Outrage
4x4 Earth Contributer
For me trip started at Talbotville xmas arvo with the base camping group. Played around on the tracks for a few days until wednesday arvo when John (Cruising62), Anthony (Atowen) & Liz, Mark (Mutley Hee Hee) and Aaron arrived. Just happened when I headed into Dargo for fuel they were also there having stopped for lunch/waiting for Mark.
Headed back to Talbotville, all set up for the night then a firewood run followed by sitting around the fire.
Thursday:
All packed up in the morning and we headed off to reach the first camp site at the start of Haunted Stream. The day saw us on Murdering Spur, Dane Tk and Messamate Spur, after getting lost due to the overgrown/boggy nature of the Dane track we ended up making our way to the Berrigun rd after cutting through a large tree that had fallen across the track, leaving a big crater from it's impact, making it difficult to cut through also as 4 inches of the tree was below ground level. Lunch at Dogs Grave then onto Carneek for a short moment before turning around from the large amount of trees across the track, bypassed that and made our way onto Boomerang Spur Tk via 2wd dirt roads.
This track was quite fun, but very narrow as all the vegetation has grown sideways over the track, even a suzuki would get a nice brush. Luckily it was mostly leafy so the paint wasn't missing by the end
. The lower section of the track gets steeper and a bit rockier for a bit of a challenge as well. Small creek crossing saw us come out at the start of Haunted Stream at what we presume to be Dawson City where we camped the night.
Aaron got his rod out and got quite a few bites and trout, releasing them back into the stream.
Clearing on Dane Track
Hut on the way to Haunted Stream
Tadpoles at hut
Decent view off track
What we presume to be Dawson City
Crossing 1 of Haunted Stream
Friday:
The next adventure, taking on the 54 crossings of the Haunted Stream Tk. Most are quite small, with a rocky bottom, some had washed out entries and exits with some short steep sections. John flipped a coin at one fork and tried the right track, nicely sinking down to the diffs, a winch out forwards and the rest of us took the left track.
Further up John tried going into a rutted section finding out they were too big, a snatch backwards and we all straddled them.
A few boghole areas were on this track, most could be partially avoided by keeping to one side, one we went through saw a bash plate surfacing behind me which anthony spotted, didn't belong to anyone so the off centre patrol diff must have pushed it out of the muck. I almost got stuck here but some sideways movement of the steering wheel saw the worn mtz's pull me out luckily.
We stopped to try find an old boiler off the track, with John commenting it's meant to be in bad condition and spotting a scrap of metal in the river we thought we weren't going to see much. But then up a steep hill across the stream initially looking like a large fallen over tree until we noticed all the bolt patterns and then recognised it as the boiler.
Boiler up hill - bigger than the picture makes it
Spider
Continuing on the track we came across a group limping a toyota with a busted axle or the like. Passed them and got the to last crossing, complete with a pajero stuck, spinning wheels attempting to exit on our side. John's winch pulled him out and his friend made it out on his own steam. A couple vehicles here looked rather stock and were going to attempt the Haunted Stream Tk, most of it would be alright but sections of it could be very interesting for them.
At the end, aired up, lunch and supplies in Swift Creek, then onwards to the Washington Winch, a large winch which used to haul trees up from down the cliff, another one of those items which makes you wonder how they managed to do it back then (of course with back breaking labour and little OH&S you can do anything).
Washington Winch
Finding camp at Bentlys Plain, some chainsaw servicing, another night by the fire was enjoyed.
Saturday:
After some 2wd roads we took on Mt Misery, a few photo's at the tower, then onwards. The track was quite easy, with some rocky, mildly steep sections, quite scenic with all the large burnt out trees with all the new regrowth underneath. A couple Brumby's were leading John for a while as well. After finding a dead end track, turning back around and consulting the maps and gps we hit the right trail again (a number of forks have no sign posts so this is easy to do). We got onto Davies Plain Tk, again very scenic, headed down Kings Plain to the Murray for camp and a very nice roast prepared by John in the camp oven on the coals.
Tower on Mt Misery Tk
Sunday:
A rest day camping on the Murray. A brumby was heard crashing around not far from camp. Aaron caught more trout, kept some for meals, and got one monster which he kept and cut into slabs and fed all 6 of us for dinner.
Murray River
Monday:
Back out of Kings Plain and north along Davies Plain, stopped at the hut for some photo's, atop it were some gang gang cockatoo's. Further north the track changes from atop the plain to downwards but not difficult, the plant life changes as well. We crossed the Murray near Tom Groggin, thinking NSW was too strange we went back across into Vic and felt much better, further we got near to our planned camp, a mud hole was spotted and in a lapse of sanity we all had a crack.
Anthony was first and the Challenger clawed it's way with some bashing and odd angles, presumably with the help of it's diff locks. Me next in the patrol, almost had it but the back just wouldn't get up, reversed a little to try again but it just wouldn't move any more, a snatch forwards by Anthony and I was out. John in the Cruiser tried a different line and just sank, snatch by me and he was out. Then Mark in the world car tries to out do us all on the photo moment, after almost making it, attempts a different angle and we almost see the car want to lay over, a VERY big angle. After some effort winching by John, Mark was back level. Prior to getting Mark out the ranger spotted us and came up to us, after realising we were able to help ourselves he became happier, told us about a nice camp site instead of where we were trying to get to.
Turned around via the side track and we made our way to Stony Creek and enjoyed a nice camp.
Davies Plain (near hut)
Gang Gang Cockatoos
Davies Plain Hut
Tuesday:
Day trip to Thredbo for supplies, then an attempt to reach Kosciuszko summit. Chairlift to the Eagles Nest, then a 6.5km walk each way to the summit, 2 km's in we were at the Kosciuszko lookout, this saw everyone but Aaron and I stopping the walk there due to 'the lack of oxygen at high altitude'.
Pushed for time as the chairlift closed at 5, we hit the summit at 4, took some photo's and headed back at 4.05. At a bit of a power walk and we managed the 6.5km's in 54 mins to make the chairlift at 4.59.
Ended up they start taking chairs off at 5, so there's about 15 mins before the last chair leaves. Which wouldn't be enough for the family who were still up the top of Kosciuszko when we left.
Back to camp for another swim in the Murray.
Road to Thredbo
Mt Kosciuszko pics
Wednesday:
Anthony headed off a separate way, while the rest of us tackled Mt Pinnibar. A good track with long steep rocky sections, not too difficult without overheating issues and blue smoke. Made it in the end to some very nice views at the top, this is the highest 4wd track in Australia I have been told. After some photo's and some map reading we decided to go down Shady Creek Upper Tk.
After seeing the map stating red clay section 'dangerous in wet', looking to where the track was and some nicely positioned rain clouds over it, we decided to get a move on, hoping with the past week of dry weather it wouldn't be too bad. Almost down to the creek we hit one of the red clay sections, quite slippery, had to be very gentle with the brakes. The creek crossing was a little interesting with a washed out exit, but all made it safely.
Continuing on the track we found more red clay, with the rain on this patch longer, it was getting very slippery, we had to be very careful with the pedal work or it could see someone going sideways down the track.
Even with the small amount of rain, this track was quite slippery, would caution anyone attempting this track not to do it with any decent rain on it.
With lunch at Wheelers Creek Hut area we decided to call the trip there with the weather not looking promising. It happened that the sun came back out on the way to Omeo, but as we got close to Omeo some big storms clouds moved in and we agreed we made the right decision.
Some gas for Mark and some duct tape for my wind shield that wanted to fly away, we made our way south. At Bruthen I turned off to visit the grandparents wild John, Mark and Aaron headed homewards.
Fantastic trip, anyone wanting to do Haunted Stream, Davies Plain, Mt Pinnibar areas, I would highly recommend it. Was limited on what photos I could take, so hopefully the others will have more.
Thanks for John for organising/leading the trip and to everyone else for the good time.
Headed back to Talbotville, all set up for the night then a firewood run followed by sitting around the fire.
Thursday:
All packed up in the morning and we headed off to reach the first camp site at the start of Haunted Stream. The day saw us on Murdering Spur, Dane Tk and Messamate Spur, after getting lost due to the overgrown/boggy nature of the Dane track we ended up making our way to the Berrigun rd after cutting through a large tree that had fallen across the track, leaving a big crater from it's impact, making it difficult to cut through also as 4 inches of the tree was below ground level. Lunch at Dogs Grave then onto Carneek for a short moment before turning around from the large amount of trees across the track, bypassed that and made our way onto Boomerang Spur Tk via 2wd dirt roads.
This track was quite fun, but very narrow as all the vegetation has grown sideways over the track, even a suzuki would get a nice brush. Luckily it was mostly leafy so the paint wasn't missing by the end
. The lower section of the track gets steeper and a bit rockier for a bit of a challenge as well. Small creek crossing saw us come out at the start of Haunted Stream at what we presume to be Dawson City where we camped the night.Aaron got his rod out and got quite a few bites and trout, releasing them back into the stream.
Clearing on Dane Track
Hut on the way to Haunted Stream
Tadpoles at hut
Decent view off track
What we presume to be Dawson City
Crossing 1 of Haunted Stream
Friday:
The next adventure, taking on the 54 crossings of the Haunted Stream Tk. Most are quite small, with a rocky bottom, some had washed out entries and exits with some short steep sections. John flipped a coin at one fork and tried the right track, nicely sinking down to the diffs, a winch out forwards and the rest of us took the left track.
Further up John tried going into a rutted section finding out they were too big, a snatch backwards and we all straddled them.
A few boghole areas were on this track, most could be partially avoided by keeping to one side, one we went through saw a bash plate surfacing behind me which anthony spotted, didn't belong to anyone so the off centre patrol diff must have pushed it out of the muck. I almost got stuck here but some sideways movement of the steering wheel saw the worn mtz's pull me out luckily
.We stopped to try find an old boiler off the track, with John commenting it's meant to be in bad condition and spotting a scrap of metal in the river we thought we weren't going to see much. But then up a steep hill across the stream initially looking like a large fallen over tree until we noticed all the bolt patterns and then recognised it as the boiler.
Boiler up hill - bigger than the picture makes it
Spider
Continuing on the track we came across a group limping a toyota with a busted axle or the like. Passed them and got the to last crossing, complete with a pajero stuck, spinning wheels attempting to exit on our side. John's winch pulled him out and his friend made it out on his own steam. A couple vehicles here looked rather stock and were going to attempt the Haunted Stream Tk, most of it would be alright but sections of it could be very interesting for them.
At the end, aired up, lunch and supplies in Swift Creek, then onwards to the Washington Winch, a large winch which used to haul trees up from down the cliff, another one of those items which makes you wonder how they managed to do it back then (of course with back breaking labour and little OH&S you can do anything
).Washington Winch
Finding camp at Bentlys Plain, some chainsaw servicing, another night by the fire was enjoyed.
Saturday:
After some 2wd roads we took on Mt Misery, a few photo's at the tower, then onwards. The track was quite easy, with some rocky, mildly steep sections, quite scenic with all the large burnt out trees with all the new regrowth underneath. A couple Brumby's were leading John for a while as well. After finding a dead end track, turning back around and consulting the maps and gps we hit the right trail again (a number of forks have no sign posts so this is easy to do). We got onto Davies Plain Tk, again very scenic, headed down Kings Plain to the Murray for camp and a very nice roast prepared by John in the camp oven on the coals.
Tower on Mt Misery Tk
Sunday:
A rest day camping on the Murray. A brumby was heard crashing around not far from camp. Aaron caught more trout, kept some for meals, and got one monster which he kept and cut into slabs and fed all 6 of us for dinner
.Murray River
Monday:
Back out of Kings Plain and north along Davies Plain, stopped at the hut for some photo's, atop it were some gang gang cockatoo's. Further north the track changes from atop the plain to downwards but not difficult, the plant life changes as well. We crossed the Murray near Tom Groggin, thinking NSW was too strange we went back across into Vic and felt much better
, further we got near to our planned camp, a mud hole was spotted and in a lapse of sanity we all had a crack.Anthony was first and the Challenger clawed it's way with some bashing and odd angles, presumably with the help of it's diff locks. Me next in the patrol, almost had it but the back just wouldn't get up, reversed a little to try again but it just wouldn't move any more, a snatch forwards by Anthony and I was out. John in the Cruiser tried a different line and just sank, snatch by me and he was out. Then Mark in the world car tries to out do us all on the photo moment, after almost making it, attempts a different angle and we almost see the car want to lay over, a VERY big angle. After some effort winching by John, Mark was back level. Prior to getting Mark out the ranger spotted us and came up to us, after realising we were able to help ourselves he became happier, told us about a nice camp site instead of where we were trying to get to.
Turned around via the side track and we made our way to Stony Creek and enjoyed a nice camp.
Davies Plain (near hut)
Gang Gang Cockatoos
Davies Plain Hut
Tuesday:
Day trip to Thredbo for supplies, then an attempt to reach Kosciuszko summit. Chairlift to the Eagles Nest, then a 6.5km walk each way to the summit, 2 km's in we were at the Kosciuszko lookout, this saw everyone but Aaron and I stopping the walk there due to 'the lack of oxygen at high altitude'
.Pushed for time as the chairlift closed at 5, we hit the summit at 4, took some photo's and headed back at 4.05. At a bit of a power walk and we managed the 6.5km's in 54 mins to make the chairlift at 4.59
.Ended up they start taking chairs off at 5, so there's about 15 mins before the last chair leaves. Which wouldn't be enough for the family who were still up the top of Kosciuszko when we left.
Back to camp for another swim in the Murray.
Road to Thredbo
Mt Kosciuszko pics
Wednesday:
Anthony headed off a separate way, while the rest of us tackled Mt Pinnibar. A good track with long steep rocky sections, not too difficult without overheating issues and blue smoke. Made it in the end to some very nice views at the top, this is the highest 4wd track in Australia I have been told. After some photo's and some map reading we decided to go down Shady Creek Upper Tk.
After seeing the map stating red clay section 'dangerous in wet', looking to where the track was and some nicely positioned rain clouds over it, we decided to get a move on, hoping with the past week of dry weather it wouldn't be too bad. Almost down to the creek we hit one of the red clay sections, quite slippery, had to be very gentle with the brakes. The creek crossing was a little interesting with a washed out exit, but all made it safely.
Continuing on the track we found more red clay, with the rain on this patch longer, it was getting very slippery, we had to be very careful with the pedal work or it could see someone going sideways down the track.
Even with the small amount of rain, this track was quite slippery, would caution anyone attempting this track not to do it with any decent rain on it.
With lunch at Wheelers Creek Hut area we decided to call the trip there with the weather not looking promising. It happened that the sun came back out on the way to Omeo, but as we got close to Omeo some big storms clouds moved in and we agreed we made the right decision.
Some gas for Mark and some duct tape for my wind shield that wanted to fly away, we made our way south. At Bruthen I turned off to visit the grandparents wild John, Mark and Aaron headed homewards.
Fantastic trip, anyone wanting to do Haunted Stream, Davies Plain, Mt Pinnibar areas, I would highly recommend it
. Was limited on what photos I could take, so hopefully the others will have more.Thanks for John for organising/leading the trip and to everyone else for the good time
.
