Mt Somers
Just two happy souls set off from Medway carpark at 8am, Saturday 12 December heading for Mt Somers – via Geraldine – for a weekend tramp. After charging the EV with power and at least one bod with coffee, we arrived at Woolshed Creek carpark (following an unexpected road diversion) after 11am. Given the lack of traffic on route, it was surprising to find a fairly full carpark – but this is a much-loved tramping spot for good reason. The scenery is magic, the tracks offer a range of physical effort – including a full 26km circuit, a scramble up to the 1687m Mt Somers summit, or a quiet ‘nature trail’ wander. Having not walked with full packs for a while, our intention was not too ambitious – the 5km track to an overnighter at Woolshed Creek Hut.
The weather could not have been better – sunny with a cool sou’wester breeze as we heaved packs on and started up a valley full of history. The story boards outlining the working reality of Blackburn coalmine were brought to life by remnants of old machinery, the engineering feat of the steep incline from minehead to railhead, the impressive extent of tailings – all achieved with sheer muscle power.
After following the old tramway, the track rises past the mine through regenerating beech and rocky slopes to a high point of 934m before descending to the hut tucked, streamside, in an apparently sheltered valley – the visiting ranger noted that the wind can and often does power through, however. For us, it could not have been more peaceful as we dumped packs in a fairly empty hut and wandered off to explore the swing-bridge, Emerald pool (living up to its name) and some of the rhyolitic basalt rock formations that make the Mt Somers reserve popular with climbers. The 26-bunk hut was a very comfy ‘great walks’ standard – and there is ample camping space around it. That there were a few parent/child combos staying over highlights the hut’s popularity with family groups.
That ‘rocks rule’ was even more evident as we set off at 7.30am next day to explore the “water caves” on route to the Saddle. Here, huge tumbled rocks provide a diverting maze for the creek to flow under, over, or around. The randomness of such huge forces is mind-boggling.
Cloud drifted in as we headed up to the 1170m Saddle but the views of Taylor and Old Man Ranges were still impressive and the sun emerged again as we met trampers heading up from the Pinnacles Hut. Although originally intending to head back via the Rhyolite Ridge Track, we decided to avoid what would have been a steeper descent to the carpark and returned via a one km walk up a road that accesses the hut before heading back across to the Miners Track (near the Trig) and retracing our footsteps back to the Woolshed Creek carpark by mid-afternoon. We agreed that this is an area worth exploring further.
Vicki and Mike.
