Convoy,

The trip began with most of us meeting up at Ourimbah rest area, which all pretty much happened on schedule & we were underway at 7:40 to make the trek up the F3 towards Maitland, where we had a designated fuel stop.

While at the fuel stop, I was able to check the replacement laptop I used for this trip due to a major problem on the older unit earlier in the week, which made it unusable. This new unit had some problems during the day, but due to these being familiar tracks, did not present any major hassles.

Once fuelled up, introductions were done & checks were made, we were under way towards Dungog, where we had a brief stop for some basic supplies for lunch & then on to the trails, beginning with some easy main forest trails including Main Creek Rd & Skimmings Gap Rd. From Skimmings Gap rd, we turned onto out first 4wd track for the day, Reeves Rd, which is also where we encountered out first obstacle, a tree across the track. The tree was a little too large to be moved by just dragging it, so I cut it up with the chainsaw before removing it from the track.

After this we continued along this track, though a little mud hole (which most of us went through) & back onto Main Creek rd, where we turned left.

We followed this road to our first designated break for the trip, morning tea, which was held at Telegherry Forest Park Picnic area, which had pit toilet facilities, a small area for a few to kick a ball around & good spot to chat & have tea. We also took the opportunity to air down a little to make the ride a little easier for the vehicles.

After a good break, we decided that people wanted a few action shots of the crossing of the causeway & as most were just taking it slowly, I volunteered to make a splash, as I was confident that I could do it in a controlled manner & not cause any problems to people, bush or vehicle.

Then we returned to our little trek, driving past the old Logging Museum, which we did not stop at this time around. & turned onto Wangat Trig Forest Rd. This was a nice little road & if it wasn't for all of the mist, the views would have been awesome. We passed a couple of other day trippers who decided to have a break on the side of this road. The place they were stopped I still don't understand to be a good position, as every vehicle that would have drove past would have covered their meal with dust, and there were plenty of other places just off the trail where they could have stopped more comfortably. 

We stayed on this road until it reached the T intersection for Kanungra Forest Rd, where we turned left & only followed for a short time before out next 4wd track of Mountain Rd. This road goes down a steepish section and across the Karuah River where we stopped for lunch.

After lunch, we continued up Mountain Rd, where we found another fallen tree blocking our path. This time, it only needed a little persuasion to fall to the ground, where we were able to just drive over it. A little further along this trail, it joined Terrible Billy track, which is still not as hard as the name would say, but it is still a good track.

We completed that part of the trip without incident, so started back towards Monkerai along main roads, but unfortunately one of the bridges were out, so a detour was needed to get around that. That cost us about an extra 30 minutes, but was still a good drive through some scenic country. 

Once back near Main Creek area, I turned down a track I know, which has a few easy to medium trails, including one section where I had a little fun on a rock, before getting back onto Main Creek rd & on to Coachwood Camping area, where we stopped for afternoon tea.

From Coachwood, we headed back to Dungog, where we all aired back up, said our goodbyes & headed back home.

Many thanks to all that came along on another fun trip & I look forward to wheeling again with you some time soon.