It was the winter of 2020 when I decided to up my hiking game and try the Lerderderg Scenic Rim - what seemed like a huge and difficult 16km grade 4 hike with a lot of hills. And it was indeed a pretty tough hike, especially for me at the time. I just did the hike again and it was still pretty difficult, but I like to think my improved skills and fitness made it a little easier this time!
https://www.trailhiking.com.au/the-scenic-rim/
I found some notes I made that day back in 2020 and was good to reminisce on that first big hike.
Damn, this must be the longest and toughest walk I have ever done!If I recall correctly, it was this hike in 2020 that motivated me to get hiking poles, and they sure came in handy yesterday! Knowing where the track turns are also helped. Managed to complete it in 4h 40m.
Started easy as I followed the river up to Grahams Dam, then went up Link 1. This hill climb didn't seem too bad after doing it with the SES guys the week earlier... but we were taking it slowly and stopping quite frequently. On my own, I tried to tackle it like the Werribee Gorge hill, and I lost. It is insanely steep and goes for a few kilometers. I was pissing sweat and had to have a few breaks. I started the walk with singlet, tee shirt, long sleeved tee, hoodie and rain jacket... by the top I was down to singlet and tee.
The walk along the rim was easy going. A few minor ups and downs and a good dirt road. The view was amazing although there was always a narrow strip of trees between the road and the views of the gorge and hills.
Eventually got to Long Point Track. I found it harder than going down Link 2 the previous week. Most of the track was on a constant gradient - not as crazy as Link 2, but steep enough to make you tread carefully and caused a lot of stress on the knees and calves. My legs were cactus by the time I got close to the river... and that is when the path started getting crazy. Some very steep parts, lots of rock scrambling, and some big drops. Slowly navigated down to the river and the weir.
Had lunch by the river and recovered somewhat.
The GPS maps were proving very helpful up until now. It was telling me to cross the river and the weir and continue along a road. I could see the road on the far side of the weir, but could see no way of getting to it! Did a lot of back and forth looking for a path, access to the weir, anything! Eventually tried scrambling along a cliff face on the far side of the river back towards the weir... and then I saw it; there was a set of stairs that led over the top of the weir, but it was hidden from view by a retaining wall. It was a pretty frustrating experience and I was sure the cliff path I was following was some goat track.
On the road again! Nice dirt road to follow back up into the hills. It went up, but not at a steep angle. But it kept going and going and going, up and up and up. I think it was close to 4km of non-stop climbing. I finally saw the top and there was a great view of the park as well as Bacchus. Fortunately I checked the GPS soon after and realised that a walking track veered off the road about 200m back. Turns out this small hiking path was about 50m from the top and the sign was behind a bush - very hard to see from the side I approached it from.
This side track was fairly brutal as well. Similar to Link 2 descent. Lots of rocks for my tired feet to trip over and some crazy steep and slippery parts. Was quite a long descent and it turns out this was the Spur Track and came out by the river at the 503 marker (where we got to with the recent SES rescue).
Had a quick break and a snack as I was feeling pretty drained.
The rest of the walk along the river was easy and uneventful. Getting home and removing my shoes was bliss!
Ended up walking 17km, 25+k steps, and took 5 hours.
Alas the river is pretty dry atm, so here is a recording from 2020 when it was flowing well.
No comments:
Post a Comment