14. Goldfields-Dry Diggings Track Stage Two 14km

 U3A Hike No 14




Hike report by Tim Bosher

Hepburn Springs Reserve to Porcupine Ridge Rd. 

Known as the Mt Franklin View Walk. 

14 walkers assembled just above the Hepburn Springs Reserve on a perfect walking day, with equable temperatures in the teens. 

The 15km walk had some moderately steep climbing both near the beginning and the end on a mix of well defined tracks and roads. 

The initial climb was rewarded by a brief coffee stop at the conveniently placed Chocolate Mill at about 5km which refueled the group for the next few km to lunch on a strategically located log. 

Notable sights included Beehive Gully where gold sluicing has caused sufficient erosion for it to be termed ‘a min Grand Canyon.' 

Views on the walk were superb, with the best probably being over the peacefully grazing alpaca towards Mt Franklin. 

(Historical note: In 1840, in response to concerns about the treatment of Aboriginals by the settlers, the government took over Mount Franklin and the surrounding area for the Loddon Aboriginal Protectorate Station). 

Our leader was somewhat evasive about the distance and we were all quite surprised to see the cars appear before we had expected, leaving time for yet more coffee in Daylesford. 

Best wishes to Greg for a speedy recovery and return to the trails. 


LINKS

DOWNLOAD A GPX ROUTE FILE FOR GARMIN ETC

INTERACTIVE MAP

 


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