International Mountain Day 3 Stieglitz
Mount Steiglitz / Kal Kal Karrah
DATE: Monday 8 December 2025
TIME: 9.30 for a 9.45 Start Leader: Arie Baelde. 4 km.
DURATION: approx. 4 km, 2.5 Hours, Steep but Easy. 9.30am meet at Pykes Creek Reservoir
WALK LEADER: Arie Baelde
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DESCRIPTION:
Mount Steiglitz / Kal Kal Karrah (637m) within the seldom visited Mt Steiglitz Scenic Reserve north of Ballan, including glacial deposits at nearby Pykes Creek. Overlooking extensive First Nations volcanic plains..
IMD 2025 is a contribution to the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025, supporting efforts to underscore the critical role mountain regions play as a key source of global freshwater and ecosystem services. We will start our adventure at Pykes Creek reservoir in an ancient glacial deposit which resulted in a wealth of available stone resources for First Nations people and colonists. Faulting and volcanic eruptions created a natural depression with a narrow outlet. Once dammed, water from the main divide could be collected and stored for agricultural use and now for the rapid western expansion of Melbourne. We will travel in convoy to Mt Steiglitz (the anglicised spelling), crossing the Greendale Fault, passing gold era sandstone buildings from locally quarried stone. Mt Steiglitz is a Newer volcanic scoria cone well elevated above the surrounding landscape.
The Mount is situated on the former Ballenee pastoral lease. From 1839 to 1859 this was the home of Emma von Stieglitz (the original Bavarian spelling). Emma was an amateur sketch artist whose perceptive landscapes provide insight into the pre-colonial condition of Wadawurrung Country. Her sketches also preserve pre-colonial placenames and evidence of Aboriginal people’s presence in the landscape. In naming her sketch of Ballenee ‘Mt Stieglitz or Kal-kal-karrah’ she expressed her wish for the traditional name to be preserved. The summit provides expansive views of the upper Moorabool and Werribee catchments. Cattle may be present.
DIFFICULTY: Easy, with a short, sharp climb.
DOGS: Dogs are not allowed on this walk which crosses privately owned livestock paddocks.
REGISTRATION: Registration up until Friday 5 December
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For questions: a.baelde@gmail.com
BRING: Walkers should bring their own first-aid kit and any required personal medications, water bottles, personal hiking gear (sun glasses, walking sticks, small pack, etc). Wear clothing appropriate for the predicted weather conditions on the day. Hiking boots or good walking shoes are recommended. Bring Lunch.
MEET: Pykes Creek Reservoir, details to be confirmed closer to the date.
HEALTH AND SAFETY: If you are ill on the day of the walk, please stay at home. It will be early Autumn so keep an eye on the expected weather, we cancel events at late notice if too hot, fire bans etc. Please call or text the walk leader if you are unable to attend.
GUEST MEMBERSHIP AND INSURANCE: The walk is free to members and open to non-members. For non-members, a $10 fee is payable for insurance cover under the Bushwalking Victoria insurance policy. Please note that children under 5 years cannot be covered by this policy.
BRING: It is recommended, you carry a personal first aid kit, your own medication, water bottles, sun screen and personal hiking gear (sun glasses, walking sticks, small pack, etc). Wear clothing appropriate for the predicted weather conditions on the day. Bring light refreshments and Lunch for breaks.
BOOKINGS: Bookings are essential and open 2 weeks before the walk. You may cancel your booking by returning to this page and clicking the cancel button. This will free up a space for other walkers. If the walk is full, you can elect to be put on the waiting list. You will be emailed if a space becomes available. You have 24hrs before the space is withdrawn and offered to the next on the list.
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