This ride takes a similar route to that shown in the Yankee Track ride. The difference is that when you get to the Shaws Lake area you follow a walking track near the old Yankee Gully water races which were used during the gold mining period. It is shown in the map above by the orange leg heading est from Blackwood and then picking up the light green leg.

From the Blackwood pub, head down Martin Street hill and turn into Whalebone Road. You can see a number of old log cabins that used to be more prevalent in the area - there's another group of them remaining near Simmons Reef as well.

Turn right at the light pole (shown in third photo below) with the Great Divide Trail pointer on it and follow water course around to mineral springs area. There are some diggings along the way and just prior to the mineral springs is a swimming hole for cooling down in if it's a hot day. On the south side of the water hole is an old mine which you can have a look at (don't enter) to give you an idea of the style of adits which were dug in the gold mining days.

Head down Martin Street and onto Whalebone Road and pick up Great Dividing Trail on right near light pole.

The photos above show the trail along the old water course heading towards the mineral springs area.

Above is a picture of a water hole coming into the springs area - good for a swim on a hot day. Also Mineral Spring rotunda. There are two - one with iron water and the other with soda water. Good picnic facilities and caravan park as well. Head across the bridge and pick up the track on the left.

Trail up to to Shaws Lake (right photo) - used to supply water for sluicing and other mining operations. Good for a swim on a hot day also.

This is where the ride starts differing from the Yankee Track ride. Start at the Rotunda and head down to the dam wall (on the left when looking from the rotunda) - cross the wall. From there, the Yankee Water Races start (channel shown in first photo) and the trail in the second photo tracks along roughly parallel to them. The walking trail is fairly light in the photos below but can be readily followed. After a distance the trail heads uphill - follow it.

The trail finally comes out at a small fire trail - at the time I rode it there was a white quartz arrow as shown in the second photo below. Turn right up fire trail (if you turn left you can see the continuation of the water races) until you get to North Blackwood Road. Return via same route. On the fire trail is a marker with a history of the area. The sixth picture below is taken at the intersection sign post looking back in the approximate direction of the trail if you wanted to start from this end. If you do, see note below.

Coming in to end of trail.

Coming in to end of trail. If you come in the other way, look for marked tree in third photo above.

The second picture below shows where the trail heads uphill as described previously. If you follow the branch to the left, you can follow the water races for a short distance.

Third photo above shows water race at edge of ridge which was used during the mining era.

The first and second photos above shows a good example of a hidden mine 'shaft'. In this case, the digging measures 1 metre x 0.5 metres and is about 1 metre deep. The hole is just to the left of the leaning tree on the right of the third photo and is located at the tip of the forked branch on the ground. (not very obvious, is it?) In this case, you wouldn't plummet to your death, though an injury could occur so this is a good example to be careful.

No video available for this trail.

	Parking is available at Blackwood town centre or the river on North Blackwood Road.
	Toilet facilities are available at Blackwood (located on hill opposite pub).
	Drinking water is available at the gold stamper opposite the pub.
	Food can be obtained at the Blackwood Pub, Garden of St Erth or Blackwood Provedore (both are good).
	Local area information can be obtained from the noticeboard to the right of the Blackwood Provedore.