U3A Ballarat Hikers

U3A Hike No 363 Hike Report By Deb Karmouche  12 Hikers rallied on a bleak, cold morning for a walk in the Creswick State Forest.  Roads were a bit muddy as we travelled to our starting point at Wolfes Road.  John Wolfe apparently developed the Slatey Creek Hydraulic Sluicing Company and there is evidence of water sluicing throughout the hike. In 1868 there was a reported 3,916 km of water races in the area and indeed evidence of extensive mining activity in the area was a highlight of the 14km hike. We started out on a bush road, hilly, and with deep gullies. On either side of this track were 2-to-3- metre cliffs which were a consequence of mining activity when they excavated the surface in order to find and extract gold.  Rain fell softly at one stage but by the time we put our waterproof layers on it had stopped and the day remailed dry. Morning tea was at Slatey Creek Camp ground No 1 in the rotunda which was very civilized and from there we joined the Goldf...

 U3A Hike No 362 Hike Report by Marianne Kennedy Mark Hawley was to lead our weekly hike, the Rhinoceros Hike, in the Brisbane Ranges, but he forecast was for low temperatures, strong winds and rain which would create slippery tracks therefore a not very enjoyable adventure.  Mark made a responsible decision to postpone this hike. Instead he offered an alternative suggestion to meet at Pipers Restaurant at 9.30 am and walk Lake Wendouree. The options were to have coffee before or after the walk (or both).   On arrival at Pipers, with light rain falling, Mark checked the weather radar and, because the rain appeared as though it might pass over in about 20 minutes, he suggested we have a coffee first. It did not take any persuasion for the eleven walkers to agree.   After coffee, chatting and smiles all round we commenced our walk around the lake in a clockwise direction.   Walking the lake is always a very pleasant experience regardless of...

 U3A Hike No 361 Hike Report By Jan Herperger What a perfect day for a hike: brisk at the beginning and turning bright and sunny along the way. After carpooling our way to Richards Campground in the Mount Cole State Forest 16 rugged up  hikers set off along the Beeripmo walking track for a short way before turning right onto The Glut  Road. I think this road was thus named because of the Glut of hills along it. No, it was actually one  big uphill for 1 ½ km and really had our lungs working hard. There were several very welcome  stops to, ahem, “look at the views”. Fires had burnt through this area in February 2024 and so it was very heartening to see the bush  regenerating with gusto. The black trunks of the mighty eucalypts were covered with bright green or bluish new growth, bracken was growing thickly, tree ferns were abundant, and there were tiny  grevilleas and gums popping up all over the forest floor. The many different shades of green were...