323. Mt Cole Summit Loop-Mt Cole State Forest 11.7km

 U3A Hike No 323 





Hike Report By Sharon Moss


On a beautiful Spring morning ,thirteen enthusiastic hikers set off for Ditchfield campground , to begin our trek to Mt Cole summit . 

The drive to Mt Cole State Park was very sobering , as we viewed the devastation of the recent ( Feb ‘24 ) bushfires. The fire burnt out over  14,000 hectares  with a number of homes lost & 1000 firefighters involved . 
A number of areas remain closed within the park , including the  well known Beeripmo Walk . 

Ditchfield  campground is now open , boasting a new toilet block , fire pits  & picnic tables . Not currently open for overnight camping . 

We set off from Ditchfields along Camp Road, all in awe of the apocalyptic landscape we were witnessing .  Nature at its very best post bushfire recovery .  Magnificent burnt eucalypts sprouting lush new foliage . Many gums had been stripped bare of their bark & stood in stark contrast to their  blackened neighbours. 

This new foliage is known as Epicormic growth. It  is a special adaptive trait common to most eucalypt species. The foliage grows from dormant buds hidden under tree bark that protects them from high intensity fires . 
It was certainly evident throughout the park . Lush green grass , prolific bracken regrowth,  fungi & some lovely purple happy wanderer (Hardenbergia) were a welcome sight .  As were the magnificent tree ferns in the gully . 

We made our way gradually uphill to Archie’s rock , where we stopped for morning tea . This spot provided  magnificent views eastwards through the burnt trees . We continued our walk steadily UPHILL   to the summit of Mt Cole . There was little conversation at this point !  It was well worth the climb & the boulder scrambling . 

Gordon had dutifully warned us to be on the lookout for  snakes . Don didn’t let the team down & spotted quite a large snake  slithering across the  track in front of him . Neither the snake nor the hikers hung around long enough to identify what type of snake! Possibly a tiger snake?  

As we headed downhill from the summit , we saw kangaroos, wallabies & deer   . A very welcome sight post bush fire.  It was lovely to hear the call of birds , with the squawking cockatoos  dominant . Not happy being disturbed by hikers!  

There were magnificent views  of  wind farms  in the distance  ( towards Skipton) & golden fields of canola  . 

After completing a 12k loop,  we arrived back at Ditchfields  where we enjoyed a welcome lunch in the sun . 

Thank you Gordon for organising a great walk & to our whip of the day Geoff . 

An added bonus , as we drove  out of the campground  , we paused to let an echidna waddle across the road . 
 A lovely ending to a lovely day


Photos By Andrew Parker





























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