Meehan Hills 2019

Today Bob is taking us on a walk in the Meehan Hills on the eastern shore.

This is the coldest day of the year so far, my car is completely white and I had trouble getting the doors open not to mention defrosting the windows.

Just before we set off, Bob gives us the interesting news that we'll do the walk in reverse. Sounds good to me.

It's still clear on arrival as we set off.

It's cold over here too

Some wanted some proof it was cold, so the above and a couple following will be proof of that.

Frosty gum leaves

 Bob is leading us up beside the creek bed, promising few hills on the walk. The track winds up, heading for our Morning Tea spot. 

The weather is sunny in spots, clear and cool. Perfect for walking.

Morning Tea

We'll go this way, but only for a short distance before turning off

Top of the track we came up

Tea finished, we move on turning off the main track to take another, smaller one heading up the hill.

 The soil, such as it is, is pretty terrible on Simmons Hill. I can see some evidence of logging, but no large stumps so it's probably just wood hookers in the past.

It's easy walking up, but heading down keep your mind on your feet as it can be a bit of a slippery slope due to loose soil and rocks.

A bit of a view if you get in the right place. Peter found this one

The vegetation is changing, so we must be very close to the bottom

Reaching a large road at the bottom, we turn right.

We follow the road until it comes to a locked gate, backtrack to another branch we're familiar with and turn left following the edge of the reserve.

Passing a couple of dams, one that appears new, we cross a large cleared area, through an open gate and find a sunny spot for lunch.

It's also cold on this side of the hill

For any frozen puddles out there reading this, beware walkers with poles. They can't resist the temptation to go poking.

Lunch

I have a little look around and the soil isn't any better here.

Waiting for the others to catch up. Doesn't happen often

Bob managed to past me somehow

 The road we're following appears to be fairly old, but someone has recently along it trimming back some of the she oaks.

The road was very well constructed when it was built. Peter points out the free stone wall supporting the downhill side. In some places it would be head height for anyone working on ground level. I would like to know the history of it.

On we go, until Bob heads off track to another farther down. This takes us down, through an old quarry area and up a nice steep climb  along a fence boundary.

Off track

Past houses and one fairly friendly dog, we make our way back to our cars.

On the way back, Peter risks frostbite to demonstrate the thickness of a frozen puddle

This was a very good walk with perfect weather, thanks to Bob.

I think it was 13 walkers and covered 9.89km in 3:41hrs.


Click here to download GPX file