On Sunday December 7th six hardy walkers traversed the proposed 9km Picnic Loop at Lake Buffalo. The estimated temperature of 22 degrees, and blue skies, made for perfect bushwalking along a glorious looking Lake Buffalo and alongside the southwest side of the Mt Buffalo National Park.
Although a small group, today was a momentous occasion for the history books of the WRBC. Four of the six walkers were men. Yes, two thirds of the group were male. That’s 66.66% of the walkers were not women. In fact, men doubled the women partaking today.
Our group was ready to walk a little after 9.30am, and we began with a customary photo shoot with the lake and hills in the background. When I show this photo in the future to friends, I am going to say we were walking in the English Lakes District. They’re in England you know.
Walking along the lake was a leisurely stroll for almost two kilometres. A bright red Rosella flying past the vivid blue lake made for a great burst of rich colour. A management vehicle track with a gate marked our entrance to begin the first of two main climbs. I discovered this walk on the All-Trails app. Although called the Lake Buffalo Picnic Loop, it would prove to be no picnic. At least not on some sections of the walk.
Our first climb we ascended 180m over 825m. We took our time, and the Lake was present behind us on each occasion we took notice of our surroundings. Sections of the shore along Lake Buffalo look quite manicured, which proposed the question of whether walking there a possibility might be.
From the reconnoitre we completed in late May, there was considerable new growth on the little used trail, and additional fallen trees that had to be negotiated. The planned morning tea spot was a level section after this first climb. Upon approaching it the first of annoying blackberries tried to entangle our feet as we walked.
Morning tea was taken near some fallen trees in partial shade, and the next section featured the second climb. During this two kilometre stretch we rose another 220m, to reach a height a little above 680m. At this halfway point on our hike, we were as close as we would get to the cliff faces of Mount Buffalo. From here there was a short steep descent where sure footing and concentration was a prerequisite.
Now for the topic of navigating fallen trees. Is there a best way? A supple double-jointed limbo under or an agile climb over? Today we had various examples of what to do, and what not to do. Encountering one such tree, Roger tumbled backwards as the tree was ever so slightly leaning downhill, and the weight of his pack was enough for gravity to say, “I’ll take it from here Roger”. Fortunately, he bounced back up faster than a rubber ball, and was none the worse for wear.
For myself, another tree presented the best option of going under. However there was a slight miscalculation on my behalf. I must have looked like a turtle wedged between the tree and the ground for a moment, as I should have removed my pack first. A drop to my stomach, and belly crawl, enabled me to squeeze through in the end. Jeanette observing my manoeuvre, wisely took her pack off and slid under the tree with ease. Les and Wendy observing all this folly found it was easiest to walk around the tree with a slight diversion, simply a few metres away.
With the hard climbs completed, and a steep descent fulfilled, the remains of the walk were a gentler descent on wider management tracks. Views of the valley opened before us, with still occasional glimpses of the lake. The blackberries beside the trail were now more prevalent, and one dead wombat was observed. It had succumbed to its surroundings and now resembled one of those bear rugs Americans or Canadians might have on the floor. It was nothing but a head and a flattened body covered in fur. Although lunch was imminent, it was proposed to keep walking, and have it on the shores of the lake.
As our trail snaked its way downwards, we navigated one final short steep descent, which then led us into some pine plantation. From here another few hundred metres of walking and we were at the point of our car shuffle.
It was decided to use a car shuffle to negate having to walk the final three kilometres though plantation on dirt roads, as the best sections of the hike were completed.
Once back at the lake, we enjoyed a later than normal leisurely lunch. Possibly the club’s longest. I am certain it had nothing to do with the bottle of Rose’ and Pinot Gris I had brought with me. Andrew too brought some of the tastiest cherries of the season to share.
It was a great day of walking, which had its challenges, in a picture-perfect setting. The 9.3km hike was completed in just under four hours. However the day remains most noticeable because two times as many men, compared to ladies, were present.
Michael Braendler