What a beautiful day it was, for the now traditional Cup Day walk, this time in the delightful King Valley.
A group of energetic people had booked in to walk the ridge that divides the King Valley from the Myrrhee Valley; some travelled out from Wangaratta, others went directly to Honey’s Lane, the finishing point of the walk.
From Honey’s Lane, we drove off to nearby Peiper’s Lane to start the walk, and after parking alongside a vineyard, we walked up a steady incline, increasing in gradient as we came closer to to the top of the hill.
Here, it was great to find some shade, and great views, for a well earned morning tea stop.
We then headed north along the ridge, which gave us more amazing views, of both the Myrrhee and King Valleys. The sky was blue, with a smattering of white clouds, which made for spectacular pictures of the landscape (see photo – the caption for this reads “please stay in a straight line for this section of the walk”).
With permission from some local landholders we were fortunate to have great tracks to tramp on for most of the walk.
Continuing on, some walkers chose to amble up to a trig point, while others met them by walking on the low road, to enjoy lunch on a grassy slope, with more great views.
After lunch, the horses were drawn for the Cup Sweep, so we were all prepared for the big event.
We then walked a little further along the ridge, before tackling a steep descent down to farmland, and then along a road, back to the waiting cars.
There were beautiful wildflowers to see in the bush, and some very interested cattle in the lunch paddock.
We all enjoyed the 10km walk, and it was followed up with a lovely time spent together at the Red Feet Winery, just north of Whitfield.
Platters of food, and some glasses of wine, were enjoyed by those in attendance, as we watched the 161st Melbourne Cup Race, outdoors on TV.
In the sweep, the main winner was Lef (see photo), who now is the proud holder of the magnificent club trophy for the next 12 months.
Yve, Kath and Glenda were also victors with their horses, as drawn in the sweep.
[Anne]
Coming events
Saturday, 6th November. South Buffalo Track, Mt Buffalo. Jeanette, 0417 546 974.
An easy walk of approx 8k along a bush track from Cresta Valley, initially climbing a ridge, then meandering through snowgum meadows, and small snow plains, past The Tombstones, and on to the South Buffalo viewpoint. Fantastic views!
Sunday, 21st November. Mt Jack Track from Rosewhite Gap. Marita, 0427 521 122
Short, medium and hard options, on a bush track with the steepest section at the start. A steady climb to Mt Jack meandering through mature native forest with views toward Rosewhite, Ovens Valley,
Mt Buffalo, Kiewa Valley, Mt Bogong.
The longest and hardest option is a loop of 16km, with ascent/descent of 833m.
The shorter and medium options are both return walks. A walk to the highest point is 11km return, with 384m ascent/descent. Shorter options are to any point, and then turn around.
A car shuffle option is also possible, subject to the weather; approx 10km with 295m ascents, 450m descents, including beyond the highest point of the track, and down to a creek.