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BELAIR : SADDLE HILL Time : 2 hours 30 minutes, Distance : 7 km |
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SADDLE HILL
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• 1 I had expected this walk to be quite short, but it is lengthened by a spontaneous decision to follow around this boundary track as an alternative to descending the steep Kaloola Track again.
• 2 It is a good decision! A very pleasant track, although the traffic noise from the nearby road is intrusive.
• 3 It doesn’t take long to arrive at the Nookoo Track, which descends here with an easy grade.
• 4 There are nice views out over this extensive Park.
• 5 Arriving at the Valley Road we turn right, following another section of the Tom Roberts Trail, above the road. Below us is a thicket of tree sticks: the magic of spring has yet to make its transformation here.
• 7 These majestic old tress, and others like them were intentionally planted in the 1920s.
• 8 This is obviously past history: who today would plant exotic trees in a National Park?
• 9 A pleasant sight for the eyes, none-the-less.
• 10 We now reach Long Gully, and turn left where Saddle Hill Road branches off.
• 11 However, we don’t follow up the road, but take the track across at right. It might be a mistake: it is rather steep!
• 12 Here is a sight to gladden the heart!
• 13 We can look down on the Old Shed: God’s view on many past Sunday School picnics?
•14 After this view the gradient eases. There are lots of trees on this walk, and lots of birds too. “I wish you two would turn around and be sociable!”
• 15 Finally the end of the track comes into view as we arrive at Saddle Hill Road. We turn left here.
• 16 Some of the gum trees carry these curious ‘burls’, knotty protuberances caused by some past stress.
• 17 A prankster with a sense of humour has been at work here. However, we bush walkers are not fazed by 12% slopes, especially when they are down-hill.
• 18 It’s not only burls that the gum trees have to cope with.
• 19 The road crosses the little Tamma Creek, and we follow this Station Gully Track back to the right. The information sign tells about weeding and revegetation work in the Park. There is a constant battle against the invasion of weeds like broom and blackberry.
• 20 Unfortunately I miss the (goods) train by ten minutes. I felt saddened looking at this old derelict station though. We live in a time when (electric) trains should be in their hey-day, but much of the infrastructure has fallen into disuse and disrepair.
• 21 Continuing down the main road we find this description of current Park restoration policy, and the reasons behind it.
•22 Another sad scene. This gum tree looks to be in perfectly good health – well, apart from its position and dissection! The ground got too wet and it just fell over.
• 23 The little creek is pretty in spring with its following of wild flowers.
•24 Now we are back at the Long Gully intersection, marked by the tall Candle Pine. The Kaloola Track ascends behind.
•25 It takes me 15 minutes to make this climb. What was I saying about bush walkers and gradients? I reckon that the slope here is about 30%: hard work! The top of the Kaloola Track is not signed, but if we look carefully it is possible to spot this Tom Roberts Trail sign.
A good walk with plenty of exercise.
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SADDLE HILL
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