Trip: Sunday, 21 Apr 2024
Trip Leader: Simon Nickson
Participants:
- Simon Nickson with Russell Speldewinde: Toyota Landcruiser 76 wagon
- David Darke with Tim: Toyota Forerunner
- David Brown: Suzuki Jimny
- Gary Collins: Steyr-Puch Haflinger
- Peter Mercer with Steve Marr: Land Rover Discovery 3 (Series D3)
- Andrew and Lynda Speldewinde: Toyota Landcruiser 200 series (Series 200)
- Tony Speldewinde and Serena Kelleher: Toyota Landcruiser Prado (Series 150)
Sunday 21 April provided the perfect day for ‘A Day in the Brindies’ with the LRC of the ACT. The drive, led by Simon Nickson, comprised 7 vehicles and 12 participants – 7 members, 1 Guest and 4 prospective members participating in their qualifying drive. The drive climbed to the top of Mt Coree (just lower than the trig point) and took in the campgrounds of Lowells Flat and McIntyres Hut.
Sadly, the prospective members upheld the family tradition and were the last to arrive at the rendezvous point, hence this write-up emanating from our keyboard.
Following a pre-drive briefing at 08:15 – south of the intersection of Uriarra and Brindabella Roads – Gary set off in his Haflinger, followed several minutes later by the remainder of the convoy, who caught up with him at the turn-off to Curries Road. We transitioned from the blacktop to unsealed surfaces on Brindabella Road not long before Curries Road turnoff. After turning onto Curries Road, Simon found an area large enough to allow the group to “air-down” tyres for the day’s adventure. Tyre pressures were different across the group. Excitement and trepidation building for the newbies.
The drive to Mt Coree campground was a pleasant one which, by and large, was on a comfortable surface via Curries Road and Two Sticks Rd. The surface changed noticeably on the climb from the campground to the summit of Mt Coree, via the Mt Coree Summit Trail. The Trail is a steady climb over a loose surface with regular modest moguls protecting the trail from erosion and with the occasional tight turn, allowing us to try out some of the off-road features in our vehicles.
The final 100m or so was a steep climb and, pleasingly, there was only one other vehicle at the top – parking spaces quickly became a premium.
Russell provided the pace for a distance runner up the last section… lucky he did as he wasn’t going to get out of the passenger door after this parking!
The view from Mt Coree was nothing short of impressive – the sun was shining brightly, and visibility was as far as the eye could see, with some low-lying fog patches serving to accentuate the elevation and vista! Many a photo was taken – none of which really did justice to that seen by the naked eye.
We had a good view of the Powerline Trail and Webbs Ridge, our route to get to Lowells Flat.
Following our descent and a brief comfort stop at the campground, we rejoined Two Sticks Rd for the drive to via the Powerline Trail.
Again, Two Sticks provided a relatively comfortable drive in amongst the heavily wooded tall trees of the area allowing occasional glimpses through to the valleys and ranges of the Brindies.
The Powerline Trail zigged and zagged its way down to the valley and then up to Webbs Ridge Trail, traversing sharp stones and loose dirt and covering the convoy vehicles in dust.
Not far into the Powerline Trail some frantic chatter over the radio brought the convoy to a halt. Peter Mercer, in the penultimate vehicle in the convoy and stationary, wondered if the convoy had taken different tracks as he had not seen Charlie for a while. In the lead vehicle a bemused Simon and his copilot/navigator for the day (Russell) discussed how someone could be separated from the convoy on such a track and with such clear instructions. A short time later David said to Peter “I’m right behind you” — apparently the Jimny was in a depression in the track and Peter was looking straight over the top of it. We cacked ourselves!! Mystery solved, and the convoy proceeded on.
We turned right onto Webbs Ridge Trail before passing the Powerline lookout – pic below is looking back towards Mt Coree.
A few kilometres along Webbs Ridge Trail, which presented the convoy with a couple of technical challenges before turning left onto Waterfall Trail. The descent on the down Waterfall Trail presented new challenges – maybe only for the newbies– as the convoy moved into low range and negotiated some sharp and largish rocks in amongst everything else the trail had to offer. Badge of honour stuff for one of the newbies who incurred a ding in the underneath of a sidestep…
On and on we continued in the drive to Lowells Flat campground, taking on the challenges of the trail including sharing the single width trail with oncoming vehicles and trail bike riders from time to time – but seemingly often for a period. Creek crossings and steep climbs/descents amidst taller moguls featured – seemingly growing in stature and number all the while along Waterfall, then McIntyres and Lowells Flat Tracks through to our arrival at Lowells Flat campground, where we stopped for lunch.
In a flash, the fire was lit and the billy was on the boil. A leisurely lunch and lots of chat ensued by the edge of the Goodradigbee River.
After lunch, the convoy made the relatively short drive from Lowells Flat to McIntyres Hut. The descent to McIntyres – especially the last 200m or so – proved to be the most challenging section of the ‘A Day in the Brindies’ drive. Deep ruts, up and down sharp crested moguls, loose soil, stones, and rocks all featured in the descent – seemingly all at the same time – resulting in plenty of nervous giggling in at least two of the convoy vehicles… It was worth it.
McIntyres Hut campground is inviting and rather picturesque, with a lovely wide green belt of grass running parallel to the Goodradigbee River – made even more special, as we seemingly were the only ones there.
Following a further stop for comfort and a group photo – the latter took quite some time due to an uncooperative bullbar which refused to be used as a tri-pod – we commenced our homeward leg of the drive.
Tony Speldewinde at McIntyres Hut having taken the above photo manually in the end…
Pleasingly the steep ascent from McIntyres was uneventful, though rather eye opening from the other perspective! We exited along McIntyres Trail and once past the initial couple of hundred metres the drive became moderate – perhaps just relatively – through heavily wooded surrounds, connecting with Waterfall, Webbs Ridge, and Dingi Dingi Ridge Trails.
The drive along Dingi Dingi Ridge Trail was spectacularly different in track condition and vegetation, providing a lot more relaxed and picturesque drive.
From Dingi Dingi we proceeded for a short time on Baldy Range Trail before turning left onto Two Sticks Road and moving back into high range for the remainder of the trip. Another short drive on what could be considered a two-wheel drive surface, before veering right onto Blue Range Road. We stopped along Blue Range Road to take in a nice view over the Cotter and Canberra, having afternoon tea and a chat, before travelling back to Brindabella Road where the trip concluded. Just shy of 100km plus there and back.
All in all, ‘A Day in the Brindies’ was a great outing made all the more special with the accompanying members of the LRC ACT: Simon, Russell, David, Tim, Gary, Peter, Steve and Dave.
Author: Russell Speldewinde
Acknowledments: With thanks from the newbies, Andrew, Lynda, Tony, and Serena