2005 Trip Note

Pack Carry: 30 September 2005 - Mt Stapylton – Golton Gorge – Potters Creek

Contributor: Joycelyn Nesvold

Source: "The News", November, 2005

Photogallery:

Bert and I met Bob, Gerry, Alan, Bill, Trish, Claire, Kerry, Jan and Andreas at the Mt Zero picnic area on a perfect Saturday morning.

We warmed up with a short walk without packs up Mt Zero where we had great views across the Wimmera plains on one side, with Mt Arapiles and Mitre Rock clearly visible in the distance, and to Hollow Mountain/Mt Stapylton on the other. Returning to the picnic area we put on our packs and climbed over Flat Rock (it may be fl at but is definitely not horizontal!) and up alongside the towering Taipan Walls, with more beautiful views of the rugged range and the sheer red cliffs. Off-loading our packs a bit further on we made the ascent past a huge wind cave to the top of Mt Stapylton for more great views and a leisurely lunch.

Back with our packs the onward track took us over and around rock slabs to the top of the plateau and with a final, easy section to our well grassed camping area above Golton Gorge. We arrived quite early so we put up tents and then completed a circuit walk of the Gorge where there was just a meagre trickle of water. Fortunately Bob had, with foresight, organised to leave 4 litre of water per person, brought from Plantation campground, at the bottom. The gorge is quite steep in places and the afternoon sun brought out the beautiful colours in the sandstone of the cliffs.

The following morning we awoke to cloud and a little mist which soon cleared. After a short stroll along Polners Road we struck out off track through open woodland to a rocky outcrop at the edge of the plateau. After enjoying more views a short scramble down the rocks took us into dramatically different vegetation of Potters Creek catchment, with taller trees and thicker scrub. Picking our way along and a little above the creek we picked up an old track which became more definite as we neared Mt Stapylton campground, where we had yet another leisurely lunch after checking out the adjacent Cave of Ghosts.

Meanwhile the clouds had cleared altogether, leaving us to make our way back to Mt Zero picnic area across the open sandy plain and over Flat Rock in the full blaze of afternoon sun.

The park was a profusion of wildflowers and bird life was also plentiful. We were grateful to our knowledgeable companions such as Alan, Gerry and Kerry for spotting and identifying so many of the varieties of flowers, orchids and birds we encountered.

Thank you Bob for putting on an excellent walk at the perfect time and with just about perfect weather (how do you do it?). It brought back fond memories for Bert and I. Thanks also to all who came – we really enjoyed your company.