Quick Trip report.
Had a great weekend at Wonangatta. Took the tougher way in from the south via
Eaglevale Track towing the CT - No real worries but I'll take more notice of the contours next time. We went from about 500m to 1100m to 500m again.
Camped in a secluded spot just east of the old
home stead. This was Thursday night and it was looking pretty good for a nice relaxing quiet w/e.
Well by Friday afternoon it was like
bourke street. Lucky there is over 100acres of river flat to
camp around. Being 16years since I was there last I had no idea how popular it had become. Understandably so.
Apart from a group who decided camping almost on top of us was a good idea - which would have been fine except they also thought we would like their choice of music on Saturday night so made sure we could hear it even with ear plugs in *grin* - We didn't really notice the busyness.
We went looking for some "interesting" tracks on Saturday but most of the tracks have been sanitised - again understandably give the popularity. Hearn Spur Track is pretty steep and had take one casuality (Hilux) - and might be a challenge for some stock 4bys.
We took a look at Widow Makers but the eagle eye of the
ranger and the sign "Vehicles Prohibited" put the moz on that idea. The track had also been bulldozed to prevent the more adventurous. A good modified 4b would have a chance. Anyhow we left it to try some mud holes.
My Dick Cepek's don't really like mud but I was keen to see how the other gadgets might compensate. True to form I got stuck in the first hole but got out using low 2nd and a few extra revs (The 2nd Start in auto works
well in circumstances like these). My mate who has a live axle 100 and STT's had no probs at all ---- Until the next hole. During the process of releasing the clutch to have a second go - Bang! there goes his front diff. I thought it was only the IFS 100's that had front diff probs but his live axle didn't take too kindly to the shock from the sudden load release. Both of us have air lockers (
Mine was to compensate for the weaker IFS front diffs). I came away from this experience glad I had an auto which put far more control over how much and when power goes the the wheels.
Because my mate was now running on 2wd we came out through Myrtleford and down the Hume. No major traffic issues.
For those interested in a great camping spot with plenty of choices even in busy times - The Wonangatta should be considered. Entering via Myrtleford is the easiest route and the quickest time wise from
Melbourne. We didn't look at the route via
Licola but last time I went that way it was a little bit tricker than the route north and accoring to those camped there this w/e would take longer than the Myrtleford/North route.
Let me know if you were there too.
Gaz