313. Post Office Track-Wombat State Forest 9.6km

 U3A Hike No 313





Hike Report and Photos By Geoff Howard

Twelve Hikers gathered at Kirks Reservoir, ready for our hike this week and, defying our usual experience of fine weather, as A A Milne would say: ‘It rained… and it rained… and it rained..!!’.  


This meant that, as hikers scurried to their allotted cars, our convoy departure from Kirks didn’t go according to plan and the three cars left separately finding their own way to Gambles Lane Leonards Hill. One of the cars even overshot the departure point from the Ballan-Daylesford Road because the wind towers being identified as a key marker were lost in the mist.  


It was still raining consistently when we set off along Post Office Track.  On a positive note, the overnight gale force winds had died away, allowing conditions to feel relatively mild and peaceful.  Well rugged up under our waterproofs we were in good spirits and able to enjoy the experience of walking through a forest of tall eucalyptus.  


Conditions underfoot were decidedly wet along the earlier part of the walk as some sections of the track had become ponds which had to be negotiated. An inflatable canoe would have been useful. Four-wheel drive vehicles had also helped to create many puddle strips which also required careful negotiation.  


After hiking about 3 km along Post Office Track we turned onto Lerderderg Track and continued in similar conditions for another kilometre before Gordon led us onto a less well-defined forest track which meant that there was less four-wheel-drive damage to tend with.


Instead, we experienced several fallen trees that had to be negotiated either by going over or under or around. The rain eased as we continued, but due to the wet conditions it was not easy to find a comfortable place where we could sit to enjoy our morning tea break, so some of the group remained upright when we decided it was time for a cuppa and nibbles. 

 

Turning south, our track took us around Steep Gully and for a short time we walked on the Leonards Hill-Bullarto Road, before continuing on a forest track towards Beavers Hill. No strenuous climbing was however required as we skirted around the hill on Healy track, looping our way back towards our starting point on Gambles Lane.


It was 11.20 when we returned to the cars and although it was no longer raining, conditions were not conducive for a cozy outdoor lunch. After gaiters and rain jackets were removed, we were soon in the warmer conditions provided by car travel as we continued back to town. 


Despite the wet, wintry conditions we enjoyed walking among the tall eucalypts and as usual, enjoyed the company of other group members. 

It wouldn’t have be the same for us if we had stayed at home! 


Thank you to Gordon for planning the hike and being our intrepid leader again today.    


























LINKS











 





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