25.6km +530m -617m
Feeling somewhat refreshed after twelve hours in the hammock. A beautiful, if somewhat misty and damp dawn.
It was a nice enough walk along the Port Phillip trail (though I think we’re some distance from Port Phillip) and mosquito creek trail. The weather is perfect for walking.
After Ghost Gully campground the trail becomes less open and the forest provides nice shade.
Rod had planned to visit Old Coolamine Homestead, a few km detour, but chose not to. I spotted something in the distance and verified it as the homestead through my monocular. Close enough!
Gary from the CBC told me a couple of months ago as we walked along the other side of the Coolamine Plain that there is an old cherry orchard tucked into a valley off the plain. He pointed vaguely. I found some corroborating details online, but nothing that gave a good location. I decided I’d split off from Rod and go and have a look for it. He preferred to continue to Bill Jones hut.
I had nice weather for it, and the valleys were cool and shaded. I met a blue tongue lizard.
I continued further afield without finding any cherries. I crossed marshes and climbed the hill that separated one valley from the next (Spot Height 1369).
I descended into that one too. I found a couple of dead horses, somewhat validating what I’ve heard that the cull has avoided killing them near trails and roads, since these are the first I’ve seen.
Eventually I had to give up, and I popped over the ridge to the north, dropped down to cross seventeen flat creek, and got onto Blue Waterholes trail.
I added quite a lot of distance to my day, but I was glad I did, even if I didn’t find any cherries.
When I reached Bill Jones hut, Rod mentioned that while he was waiting for me to show up, some rangers turned up to look at the place. He asked them about a rumoured cherry orchard, and the ranger was able to roughly point to its location on the map. Heh. If I’d just skirted around the contours towards the second valley instead of going over the hill, I probably would have found it. Oh well.
The area around Bill Jones hut is a very pleasant campsite. On approach you think the closest water is going to be the culvert in the road you cross on the way, but there’s a small creek with a tiny waterfall behind the hut. The dirt floored hut does not invite one to remain inside.
My feet are sore, but unbloodied and unblistered. I rolled the dice on wearing a pair of Scarpas I bought a few weeks ago and wasn’t too sure of. They’ve been pretty good so far.
Another 12 hours in the hammock is required to aid recovery.
