Blackwood Mt Wilson Walk 241124

Blackwood to Mt Wilson loop walk 

DATE: Sunday 24 November, 2024

TIME: 9.00-17.00

DIFFICULTY: Hard, AWT GRADE 4 AWT Grade information. 20 km, altitude gain approx 700 m

WHO IS THIS WALK FOR?:  This walk is much harder than anything the GDTA have scheduled for many years. It is only suitable for experienced walkers who regularly walk long distances in steep country. Due to the lack of phone reception and the inaccessibility of some of the tracks by vehicles there will be limited options for bail-out.  Not for dogs.

DESCRIPTION: This walk is a day-long adventure in the Wombat forest that includes steep ascents and descents, short off-track sections and a fording of the Lerderderg river. We will be without phone reception for most of the day and can immerse ourselves in nature and history with few modern day intrusions. The GDTA’s Lerderderg Track interpretation signs on our way feature the familiar ‘Wombat’ mix of gold, timber, alcohol and accidents for which, according to the inquests, ‘no blame was attached to anyone’. We climb up Big Hill while the legs are fresh, descend to the Lerderderg River and have a decent morning tea at a pool in the river. We cross over and follow the Lerderderg Track to the foot of Mt Wilson. We will then head up to Blackwood Ridge Road through a diverse range of forest types and have lunch on the way up. We reach the highest point of the day at 840 m on McLaughlin’s lookout and start our descent to Blackwood via Fosters Lookout and past the Easter Monday mine site. More mining history follows at Simmons Reef and we will make our way back to Blackwood via Baldy’s hut and the former ‘Chinese market gardens’.

MEET: Blackwood, precise location and time details will be confirmed prior to the walk.

BRING

Necessary: 2 L water, Backpack, Rain jacket, Personal first aid kit, Sun hat and sunscreen, Sufficient food for a long day

Recommended: Gaiters, Walking poles

REGISTRATION: Numbers are limited; registration closes two days prior to the event. Non-GDTA members who register to bring $10 cash on the day to cover walker insurance. Link:

WALK LEADERS: Arie Baelde, Greg Stewart