The trip started at the meeting point in Gisborne, Victoria.
The Griggs family, Dean and Hayley, Henry and Theresa
and Tripptree family met on the Gisborne-Bacchus Marsh Road. We proceeded
to Carrol’s Lane turn off and then proceed on to Firth Road towards
Firth Park Camping Ground. On arrival we all circled around the circuit road
trying to decide the best camping site with access to our vehicles. After a bit
of time we decided on the south fence line of the middle section of the park.
It had a slight slope but was under the shade of the Pine and Elm trees. Now
with camp set up and lunch eaten, Henry and Dean decided on what a constructed
‘designated’ fire place was supposed to be. By this time Bruno and Emily
arrived with a caravan (a different one every time!) and set up near by.
Once set up, Bruno and Emily decide to take a
afternoon stroll along the walking track to Anderson Mill site. Not long after
our next arrival comes in from a day trip with Central
Highlands, no less than the President of their club and a fellow
member of ours Clinton Fisher. We decide to go on a small recon trip to
O’Brien’s Crossing once Bruno and Emily return from there afternoon stroll.
After a longer than expected wait they return with a recovery request from a
couple stuck in a deep bog hole at the Anderson Mill site. Unfortunately I
(Lance) did not hear my mobile phone ringing in vain in the car for a message
of HELP needed. Ooops! Dean and Bruno dash of to
recover the 60 series Toyota LC. The rest of the group decide to meet them at
the mill site and start our recon trip to O’Brien’s Crossing. After going
around the long way we all meet on the Anderson
mill track. Not long after the initial recovery vehicle (Dean’s Triton) gets
stuck on the track. Henry quickly snatches out and we proceed to O’Brien’s
Crossing.
At O’Brien’s crossing we are confronted with lots of campers and
not many campsites left. There were camps on the side of the track and in
precarious spots on the apex of hair pin corners!! The vehicle of choice
‘appeared’ to be Hyundai Excel! So with this in mind we knew we had a
made better choice in camp site at Firth
Park. We headed back to
via XL track over the Chettle Road and back to camp
in time for Dinner. That night we had a camp fire set up and discussed the
usual things around the camp fire. Meanwhile the wind was steadily increasing
and the temperature rapidly dropping we all head to
bed. That night not much sleep was had due to the gale going through the
campsite.
The next morning Chris and Sarah turned up at 9:00am as planned. After
breakfast and new arrivals tent was set up. A trip was embarked on via Amblers
track and then onward to Blackwood. At this Point Chris suggested a track via Golden Point Road.
We all followed Chris like lambs to the slaughter, only kidding!
The First part of the track was blocked by a substantial fallen
tree. This was not going to deter Dean though. With his chain saw on board he
decided to cut a clear path to proceed on our intended way. While the tree was
being cleared Chris and Lance decided to review the track ahead. There was a
small challenging stepped area and on the other side of the dry Lerderderg
River bed there was a
small steep and heavily rutted climb out section to be negotiated. Once the
tree was cleared and the drivers were informed of the obstacles ahead, we
proceed along the track. No problems over the stepped section. Chris then lead up the climb out with no problems. Then the Griggs
family headed up the hill but rear diff marks in middle hump impeded the
progress. After a few attempts and alternate drive lines it was decided to get
as far as possible and winch the remainder of the obstacle. After one attempt
with single cable pull, the winch stalled due to the plough effect of the diff
housing dragging in the rocky track proved too great. So a snatch block was
utilised with success.
The next vehicle was Dean’s Triton with diff to ground clearance
an issue again, after two attempts it was decided to winch recover from above.
This proved more difficult as the drag from the diff was considerable. The diff
furrow was about 10cm deep. With snatch block connected the electric winch from
the Jackaroo stalled under the load. It was then
decided to connect Chris’s slow but trusty hydraulic winch. This also proved
difficult in anchoring the winch vehicle and the pull power required. After
several attempts with double snatch block and using a tree to anchor from the
anchor tree decided it all was too much and collapsed under the strain. That’s
why we stay back from the winch line area.
Once again we decided to make a ramp to lift the rear of the
Triton to allow more clearance. The first idea was a tree shaped by chainsaw to
resemble a ramp. This idea was abandoned after the risk of sill damage was
discussed as a likely out come if the ramp kicked up. So the next idea was to
fill the L/H rut with rock fill to create a small tessellated path. To stop
wheel spin dislodging the rocks and damaging the rear tray sill then vehicle
was winched up onto the rock path which helped with the diff drag load on the
winch. Chris’s car was butted up to a tree by his bull bar and slowly but
surely the Triton was recovered. Phew! The remaining high clearance vehicle all
made it up with no trouble although the diff furrow created ensured plenty of
clearance for those who followed.
We then headed up the hill and returned for a lunch stop at Blackwood.
From here we headed along Lerderderg Road towards Mount Wilson. The track headed up the hill and became
barely defined and itchy and scratchy. The Trig point was found and explored
thoroughly. Back down the other side of the hill the track once again got very
tight and dry car wash method was utilised again! From there we proceed back to
Roaches Road
then left on Pumphouse Track to Gentle Annie Track
towards Paradise Road
looking for Paradise Sawmill site. After no luck locating the site we headed
for home via Green hills Road back to O’Briens Road on to Firth Road to Camp.
That night we had great campfire again. The next morning we had sleep in and
thanks to Bruno and Emily treated us all with a Cappuccinos and Hot Chocolate
for the Kids. Gee camping is getting very sophisticated and comfortable. After
a slow pack up we all headed home by the early
afternoon.
