As the temperature was expected to be 32C we had an early start for this walk; the group left Wangaratta at 7.30am, and then Myrtleford at 8.15am, and we were walking by 9am.
There were three options of walks, the longest 17km return, medium 12km return, and the shortest was 9km return. Each group travelled together in 1-2 cars, and started at different locations along the same road. A total of 15 people all together.
The temperature was 15 degrees when we started, with clear blue sky. Most of the walk was in semi-shade. The views were spectacular as we wound our way up towards the summit.
There were a large variety of vegetation types in flower that some walkers identified for the rest of us, which is an added bonus when you go for a walk in a group such as ours.
All the groups had their morning tea on their own, but gradually the groups merged, and we all had an early lunch together on the summit. Up there we had 360° views, where smoke could be seen in the north and northeast directions, from the fires.
However as we looked towards Mt Buffalo the sky was clear blue, which was a delight to the senses.
We then meandered down the “hill”, still mostly in shade, with views of Mt Buffalo behind the trees.
We got back to our cars about 12.30pm from the shortest walk, and about 1.30pm for the ones who did the longest walk. The temperature had then reached 30 degrees.
The walkers who could do so met in the park in the centre of Myrtleford, and here we enjoyed the provided afternoon tea, and some socialising, while we rested our tired bodies.
[Marita]