Early May 2010, myself(with stick) and 5 mates all in their mid 30s decided to walk the Lerderderg Gorge along the river from Darley to Blackwood.
It was 8.30am Friday when we left from just near the Darley footy oval.
We walked along the river up to Mackenzie Flat picnic ground which took us about 1.5hrs.
After a short break we were off along the track.
The first thing we noticed that the river had little to no water in it so we were glad we filled up our bottles before we left.
Not long into the walk the first group decision had to be made.
We had reached the very steep Spur Track and had a choice of going up, or continuing along the river.
It was 8.30am Friday when we left from just near the Darley footy oval.
We walked along the river up to Mackenzie Flat picnic ground which took us about 1.5hrs.
After a short break we were off along the track.
The first thing we noticed that the river had little to no water in it so we were glad we filled up our bottles before we left.
Not long into the walk the first group decision had to be made.
We had reached the very steep Spur Track and had a choice of going up, or continuing along the river.
Up it was, and it was tough, but great. To turn and look back over the gorge towards Bacchus Marsh was good and we all felt a sense of achievement when we reached the top.
An easy 40min walk down to the Lerderderg Weir at Long Point saw us get there by 1pm for lunch.
From here on there was no track so we had to follow the river bed and we soon realized that reaching our intended camp for night one of Ah Kow Ruin was going to be a struggle.
The river bed was hard. You had to watch every step and there were areas that were completely overgrown with prickly shrubs that we had to push through.
An easy 40min walk down to the Lerderderg Weir at Long Point saw us get there by 1pm for lunch.
From here on there was no track so we had to follow the river bed and we soon realized that reaching our intended camp for night one of Ah Kow Ruin was going to be a struggle.
The river bed was hard. You had to watch every step and there were areas that were completely overgrown with prickly shrubs that we had to push through.
We also came across sections of river that actually had water in it and to navigate our way around took time.We reached Bears Head Track at 4 and decided to camp at a pretty good site just at the start of the track. Camp sites along the river are few and far between so we didn't want to push on.
Day 2 saw us leave at 9.30 after boiling up our days water. We reached Ah Cow in just over an hour and was glad we stopped to check out the mine. Great camping here aswell.
After a quick stop it wasn't long before I realized we had a problem. Paul, one of our more experienced walkers in this region was struggling after he twisted his knee in this unforgiving river bed.
We soon noticed that a group is only as fast as its slowest walker and we were not making good ground.
We decided after lunch to split the group up. The lead pack of 3 would push for O'Briens Crossing and meet up with another mate who was coming down in his car.
I stayed back in the second group of 3 and along with Kev we limbered on carrying what we could of Paul's gear.
By 5pm we decided to set camp, just off the river a few hundred meters past the Razorback Nth Track. The camp site was small but set in the ruins of what looked like an old minors house and the location was beautiful.
The lead group chose to take the Cowan Track up to O'Briens Rd and then down to the crossing. The Cowan track was very steep and the group arrived at the crossing under torch light at about 7pm.
Day 3 we were off at 7.30am and it was a huge relief to be out of the riverbed and onto the East Track.
We noticed the large mine camp, situated at the end of the Kenworthy Track on our way to the crossing. This would be a great spot to set camp on night one if doing the walk from Blackwood down.
It took us 4 hours to reach O'Briens Crossing but the walk should normally only take 2-3hrs.
As we were walking along the East Track and getting closer to O'Briens Crossing everything started to become greener. There was more water in the river and the ferns, along with the moss covered logs made for beautiful scenery.
It was good to meet up with the others at O'Briens Crossing and talk about the previous 24hrs.
After a huge effort to walk the distance and terrain he did, Paul was driven out from here and we started the 12km walk into Blackwood along the Byres Back Track.
It was nice to walk at a normal pace and the track was easy compared to what we had just done.
We got to the Tunnel and decided to walk down the steep hill to have a look at the hole the minors dug in the rock wall to divert water.
The walk from O'Briens Crossing to Blackwood took about 2.5 hours.
After 3 days it was beer and BBQ time.
This walk was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone who is up for a challenge.
Its hard to describe the beauty of the gorge. Huge cliff faces and picturess scenery is just the beginning. Those who have been in it will know what I mean.
Wazza's tips for this walk.
Wear pants or long gators when in the river bed. Our legs were ripped to shreds but the cuts were worth it.
Try to avoid camping at O'Briens Crossing. It was busy with loud music late into the night. Because it is a popular camp site fire wood was difficult to find.
Walking through the dried river bed was tough. Pushing through the ove
rgrown shrubs was the worst part. Walking down stream instead of up like we did may have made it easier, but after years of drought and no flowing water for a long time, I don't think it really mattered.
rgrown shrubs was the worst part. Walking down stream instead of up like we did may have made it easier, but after years of drought and no flowing water for a long time, I don't think it really mattered.