Like many other families who live in the Victorian bush we left home several times due to bushfire during summer 2009.  The most significant in our region was the Muskvale Hogans Road fire which was spotting only a short distance from home prior to a wind change.

I took this photo on a hill near our place, just after the fire had started. It burnt for a number of weeks.

Nine months on and with summer not that far off again I thought it was about time to head back into the area effected by the Hogans Road ride, which was also used in last year’s 6 hour Cyclic Navigator. As far as fires go it burnt relatively cool, but surprisingly visible regrowth after all that time (and rain) is minimal.

The fire has exposed many old mine shafts, which I guess is good and bad!

What were once trails winding through thick forest…

Riding out through the blackened fire perimeter into the nearby super fresh greens of the unburnt forest is surreal and intense.

There are a number of interesting structures left over from the mining days including an old two level wooden bridge – footbridge, rail bridge across the top, water below.

End of the ride for today at the lake viewing platform.

It won’t be too long and it’ll be hot enough to swim!