The image shows the conservation park across from my house and whilst it has a certain appeal, an Australianness, to it with gold and green contrasting with the blue sky I have to admit I like it better when it's green. Still, there's a certain beauty to it and as a man who loves nature, being in natural places, I feel comfortable each time I head over for a hike even at this time of year when it's dry.
I've hiked daily for so long although a health situation prevented it for a several months and I only got back to it about a month ago quickly realising how much I'd missed my hikes. I feel...more alive when I'm hiking and because, mostly I do it alone, I feel like I'm the only person on the planet which suits me perfectly.
Over the time I've lived opposite this place I felt confident of having hiked every trail - a lot of hiking considering there's many kilometres of trails - and wasn't tired of any of them yet. I was wrong though...The park held secrets yet undiscovered.
A week or so ago I was hiking, alone but not alone as I had a phone call going, and wasn't paying too much attention to my direction. The trails were familiar and my trusty boots knew the way, or knew I'd not mind them selecting the trails on behalf of my brain. I chatted away with my friend and hiked...one foot in front of the other.
I'd reached a point I knew well, there's a one hundred and seventy year old plough abandoned and rusting away at a section of trail that intersects with two others left down to a small dam and right to the ruins of the homestead to which the plough belonged. Ahead is a small open space that went nowhere. But really? Nowhere? I was busy talking about some things that had me rather well-occupied and, without thinking, went straight ahead.
Across the small open patch was a stand of trees, typical Australian scrub, and I realised I'd have to turn around, but if you believe I did, you're bonkers! Nope, always up for an adventure I walked through and...That's where I found the secret trail!
My secret trail clung precariously to the hills rising above on the right and fell sharply away down a draw and small creek on the left that, at this time of year, was no more than a trickle. On the other side of the creek the hills rose steeply again and all was covered with scatterings of Australian scrub land, natives shrubs, grasses and gum trees.
The trail wound it's way around the hills, rose and fell, and was quite rocky in places; clearly very seldom used.
Looking ahead I saw only more hills, draws, ravines and gullies, steep hillsides of golden grasses interspersed with scrub and the deep blue sky. It was later in the afternoon so all was beginning to stain a rich golden colour and the shadows lengthened quickly. I kept walking, distracted by my phone call but also mindful that being caught out here after dark would be problematic.
I hiked for almost two hours that day and was so pleased to have found the secret trail. I went again and followed it even farther the next day and found some really cool spots. On that second day I stopped to take a drink and was happy to hear three or four kookaburras calling as they began to settle down for the night. It was a nice reminder to turn around and head home as the light was fading, but also a nice moment in general. I am lucky enough to hear their calls from my house most days, but there's something Australian as fuck to hear them in a scrubland setting with no hint of human touch anywhere near by.
I'll be doing some more exploring along that secret trail, that I hope no one else knows about! Of course, someone knows about it, although I'm pretty sure it's rarely used which suits me fine.
I did some research and it looks to follow the creek all the way to the foothills of the Adelaide Hills which, based on a best-guess estimate is about fifteen to seventeen kilometres one way. That's a perfect distance for a there and back in one day hike. Perfect, I'm doing it!
This hike is going to be one that changes dramatically from season to season and with that creek along side which will carry a lot more water as winter comes along there'll be some crossings. It'll green up nicely and I think will be a totally legit place to hike...and all across the road from my house. Well, the start of the park is, the secret trail starts about a kilometre in, basically dead centre in the treeline of the image above.
If you're keen to join me I'm ok to share my secret trail with you. You'll need sturdy hiking boots, a backpack with a first aid kit including snakebite kit, lunch and snacks and at least three litres of water. Bring a hat, sunscreen and a sense of adventure and you're good to go. Are you coming with? Come on, it's only thirty kilometres or so.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
Any image(s) in this post are my own