Not every Meetup event attracts a group, particularly when it is announced at the last minute.
On Thursday 21 September 2017, I posted a spontaneous invitation to join me for a short return hike along Mount Sugarloaf Ridge Track in Kinglake National Park. The plan was simple: make the most of the pleasant weather, get outside and spend some time taking photographs.
No other members joined this particular event, so I completed the walk alone.
My Mount Sugarloaf walk at a glance
- Date: Thursday 21 September 2017
- Starting point: Blackwood Picnic Area, Kinglake National Park
- Route: Mount Sugarloaf Ridge Track
- Distance: 6.6 kilometres
- Walking time: 1 hour 24 minutes
- Total ascent: 146 metres
- Participants: One
- Trail type: Return
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Blackwood Picnic Area and the Sugarloaf Block
Blackwood Picnic Area is located within the Sugarloaf Block of Kinglake National Park. The park protects an extensive area of forest, fern gullies, creeks and rolling hills on Melbourne’s north-eastern fringe.
Kinglake National Park sits across the Traditional Country of the Wurundjeri people to the south and Taungurung people to the north. These landscapes provided food, water and other resources for many thousands of years and remain culturally significant today.
The Sugarloaf Block occupies the southern part of the park. Blackwood Picnic Area provides access to several tracks through the surrounding forest, including the ridge route towards Mount Sugarloaf.
Unlike the rugged river terrain encountered on our previous Lerderderg hike, this was a short and straightforward outing. It was well suited to an afternoon when the main objective was simply to walk, explore and enjoy some time outside.
Following Mount Sugarloaf Ridge Track
Starting from Blackwood Picnic Area, I followed Mount Sugarloaf Ridge Track towards Mount Sugarloaf before returning along the same route.
The track travels through the forested Sugarloaf Block and provides access towards the elevated viewpoints around Mount Sugarloaf. The mountain rises to approximately 550 metres, with views from the area extending across the surrounding valleys and, in suitable conditions, towards Melbourne.
My Garmin recording measured a total return distance of 6.6 kilometres with 146 metres of elevation gain. I completed the walk in one hour and 24 minutes.
Without other participants to coordinate, breaks to manage or a group pace to maintain, this became a quick solo outing rather than a conventional Green Trails group hike.
When nobody else joins
It would be easy to think of an event with no other participants as unsuccessful, but that was not how I approached it.
The walk still provided an opportunity to become more familiar with another part of Kinglake National Park. Solo outings could also help me investigate potential routes, observe track conditions and decide whether an area might suit a future group event.
In the early stages of building a hiking community, attendance will naturally vary. Some events may attract several people, while others—especially those posted at short notice—may attract nobody at all.
The important thing was to keep exploring, keep learning and continue creating opportunities for people to join future walks.
Planning a Mount Sugarloaf walk
Mount Sugarloaf Ridge Track should not be confused with similarly named Mount Sugarloaf walks in Lerderderg State Park, Mount Buangor State Park or New South Wales. This walk is located in the Sugarloaf Block of Kinglake National Park, starting from Blackwood Picnic Area.
I could not find a Trail Hiking Australia page that precisely matches this 6.6-kilometre return route. Its Masons Falls Circuit uses part of the broader Mount Sugarloaf track network but describes a substantially longer and different walk.
Before visiting, check current information and conditions for Kinglake National Park. Drinking water should not be assumed to be available, and heavily forested areas should be avoided during elevated fire danger, storms or high winds.
Green Trails group hikes are organised and managed through Meetup. You can view the original Mount Sugarloaf Ridge Track event and join the group to discover future walks.