The Grampians

Mt Difficult
I was a nice spring day mid September when we decided to give this a go. There were the usual suspects in the group, myself, Brent, Kev, we welcomed back young Jonah and for the first time Brents wife Rebecca decided to come along.
We arrived at the Troopers Creek picnic area at 9.30 and knew that we weren't going to be alone on today's walk as the car park was chokers.
As we looked up we could see the mountain range towering overhead as the excitement started to kick in. Awaiting us were huge cliff faces, massive rock climbs and large overhangs, I couldn't wait.
We set off immediately, passing the "Strenuous Walking Ahead" sign following a well defined track. I wasn't long and we were making our assent. The cliffs were amazing. We were walking along the edge of he mountain slowly making our way up.
We were scaling massive boulders, shimmering through tight ravines while trying to take in the amazing views.
At 10.30 we stopped for a break at nice spot with water running down the side of the mountain and great scenery to the west.

We left this tranquil spot and continued the journey up the mountain until at 11.30 we had reached the Mt Difficult Hikers Camp site. The camp site was very rocky and you could probably squeeze a couple of tents in if you had to but I didn't think it was that fantastic.

We dumped our packs amongst the many others that were already there and made the 15min climb to the summit.

It was a little windy but the views from the top were great and we spent about 20min up there tacking a few photos.

We made our way back down to the camp site, boiled up some water for coffee and had some lunch.

At 12.45 we started our decent via the same route, passing many large groups of hikers with there double walking poles and knee high gators.

We saw a large stumpy tail lizard on the way down and stopped once again at the waterfall for a quick spell.

After Kev took a nice little fall we got back to the car by 2.40 and cracked a ice cold Pepsi max.

We had loaded young Jonah up with a 12kg pack to see how he would go with the climb. He wants to join us later in the year for the 3 day trek up Bogong. Jonah passed with flying colors.

I didn't really think this walk lived up to its name. It had great views, huge cliffs and large rock overhangs. Challenging but far from difficult. An amazing walk, would do it again.

Cabbs Track, Wombat State Forest

Great Dividing Trail.

It as late August 2011 and we decided to walk along a part of The Great Dividing Trail from Daylesford to Kendall's house in Balckwood.

We had been talking to some locals about a small track that doesn't appear on any maps but has some significant history in the region.
Cabbs track runs off Camp Rd, just south of the Balt Camp ruins and reports that there is an old disused picnic area on the site of the old Cabb family homestead. We were keen to find it. 

G.D.T stretches through towns like Ballarat, Bendigo and down to Bacchus Marsh. The section we were going to cover is a bit over 30km.

Brent couldnt make this trek so it was just Kev and I.

We were dropped of on the Specimen Hill Rd about a km down from Jubilee Lake at the Cockatoo Creek Tk. The journey began and 8.30 am. We headed west to try and hook up with the G.D.T. 8.40am we were lost. The tracks were really overgrown and hard to find. We wernt sure if we were on track on not so we just head south knowing we would find our location sooner or later. After stumbling across a camper and some lost 4wdrivers we eventually hit the Post Office Tk just after 10am. The track was well signed and we found our first G.D.T marker that pointed us in the right direction.

The first thing that was evident was that we were going to get wet feet. The wet winter and the heavily driven tracks were really boggy with ankle deep water and mud in some sections that were impossible to walk around. Everyting was lush green and beautiful.

Once we got on track it was easy going apart from the muddy bog holes. Every intersection was posted with an arrow telling us where to go.

At 11am we hit the Bullarto South Rd, an hour later we were back on Specimen and the Toe Rag Tk. We walked along Toe Rag, across the river and stopped for lunch at 12.15 at the junction where the G.D.T leaves Toe Rag. The spot was

great, fast flowing river with plenty of camping if needed.

At 12.45 we left this great spot continuing along the G.D.T and an hour later reached Cairn Rd. We were still having to navigate through deep muddy 4wd holes. We now head east along the G.D.T, crossing Rat Hole Tk, then probably the biggest climb of the trip up to Camp road.
We were expecting Balt Camp Ruins to be to the south of us, then we were going to start looking for Cabbs track, but to our surprise we had climbed up Cabbs Tk which was not on the map and come out just below Balt Camp. Cabbs Track was sign posted on Camp road and we were wrapped to have found it. We walked about 200mt back down Cabbs to a large clearing and the obvious sight of the old Cabbs family homestead. There was a small camp fire there that had recently been used and we had both wished we knew a little more about this area.

It was 2.45 so we rested in the Cabbs picnic area and had a bite

to eat. We were high up, over 800mt but no real view anywhere as the bush was thick.

At 3.15 we head north along Camp Rd until we hit Olsen Tk, another rugged 4wd track, then 3.45 we were at Lerderderg Rd for an easy 30min walk down to Nolan Creek picnic area to set up camp for the night.

Steve and Paddles from the 1st Lerdy trek aswell as Kendall met us at Nolan Creek and we decided to move camp up hill about 1km on Nolan Creek Rd at a bush camp marked on our map, nice spot, and away from some idiot motor bike riders.

It was a very cold night, probably the coldest I've experienced while hiking but the morning was beautiful, crisp, clear and the sun through the trees was worth the broken sleep.

Another great day ahead with clear sky's we left at 9.15 back towards Nolan Creek Picnic area. We crossed the river and passed the yobbos and head up the Nolan Ridge Tk in a south direction hoping to see some nice views as indicated on the map. Nup, no views, but the climb up the track was tough but good. Even at the height of 800mt the bush was still very green and huge tree ferns in parts as if we were down by the river.

We got onto the Blackwood Ridge Rd and made McLaughlins Lookout by 11am. The bush was nice but not sure what we were meant to look out for, still nothing to see but forest.

After a short break we headed for the Easter Monday Mine and after having to back track a little when we took the wrong turn, we arrived at 12.15. We dumped our packs at the info sign explaining about the mine and started looking f

or it. 45 min later and we found the mine entrance couple hundred meters down the hill, nowhere near the sign and track that was on the map. Very misleading but worth the search. Cool looking mine but we couldn't go in as it was full of water, but in a great spot.

When you see the mine sign post, read it then keep walking down the main track for a few hundred meters, another little track appears to the south, the mine is at the end of that.

We left the E.M.M at 1.15 and and arrived at Garden of St Erth half hour later then it was back on the G.D.T. This last section was definitely the nicest. The Imperial Mine was cool to explore and it was great to be on a normal walking track and something that wasnt ripped up by 4WDs. Nice flowing river with lush green bush was a great way to finish off the walk as we arrived at Kendalls house in Blackwood at 2.45pm.

Lerderderg Gorge 2

The Waterfall.

While walking the gorge last year from Darley to Blackwood(Wazza's first blog), we noticed on our maps a waterfall off track a bit and thought we must find it one day. A Saturday in early June 2011 was the day to go looking. The party included myself, Brent and Jonah. We parked on the top of Mt Blackwood at the end of Lohs Lane and with our day packs on headed into the gorge. It was 8.30am and it didn't take long to reach the start of the Ah Kow track. This track takes you into the gorge and down to the river. Heading east bound the track slowly dropped into the gorge with some nice views along the way.

The last km was extremely steep and slippery, huge care had to be taken and I had a couple of falls on the way down. This is a track I wouldn't want to climb so I started looking for another way out of the gorge.
We hit the Aw Kow ruin and mine and had a break, de-packed and put on our head lamps. It was time to explore the mine. Hand and knees at start then you could stand up. It wasn't long before we could no longer see the mine entree and the ground become soft underfoot with bat droppings. There were tiny bats hanging from the roof.
We reached the end and headed out.

We geared up and headed down river for the bears head track (last years 1st camp site). The river had a bit of water in it and was flowing faster than last year so there was plenty of river crossing.


The gorge hasn't changed, still beautiful with towering cliff faces either side and great scenery.

We came across the dried out inlet that enters the Lederderg River described on the map as The Old River. Approx 1km up the Old river was the waterfall. Before going after the waterfall we continued along the Lerdy for another 5min and had lunch at the start of the Bears Head Range Track. This track was going to be our exit point from the gorge later on.

After lunch we headed up the Old River. Once again there were cliff faces either side and as we got closer to the waterfall there was more water in the river. We had to scale along a few cliff faces and across huge logs to avoid getting wet and an hour after leaving Bears Head we reached the falls.

There was a nice sized pool under the 5 mt waterfall but only a trickle flowing over it. The water in the pool was pristine so off with the boots and we waded in, bloody cold.

We headed back to Bears Head then started up the track. The first section was tough climbing out of the gorge. Shear drops both sides made every step important. Loose your footing in the first section of the Bears Head Range Track and your dead. The climb become a walk as the track started flattening out and looking down into the gorge was great.

Once we hit the Blackwood Range Track we walked west along a 4wd track that not on the map for about 1km till we hit The Foxy Gully Track, then simply back to the car by 3.30pm. I really enjoyed this walk, it was extremely tough in places but I dint think I could ever get board of this place.

Mt Bogong

Via Staircase Spur

I was on a boys weekend in May 2011. We were up in Tawonga staying in the caravan Park. As we drove in to town towering above everything else was Mt Bogong, Victoria's highest mountain at an impressive 1986mt tall.

Saturday morning and while the other softies in the group were cracking their first beer and debating what time to hit the pub, I was lacing up my boots for a solo attempt on the summit via the famous Staircase Spur.

I was dropped off at the Mountain Creek camp ground at 8am, 550mt above sea level. There were a few groups of campers staying at Mountain Creek as I began my walk.

The short 2km walk to the start of the Staircase along the 4wd track was nice. The river was flowing, the bush was very green and small bridges made the river easy to cross.

At 8.30am at a height of 660mt I started the climb up the Staircase. The bush was very thick and the heavily walked track was well defined. It was a strenuous climb from the start but with only a day pack on it was a lot easier than Feathertops Diamintina Spur.

Still amongst the trees I arrived at Bivouac Hut at 9.45. I had climbed to 1422mt a decided to take a break. The Hut is the half way mark up the spur and would be a good spot to camp if needed. The sun was shinning and I started to get some nice views to the north and back towards Twaonga.

I left Bivouac Hut at 11am for the final climb to the summit. About 10min later small patches of snow started appearing along the sides of the track and some nice views of the summit were to be seen.

As I accended higher there were amazing views to the north east looking down on all the mountains and it wasnt long till I broke through the tree line where the temp dropped and the ground became very rocky.

The track was still well defined with snow poles leading to the top. With no trees the views were amazing and I could see clearly the Eskdale Spur to the east.


As I was nearing the top I passed a memorial cairn dedicated to a 3 lives lost in a blizzard in 1943. The snow was also becoming widespread and thick and the temperature was dropping dramatically.

The final walk to the top was through soft ankle deep snow and I probably should have zipped the legs back on my shorts but I just wanted to get to the top.

I reached the summit cairn at 11.10am and as I did the clouds rolled in. It was freezing so I put on a heap of layers and sat down, cracked a can of pepsi max and had a snack.

I could see a group of walkers in the distance heading along the ridge toward Cleve Cole Hut. The views from the top were OK but a bit obscured by the clouds. After 25min alone on the highest point in Victoria I started my journey down the mountain at 11.35am

As I got lower the layers were removed and the views returned but the overcast conditions remained. I passed 2 groups of 5 walkers on their way up who unfortunately were not going to see much from the top as the clouds were getting thicker and I could no longer see the summit.

At 12.40 I had a 10min break at the Bivouac Hut then continued down the mountain. As my knees were starting to get sore with the decent there were a few more walkers heading for the top.

At 2pm I was back on the 4wd track making my way to the camp ground where I had called through to be picked up at 2.30. I had phone reception the whole way.

Even though I was on track the entire time it was good to try out my hand held GPS. I knew exactly how far I had walked, how fast I was walking and I enjoyed knowing how high I was.

I had walked 13km in 6.5 hours and used today as recon for a bigger walk later in the year that will take in a few nights camping on the mountain.

I had a great day and enjoyed catching up with the boys around the fire at the end, even though I was very sore.

Mt Feathertop via Diamatina Spur

The last weekend of November 2010 saw Brent, Kev and myself take a trip to the Victorian Alps for a 3 day trek from Mt Hotham to Mt Feathertop and back.

After loading up on the complementary jam and peanut butter from Wangaratta Maccas we arrived at the top of Mt Hotham in the Mt Lock carpark at 1pm on Friday.

The weather was gloomy, heavy misty rain with poor visibility and I had a bad feeling that we chose the wrong weekend.



We put on all our wet weather gear and headed off from the carpark toward Mt Lock. Within half and hour our luck had changed as the sky started to clear and we were able to remove heaps of cloths.




It was here that I got an indication of what we were in for with our first sighting of Feathertop and the the razorback that leads to it. It looked amazing and I couldn't wait to continue.

After an hour we come to the start of the Swindlers walking track which headed in a south direction and it wasn't long before we hit Derrick Hut . At this stage we were still 1700mt high and there were great views to the south. The track was well defined and at every 40mt there was a 15ft wooden pole .








As we started to make our decent we headed into the snow gum forest, and continued down to the fast flowing Cobungra River. the track got quite steep near the end as we dropped down to 1300mt.



We had walked 9km, it wasn't even 4pm yet and there was plenty of daylite left, but we wern't going on. We had arrived at Dibbons Hut and new that this was the place that we wanted to spend the night.











The old log cabin was set in the middle of a grassy field , next to a flowing river and surrounded by mountains. Absolutely beautiful.





After setting up the tripod for the group shot we lit the fire, set up tents and relaxed just as the light rain started.









We rose early to clear skies and as I ate my porridge Kev was cooking up a storm, eggs, bacon, mushrooms. We left at 8.30, crossed a small foot bridge and headed north. It took us just under and hour and a half to reach Blairs Hut where we stopped for a break. As we were de-packing by yet another great looking log cabin which is on the West Kiewa River we were surprised by a person coming out of the hut in his PJ's which were pulled up to his chest. Harry was welcoming and told us he was staying in the hut for a few days. He had wire hoops everywhere that he used for a game of croquet. Harry mentioned that he had climbed Diamantina Spur over 10 times and it was tough, especially the first section.











We left Harry to his croquet and continued north along the river, mostly slightly downhill. At 10.55am we had reached the start of the dreaded Diamantina Spur Track and we prepared for the 3.9km climb to the Razorback.




The first hour was completely uphill with no flat sections. At times we had to scale rock faces and navigate ourselves around cliffs. There was a track the whole way but was tough to find in places. As we got higher up the mountain the track slowly started to get easier but it was still an uphill slog.












About 2 hours into our climb up the spur we stopped for lunch on a grassy area with sensational views of Hotham to the south, the razorback and the incredibly powering Mt Feathertop to the north.




As we continued our trek up the spur we could see a group of 10 walkers on the summit of Feathertop far in the distance. The south face of Feathertop had huge pieces of ice on it. Near the end of the track there was a pretty good camp site not much before the junction of the Razorback. If you had some water left from the climb it would be a good spot to set camp as there wouldn't be anyone there. At 2.10 we had reached the Razorback. It had taken us 3hours, 15min to climb the 3.9km spur with full packs. Hard work but rewarding as we had a great view of the spur from the top and a massive scence of achievement.


We had walked about 15 min along the Razorback towards Federation Hut when the weather started to turn. The clouds rolled in and the mist turned to light rain. From this point on our views were gone. Feathertop had disappeared and it was out with the full wet weather gear.








We arrived at Federation at 2.50 and thought I was back in the city with people everywhere. Tents spread all over the place and we figured there would be at least 20 hikers,if not more camping there that night. We had a quick think and looked at the map and decided to head for the MUMC Hut which is located 2km down the North West Spur.




As we walked back toward Feathertop to the North West Spur we come across another group of hikers who were heading to the MUMC as well. They had just come from the summit and said it was pointless going up as you cant see a thing.







About 500mt along the Northwest spur there was a fast flowing spring with heaps of fresh water. It took us an hour to get from Fed Hut to MUMC hut in poor conditions but we were glad to get inside and start drying off.




There was water at the hut but no fire place and no fires are allowed up there so hiking stoves are required.





The rain didn't ease all night and after Brent finished the port and we had a few games of Uno it was off to bed. The hut would easily sleep 20 hiker. Today we covered almost 15km.



The morning was no different, the rain continued and didn't look like easing. Our gear dried a little overnight but we knew the walk back to the car was going to be interesting. We left at 8.40, walking through what resembled a river. The water flowing down the mountains made the tracks soaked. We hit the start of the Razorback at 9.30 and started our final journey back to the car.







At no time could we see more than a few hundred metres so the famous views from the Razorback weren't to be today. Three hours of hard walking saw us get to Diamantina Hut at 12.30pm. We passed a few groups that were returning from Federation Hut and like us were looking forward to some dry cloths.





A short half hour walk along the road saw us back to the car at Mt Lock car park with the weather exactly as it was when we left on the Friday arvo. We had just walked 14km, 13.8 of which our feet were soaked.



This was an amazing trip even though the the rain spoilt the last part. I would recommend the course we took highly as staying at Dibbons Hut was a highlight and the walk up Diamatina Spur was challenging but rewarding.

Dandenong Rangers National Park

1000 Steps

October 2010 and the family and I wanted to give the famous 1000 steps a go in Ferntree Gully. We arrived mid arvo on a cold, drizzly day thinking it would be quiet, but we were wrong, it was packed.

We parked in the Ferntree Gully picnic area at the base of the mountain with the signs saying that the 1000 steps were 800mt up the Kokoda Memorial Track.

With my son on my back and daughter along side we head off with my wife close behind.

The 800mt walk to the start of the steps was an easy uphill stroll with memorial plaques lining the side of the track.

At the start of the steps the track narrows dramatically and with lots of walkers and joggers it was very tight in spots.

From here to the top is about 1.7km, uphill and it was tough, especially with Baxter on my back. My 5yo daughter did really well, she walked 2/3 of the way, I carried her the rest. There are rest areas along the way which we took advantage of.

Except for the loads of people the walk was beautiful, the stream was flowing nicely after recent rain and the trees and ferns looked great.

It took us about 40min to reach the top from the car park where we had a well deserved rest and gave Baxter a run around.

The walk down was just as hard and while the kids had a play on the playground in the picnic area I thought I would go back up by myself, without the pack, to see how long it would take.

I gave it a good crack and got up in 9min with 7min to get back down, from the base of the stairs.

Good walk on the day, I wouldn't want to go there on a nice day, I'm tipping it would be packed.

Werribee Gorge

Circuit Walk

It was late August 2010. Brent and I decided to tackle the walk which is quite popular for day hikers in the area. The Werribee Gorge is 10min past Bacchus Marsh along the Western Hwy.

So far we have had a wet winter which meant the river would be up and flowing. We parked the car at the bottom picnic ground, Meikles Point and set off on the 8 km circuit walk around lunch time.

We head in an anti-clockwise direction up the track towards the Quarry Picnic area and continued up to the Eastern Viewpoint. After taking in some great view to the north the track kept rising until we hit the top at Picnic Point. It took us a bit over an hour of complete uphill walking to reach this magnificent lookout which looks down into the gorge and you can see the walking track far below near Needles Beach.

From here it was along the ridge and we started to make a slow decent into the gorge to meet up with the river. I really enjoyed this part of the walk as the track was narrow in places with drop offs on either side.

We soon hit the river and it was flowing nicely. We wound our way along the river where we stopped for a 15min break at Needles beach. This was quite a large pool and looked like a good swimming hole in the summer.

The track continued along the river and there were parts where we had to do some serious rock hopping to keep ourselves from getting wet. This was great and challenging at times.

After passing Pyramid Rock we came to a section where you had to use a thick wire rope attacked to the rock wall to keep going. This bit was cool and it was now an easy walk along the disused aqueduct back to the car.

he walk took us 2.5 hours and I enjoyed it a lot.

WERRIBEE GORGE

Take 2

Early Jan 2012 and it was time to kick of my wife Tammy's and her mum Lynne's training for a mid year conquer of Mt Bogong. The aim for today was the 8km circuit walk around the Werribee Gorge.

Tammy and Lynne have a moderate level of fitness and are beginner hikers so I was allowing 4 hours for the circuit to be completed.

Leaving the Quarry Picnic Area at 1pm on this overcast, 30 degree day, we headed in an anti-clockwise direction.

Having a quick stop at all the lookouts we cautiously made our way down to the river which was surprisingly flowing nicely.

We stopped at 2.45 at Needles Beech for a rest and I had a nice swim in the watering hole. It was beautiful.

We left at 3.15 heading towards Meikles Point. Tam and Lynne did great over all the rocks and shimmering around the cliff faces.

After passing a few people having a swim in the poles closer to the car park, we hit Meikles Point Picnic Area at 4pm then continued uphill for the last and hardest part of the walk arriving at the car at 4.30 for an icy cold pepsi max that was awaiting.

3.5 hours was a great effort and a good start to the longer more difficult walk that awaits the girls later in the year.