Lerderderg State Park

Today’s hike was by far the most difficult hike I’ve done to date. My friends were meant to come on this trip but I’m glad they pulled out because this hike was extremely difficult and quite dangerous also.

The trek today was close to around 16km and took us 7hrs in total. Today’s trek was grueling and it didn’t help getting lost a few times also. This state park was very sparse so the tracks were not very clear at certain areas hence we would go off track. This killed a lot of our time but the thing we learnt was to always backtrack if the track didn’t look correct.

We started from Mackenzie’s Flat Picnic area and walked along side the Lerderderg River up to Grahams Dam and then made our way to Lerderderg Tunnel and down to Long Point. From Long Point we went along Long Point Track and then back down Blackwood Ranges Track. From there we went down Link Track back to the river and then back through to Grahams Dam and then back to the car.

There were two major ascents and these were two of the toughest climbs I’ve done, it is relentless in its incline and there were literally no flat tracks. It was constantly up and up and it annoyed us somewhat but we eventually got through the pain barrier. From Grahams Dam to Lerderderg Tunnel Access Tack is a tough climb but the climb at Long Point track was the most punishing. It is only 2.2km but it’s about 1.5hrs of pain!

The most dangerous part of this circuit was at the Link Track. The trail here is not well defined and it is incredibly steep. We spent a lot of time here backtracking because some trails didn’t look like trails and some did but took us to the edge of the cliff. We had a real dilemma while we were on this track.

The sun was setting fast over the hills and we were still quite high in the woods but below us we saw the river. So we had to make a decision just to follow a track and then make our way down to the river anyway possible. The hill was steep and there were a lot of loose rocks so we had to be careful as we slid and climbed down the hill side. We had to be quick as well because there was still along way to go back to the car and the darkness was about to descend on us.

We did eventually get down to the river and we knew we were safe once we made it there. Even if it was dark, we could just follow the river back to the car. I believe hikers who get lost often panic and fail to think clearly about the best option to take. We instinctively knew that if we reach the river while light was still around, we would be safe. I’m not sure if hikers who panic would think of this idea.

By the time we got back on track, we were starving and dreamt of dinner that awaited us. We often talked about our endurance and how coped walking for so long, without much breaks or food!! We got to the car at 6pm, sore, cramped and relieved we had made it.

There are plenty of river crossings on this track so make sure you have sturdy boots. I fell into the water a couple of times but my boots kept the water out. The terrain differs greatly; it is very dry at the top, quite slippery from the loose rocks. The track along the river is soft and very easy to walk on. There is also a vehicular track which is blocked off and only allowed for hikers. There is even a dam and flood gates which is for the Melton region.

It was a hard days work, learnt many lessons and very rewarding to complete a very difficult hike. Remember to read the map properly, always bring some food or energy source, backtrack if you think you are going the wrong way and always keep an eye out for the markers.

More photos can be found here.

60 parks to go!!