312. White Swan-Goldfields Track-Glen Park State Forest 11km

 U3A Hike No 312




Hike Report By Myra Trudgen

Thirteen of us followed our leader Mark Hawley up the first gentle slope of the hike in very chill  but calm conditions. The track was muddy and slippery in parts and both of these conditions became slightly trickier as the hike went on. It was a delightful walk, as the track snaked up and down many inclines which gave us varying vistas of the surrounding bush. However, some care was needed to negotiate the conditions  and at least one of our group succumbed to the wet and lost his balance.


The bush was just beginning to show very early signs of spring: the Grasstrees have obviously enjoyed the recent rain and looked very healthy and even the gorse had unfortunately begun to bloom in a few places. It is a credit to ParksVic however, that very little of it was in evidence on the day.

After about an hour, a slight Scotch Mist or light rain fell, although it hardly penetrated the tree canopy and added to that indefinable sense of a lovely winter walk.

We noticed several signs of early mining and a recent humpy that had been roughly built and was thankfully already decaying.

The path continued to wind up and down through attractive bushland and sometimes Mark, by common consent,  took  us "bush bashing" off track, although we very occasionally walked on graveled roads.
Thanks to Mark for a great walk, to Gordon for being  the Whip.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

287. Frith Gully - Mt Misery Loop. Enfield State Park

Image
 U3A Hike No 287 Hike Report by Colin Fraser Eight hikers assembled outside the Marty Busch Reserve in Sebastopol for an 11.5 km hike on the Frith Gully-Mt Misery Loop in the Enfield State Park. We travelled in two vehicles to the start of the walk at Bald Hill on Incolls Road, Enfield. The walk was graded as moderate, and described as continuously hilly. We walking paths and rough bush roads through isolated parts of the park. There were deep gullies with lush vegetation, high ridges with open scrub, and areas that still bear the scars of extensive surface mining in the 19th century. We followed Misery Creek Road south then the Misery Creek and Forest Park walking tracks to Surface Point Picnic Ground, where we had smoko. Before arriving at Surface Point we were accompanied overhead by the raucous alarm calls of a group of cockatoos warning of our intrusion into their forest. Coincidently this occurred just near Mt Cockatoo!! We shared the picnic table with a man who was camping there
Read more

Hiking Group Rules

Image
All members resident in Ballarat are expected to attend the meeting point for a travel briefing. Expectations as to pre-hike meeting times. 1. Arrive at the nominated meeting point prior to 7:50am. 2. 7:50 to 7:55 - Vehicle allocation & transfer gear to allocated vehicles. 3. 7:55 Briefing regarding travel to hike venue. 4. 8a.m. (or when all previous steps complete), depart the meeting point. All members of the U3A Ballarat Hiking Group need to sign a form which sets out the risks associated with hiking   A copy of the form can be found here:   Acknowledgement of risk form  All members will: ...play a part in maintaining my safety and that of the other members of the Group.   ...disclose to the leader details of any health problems that may arise during a walk.   ...be responsible for carrying their own medications on walks.   ...comply with the Hiking Group rules regarding clothing, equipment, and safety* ...follow the instructions of the designated leader(s).   ...consider
Read more

305. Fisherman's Bend - Port Melbourne Walk 11.3km

Image
 U3A Hike No 305 Aerial Photo Showing Former Airfield Hike Report By Sharon Moss. On a blustery but fortunately dry morning , 19 intrepid travelers made their way to Southern Cross Station to begin their suburban hike through Fisherman’s Bend - Port Melbourne. We set off at a brisk pace with Andrew capably leading us & Gordon as whip. We had a lovely walk along the banks of the Yarra River, passing impressive boats moored at the marina with one bearing the name Costa Lot ! Andrew pointed out pylons that are decorative rather than functional, as they sit adjacent to the Bolte bridge but are not part of the structure . Passing under the bridge, we then joined busy Lorimer St , where conversation slowed somewhat as noise overtook. We were all alert watching out for bikes , scooters, joggers & traffic ! We passed several landmarks of interest . The  art deco building previously GMH , with one part of the building now occupied by a Ballarat company J King  Homes . Andrew shared inte
Read more