easy part was done, and we retraced our steps - uphill of course, to rejoin  Reservoir Road, then onto Dutchman Track. Through the trees we spotted repeated sections of large moss-covered granitic rock. As skilled multi taskers we were able to maintain the flow of conversation while expertly negotiating the slippery clay, rock strewn surface which was a feature of the rutted descent. 

Our plateau walk continued around onto Sandy Pinch Rd, the group coming to a halt as a spectacular western view materialised, it's foreground featured lush green farmland and treed sections, while in the background were hills and a wind farm - well two wind farms actually, for those whose eyesight was up to it. Another ascent followed, through thick young gum trees, over a fast flowing creek then, quite suddenly we were back at our cars, having completed an 11.9km circuit, which of course means rounding to 12 kilometres.

We tucked into lunch on the grassy picnic area beside Nando's Hut.  Taking a cue from Nando's mates, I'd like to recognise Gordon and Mark's service and the friendship of the group on this beautiful and surprising walk.

Photos by Alan, Gordon, Mark, Teena and Theresa