328. Leanganook - Faraday to Sutton Grange 11.8km

 U3A Hike No 328



Hike Report by Don Moss

Nine walkers headed off from our parking spot on Harmony Way. An appropriate naming for the collection of interesting and interested bushwalkers!

The track started up a gravel road, but after about 1km that was the end of formed travel for the day. We turned right, off to show our style crossing the first of several stiles! With the sun now shining, and the track heading through long grass, eyes were pealed for snakes, but they were clearly still sleeping.

Upwards we climbed, zigzagging through scrubby forest, past a quarry and an abandoned koala park. The climb was steep, but superb walking through old woodlands of manna gums and granite rocks. Reaching a seat with amazing views westward, coffee with the view allowed recovery from the climb.

There was a short section of the next climb that led to some confusion of the old vs newer marked tracks, until we reached the magnificent Dog Rocks area. This is a collection of giant granite Tors, and Gordon told us of his rock-climbing days. For a man with so much care in getting us safely along our bushwalks, the concept of him climbing crevices and abseiling or bouldering, was hard to totally grasp!

Onwards and upwards, on a narrow bushy path among the rocks, absolutely the ideal path for intrepid explorers. Not only was the walking enjoyable, but the views were also superb. Though we didn’t actually mount Mount Alexander, bypassing the actual summit, we reached Langs lookout so had a great spot for lunch, overlooking the north.

The climb down from the top proved quite tiring , as the track wound steeply around more granite tors through manna gums and yellow box. Eventually the slope lessened but the conversations seemed to quieten as we went down the last 3K past the Coliban water channel to reach the cars parked at Harcourt-Sutton Grange road.

It truly was one of those gems of walking, great tracks with rewarding views to compensate for the energy expended, on a sunny day. How lucky we were!


Photos By Andrew Parker
















































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