Spring Run on the Mid North Coast 21 to 24 Sept.

[richardlnsw]

Well what a great few days.
Friday 21/9.
The group which consisted of myself, Wang, Billolga, Minelabmaster, 2002GU3, Hendo75 all met in Kew on Friday morning and as scheduled everyone was there by 10 am. Great start !!! We would be joined by Hoyks at camp that night.
Departed kew at 10.15am and had a short drive up the highway before turning towards Wauchope. Another 5 mins or so and we were off the blacktop and airing down to start our drive through the Broken Bago State Forest and head to the lookout at the communication towers. It is a stunning view to the north over Wauchope, to the right is Port Macquarie and left is the mountains to where we were heading. The drive up to the towers is quite steep with a few steps here and there but nothing over the top, except for Hendo who got stuck on the first obstacle due to a lack of concentration!!! but second attempt was easy.
After a short stop here we were back down and enjoying a casual drive through the forest before heading to rollover Rd. This track goes along the ridge of The Bago Bluff where we stopped and enjoyed another spectacular view over the farmlands below. From here we headed down to exit the forest..... not before Wang was to the rescue with some track clearing, and through Wauchope and out to Beechwood for our next stop which was lunch at No 1 Tower on Hastings Forest Way. After lunch we continued up into the mountains towards our camp at Brushy Mountain, not before stopping for some much needed firewood. Arrived at camp at 3.30 for a cold beer, warm fire and some great company around the fire. We were joined by Hoyks (Peter) around 8.30.

 

[Aza013]

Looks and sounds like a great weekend

 

[richardlnsw]

Saturday 22/9
Well we were all awake early excited for another day. It was a chilly start to the day with my car showing 2 deg!! We were at just over 1000 mts so it was to be expected. We departed camp at 8.05.
from Brushy Mountain it was an easy drive along Hastings Forest Way and onto to Racecourse Rd. We headed to Mooraback Camprground for a look and even though it was only just after 9 Wang was more than happy to stop here and set up camp ..... sorry Wang we still had a bit further to go.
We continued towards the Oxley Highway where I got to show everyone one of my favourite spots in Doyles River State Forest on the Fenwicks River.
From here we were back on the bitumen for about 18kms before a short break at Stockyard Rest area. This was where we were to head into The Cells Conservation Area where I had not ventured before so I was lloking forward to it as much as everyone.
It didn't take too long before the tracks (Corn Cob Fire Trail) started to get interesting. Nothing too extreme but we did have spots where spotters were needed. A few creeks crossings (not much water sadly) and we continued to The Cells Hilton for lunch. This was where Steve (Minelabmaster) mentioned that as we only had about 20kms to camp we should be there in an hour....... 31/2 hrs later we got to camp!!! well jinxed Steve. The track up from The Hilton is quite steep with some ruts and steps which we all navigated without too much trouble.... once Peter realised he hadn't aired down lol It was at the top where we found that Hendo's might Paj had some serious brake dramas but with some awesome bush mechanics performed by Peter we were back on the road in around 45 mins. Tonight's camp was at Maxwell's Flat, a nice spot next to a creek which would be nice with a touch more water in in. A note for those that haven't been into The Cells, stay away if rain is forecast as the tracks in and out would be almost impossible.
Not far from camp we were given a show by 2 romantic Red Belly Black Snakes!!
We arrived at camp at 3.30... still a good effort by all. More beers, a good fire and loads more laughs were had.

 

[richardlnsw]

Sunday 23/9
Another chilly night but at 6 deg wasn't too bad. All up and packed and on the road by 8.10 saw us heading along Racing Camp Rd. This went from a single wheel, overgrown track to looking like it was well used and then back to overgrown again. Lots of pin striping for everyone!! The rest of the days tracks were fairly easy driving with some good scenery along the way.
Today we were heading to Swan's Crossing for camp but along the way we had stops at Blue Knob fire tower, Ellenborough Falls and Mt Comboyne fire tower.The 2 towers both had some stunning 360 deg views over the surrounding mountains. I had planned for Ellenborough Falls to be lunch but we managed to get there by 10.30..... so a few of us just had to do the right thing and support a small local business (the Kiosk) and buy some pies and sausage rolls.... all freshly made on site and they were brilliant.
After leaving the falls this was where Hoyks and Hendo left us as they were heading south to Taree and beyond (Hendo needed to get the Paj repaired). We said goodbye near Comboyne and we continued from there to Mt Comboyne fire tower for more awesome views.... this time we could see the coast and also back across to where we started at the Bago Bluff. After leaving the tower we only had a short drive to camp with a stop for firewood we sere still at camp at 1.30pm. So in true Earth style the fire was going early, beers started to be cracked and again more laughs were dished out by all. With the forecast of rain through the night we all battened down the hatches and right on queue at midnight the rain came down, quite hard at times too but we all stayed dry. Once again everyone was up with the sparrows so due to the rain we all hit the road at 7am and headed home. For once I had the shortest drive, a whole 37kms from camp!!
Thanks to those that made the trip, I had a blast. Great company, some good drives and loads of laughs mad it an awesome time.
If anyone has pics that they want to post or if I have missed anything that needs to be said just post it up.
Cheers.

 

[Ditch]

Great trip by the sounds of it, sorry I did not make it. Been through that area a few times(my avatar is a pic from near the stamper in The Cells), always enjoyed it. Racing Camp pinstripes - got a few of those!.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Aza013]

That really looks like a great weekend.
Even two sexing snakes

 

[Wang]

Was a fun trip Dickie
You know it’s an over grown track when I’ve got pin stripes down the middle of my bonnet

 

[2002GU3]

Well said Dicky, it was a great weekend with lots of laughs and great company, here's a couple more pics.

 

[2002GU3]

more pics.

 

[Hoyks]

Saturday 22/9
. once Peter realised he hadn't aired down lol

Point of order!
The fact my tyres were still at highway pressure wasn't a surprise, I knew I hadn't bothered to let them down.

Picture wise, I didn't get many, so resorted to cutting them from the dash cam.

So, after a stupidly busy week at work and not getting much done in the way of packing, I got home at 2 on Friday and then had to strap on the camper, fill the water, fuel and do some shopping. Got most of that done and flopped on the lounge, too stuffed to face a 4 hour drive. Eventually I extracted the digit, grabbed some pre-fab dinners and threw them in the fridge and hit the road at 4.30.

I had a good run up to Wauchope and into the forest where I got to do a functional test on the ABS and scare the crap out of a possum.

Its been a long time since I'd been into The Cells River area, I'm sure the tracks were wider then, or maybe it was because I was in a Sierra.

Not much room if you meet someone coming the other way either. Lucky to fit a bike past.

Creeks were a bit low and not a lot of flow in them.

The camera always understates how steep it is, but I'm glad I didn't have to walk it and it wasn't wet.

So, where I failed to proceed. Drove over an erosion hump, got a left back wheel in a hole and the front right on a hump. Traction control tried hard, but was making horrible noises which sounded like something was going to break. Rear dif-lock on (which turns off the TC) and both back wheels are still stuck in the loose gravel in the hole... and 40psi in each corner wasn't helping, so out came the tyre gauge. It gave me a chance to pick up the friction pads that the rear springs spat out too.
So, 26/28 psi and it drove out without any issue.

Then there was Hendo's brake issue. When there are multiple heads under the vehicle, it is rarely a good thing.

Snakes were impressive, never seen that or got as close without them giving a stuff. Must have had other things on their mind...

Overall, really good weekend and I'm glad I didn't spend another weekend sitting around the house waiting for something to happen.
Thanks for putting it together Richard

 

[teza h]

Man now I'm realy bummed that I couldn't make it,so keen to get out there rite now......Well glad that you all had a tops weekend any way,good to see.

 

[WildtrakRudy]

Sounds like a great trip guys with some breath-taking views! Well done

 

[Kath Wood]

Looked like an awesome trip and a stunning location! Gutted I couldn't make it, but glad everyone had a blast!

 

[WildtrakRudy]

Would love some tracks log, if anyone recorded it. Heading up that way for Christmas. Can't wait!

 

[billolga]

Great trip, loved & thanks Richard for organising it. I will post some photo's when I get home as Olga & I are in Coffs Harbour until tomorrow when we will be driving home.
On the way out from Swans Crossing we drove into Port Macquarie to visit my Cousin & on the way out got tooted & waved at by @Jaye on his way to see @richardlnsw so we stoped & had a chat.
A great finish to the trip.

 

[richardlnsw]

Great trip, loved & thanks Richard for organising it. I will post some photo's when I get home as Olga & I are in Coffs Harbour until tomorrow when we will be driving home.
On the way out from Swans Crossing we drove into Port Macquarie to visit my Cousin & on the way out got tooted & waved at by @Jaye on his way to see @richardlnsw so we stoped & had a chat.
A great finish to the trip.

Yeh Jaye stopped in for a beer and a chat. Was good to catch up with him.
Glad you liked the trip Bill, thanks for coming along.

 

[Bomber2012]

Great trip reports , looked like a good time was had by all .

 

[Minelabmaster]

Totally enjoyed the whole trip, great scenery, some really excellent tracks and great company.
Well done Richard.
Look forward to the next one

 

[billolga]

Point of order!
The fact my tyres were still at highway pressure wasn't a surprise, I knew I hadn't bothered to let them down.

Pete, don't let facts get in the road of a good story.

 

[billolga]

Home at last with all the gear unpacked & dried, so here is my contribution of photo's.