This was an enjoyable eight kilometre walk in Beechworth Historic Park, passing through degraded riparian scrubland (a legacy of the Reids Creek Goldfields mining activity in the mid-late 1800s).
On our way to the proposed starting point, we found that Gorge Road was closed for roadworks, so we had to reverse the original planned direction, but this worked in our favour.
Setting off, the seven of us followed a well-marked single-file footpad through to Ponds Track, and then tackled the steep ascent, with stone steps, alongside Spring Creek Cascades.
Once below Gorge Road, we crossed a flat granite rock to the Creek, and enjoyed the swimming holes above the Cascades (a nice treat on a 31c day). We also enjoyed the great views to the north, over the plains.
All that was left to do was to retrace our steps back to Woolshed Falls, where there are excellent amenities.
[Cecily]