I woke to a windy morning and another incredible sunrise at 6am – a sleep in.

The trail started on an unsealed road, which my aching ankle was grateful for. I hiked over Mt Victor (1,170m), which felt like a molehill compared to some of the peaks I’d summited over the past three weeks. Nonetheless, it would be one of the last mountains I’d encounter on trail, with just a few days remaining.

A foot trail branched off the unsealed road and was lined with pink and blue ribbons and yellow markers. It would have been difficult to distinguish the track without these aids, due to thick leaf and bark matter obscuring the trail.

After several kilometres, the descending trail arrived at the stunning riverside location of Red Jacket – once a prospering town in the gold mining era, but with little more than a few historical markers, including gravestones, remaining today. I read about the Red Jacket Hotel and it’s much loved proprietors on commemorative signs, and spent a moment taking in the beautiful waterway.

Walking the trail in this section felt magical, with sun bleeding through tall trees and a beautiful soundtrack of rustling leaves, bird calls and rushing water. Tall, slender and largely limbless gums towered above, while the ground was covered in a blanket of thorny blackberries.

From this flat stretch of road that followed the Jordan River, I was abruptly required to commence a very long and steep climb back onto the range. This incline, coupled with my aching ankle, called for some 90s party bangers to get me through. So I cranked some tunes and fierce winds followed me up and down the range all day.

After a short lunch break at Mt Easton (964m), I started a steep 3.8 kilometre descent to Thomson River – my camp for the night. I held my poles out in front as I carefully maneuvered downwards, trying my best not to slip.

I arrived at camp just after 2pm, and was greeted by a lush green patch of forest beside the rushing river – perfection!

I gave my ankle an ice bath in the river and replenished my water supplies, all the while sitting on a beautiful big log and taking in the sun glistening on the water, the light breeze and gentle forest sounds.