Bridle Track North Bathurst

[OneMofo]

Hey guys,

Looking at heading over after NY to take the young bloke camping and iv been looking for a 4x4 entry only type camping spot which has swimming and fishing etc.
I`v found that north of Bathurst there is a track called Bridle Track which sits just off the Macquarie River and it looks good via internet mapping, there seems to be a few spots to pitch the tent, has anyone been there?? rumour has it that there was a rock slide in 2010 and part of the road is blocked off can anyone verify??.
Thinking of hitting Lithgow running some tracks then head over to Sofala then down to Bridie Track for camp set up.
What do you guys think??

 

[sparra04]

want some company?
always wanted to have a look at the bridle track

 

[Old.Tony]

The Bridle Track was closed by the rockfall and from what I can tell it is still blocked. Not only did the rock fall on the road, but part of the road fell away, so it's not as simple as just blasting the rock out of the way and continuing on the road.

Motorbikes are apparently getting through. Anyone with a Dakar-style motorcycle who went up there with a camera would be able to give us invaluable info on the entire track. Finding up-to-date info on it is difficult, and Bathurst City Council don't look like they're in a hurry to do anything.

With that said, I wouldn't mind a drive there either. There are camp areas (I'm told) available from the Hill End side before the rockfall.

 

[samcubus]

There are heaps of camping spots along the river down the bridle track accessible until you hit the blockage. Still a good place to go. Bring some panning equipment if u got it. I still find flakes might be fun for the little ones 2.

 

[OneMofo]

want some company?
always wanted to have a look at the bridle track

Just seen your post Sparra, throwing some plans together now, just waiting on the boss to get back from his fancy holidays and approve my leave, assuming he does and a few other things falls into place ill give you a heads up and see happens. i hear there is good 4x4ing there plus greats camping spots, i did read somewhere that you can get in there by entering from another road (will do more research).
I read that the Rock fall was supposed to have been in 2010 oldTony, were now entering 2014, HHHMM council living up to their names much.

Edit: from what i can find 17K`s from Hill end there is a rock fall, but ill be coming from bathurst side and the directions below by map looks promising, simply 2 roads (Freemantle Rd to Root Hog fire trail over the Mac river to Bridle track.
Better fit my winch before i go just in case.

Edit Edit: At this stage i look to head over around the 13th-14th and returning 17th-18th, spend a few days, camping, fishing and of course 4x4ing, anyone is happy to come along or meet me there (unknown if i get phone service once there) but as i said previously it all depends on my boss be a nice guy since I'm working both chrissy and NY for him. Ill be sure to let you guys know as soon as i do..

 

[OneMofo]

i found this on 4x4 earth:

"G'Day David

Further to your email regarding the current status of the Bridle Track, the
road is currently closed at Monaghan's Bluff. I have attached some photos for
your convenience. Council has opened up an alternate route to get to the other
side of the Bluff as opposed to going all the way around through Hill End. You
can still get to the Bluff from both Hill End and Bathurst but cannot get past
it.

The alternative takes you, from Bathurst, via the Freemantle rd and then down
Root Hog Rd (4WD only at the moment) to the Macquarie River and across to the
Bridle Track. It brings you out at The Bridle Track about 1km on the western
side of Monaghan's Bluff. From there you can of course get to Hill End via the
Bridle Track.

Due to extent of damage and estimated, very high cost, Council has no plans to
repair at this stage".

 

[Old.Tony]

I reckon it'd be cool to go have a look at least, I might have a word to the wife about a trip to Hill End. We're actually quite short on cash at the moment so she might not like it much.

From here it's about a 5 hour drive (not towing) to the start of the Bridle Track, so it'd be another 4am start for us - can do, of course - 360km there and back plus the 4WDing inbetween, won't quite be one tank of fuel or around $200 for the trip. If we finish at around 2pm and head for home (gives us 5 hours to play) we're home at a reasonable hour.

Will have to talk to the Mrs - having a day off would also delay work on the house, so far I've got the tiling done, decking done, I've replaced several light fittings, installed a new ceiling fan, removed all but the stumps of about 12 trees. I still have 9 more window locks to install, some cementing to do, install a side gate, get the water pump installed, trim the citrus trees, install a skylight, two whirlybirds, two exhaust fans (with roof venting) ... it hasn't stopped, not for a day, and I'd appreciate the break to be honest!

Edit: I just changed the destination for the start of the trip to Bathurst, turns out it's about the same for us, so either place to start would be good. Google Maps won't let me calculate a route beyond the Freemantle Rd/Gowan Rd intersection but the Root Hog Fire Trail looks to be about 5km beyond this point, which is 36km from Tyers Park Racecourse (as good a meeting place as any, I guess).

Looks like it's about 10km of mostly good road to the Macquarie River crossing (which looks like a proper water crossing from the satellite, I can't see the exact crossing location). Might be another 8km of track to Hill End. In all, it doesn't look too bad.

Google map for the track is here.

 

[Old.Tony]

Well, my work here continues (having a lunch break at the moment, then out to continue digging a trench for power cabling). Definitely wanting a break! Is anyone going on this trip? What dates/times are people thinking?

 

[OneMofo]

At this stage i look to head over around the 13th-14th and returning 17th-18th, spend a few days, camping, fishing and of course 4x4ing, anyone is happy to come along or meet me there (unknown if i get phone service once there) but as i said previously it all depends on my boss be a nice guy since I'm working both chrissy and NY for him. Ill be sure to let you guys know as soon as i do..

 

[sparra04]

Ime out on this one
Rather large expense just popped up so I am pulling my head in for a while
party safe 2nite
seeya all
next year

 

[joshy]

The water crossing at root hog shouldn't be too bad as we've had bugger all rain. But you do need to pick your line through it as there are some large rocks in the water.

 

[OneMofo]

yeah thinking ill walk first, don't really want a flooded ute.
Cheers for that Joshy

 

[Old.Tony]

So which side of the river are you camping at - Hill End?

 

[OneMofo]

I have no idea yet oldTony, iv been told the 4x4ing is best on the otherside of the river, but the camping is better on the Bridle side, either way approaching from Bathurst will be the only option i think as travelling from the Hill end side is not possible.

Edit: Bruinbun reserve seems like a likely spot as there are toilets and a few camping areas, not to mention there seems to be a crossing there to cross the River so i can attack bothsides for both fishing and 4x4ing.
I`d like to check out the crossing area where Root Hog meets the River as if its crossable then its in a better location and closer to all the 4x4ing and fishing areas.

 

[Old.Tony]

There's a bypass around the rockfall apparently (Joshy might know?) so travelling in from either direction is supposed to be possible.

I think we'll come in from the Hill End side and see how far we can make it. Which UHF channel would you like to use?

 

[OneMofo]

i dont mind Tondy maybe 17 or 18 eitehr both or all is fine, i`m still waiting on my boss to stop being a dick and get back to me about my time off. i`ll keep you up to date fingers crossed as i want to visit family and start making a custom roof rack and fit it.

 

[joshy]

Root hog is not a bad campsite (but would be at least a year now since I went through) the only way to drive the bridle track without turning back is to go through root hog. Heaps of campsites between root hog and hill end. I suggest heading In from Bathurst to root hog and crossing the river before finding a camping spot. Then head out via hill end ( pub does a good feed) and back to Bathurst via sofala.

 

[OneMofo]

Roughly at what im looking at doing Joshy thanks for the info.
Well looks like iv got the go ahead so far, boss said ok for time off, just running down home to build the roof rack and install the new Runva XP11 the misses bought me for chrissy.
So IF all goes well (fingers crossed) ill be heading to Bridle roughly 16th or 17th and returning 19th or 20th will probably enter from bathurst as Joshy suggested and come in via Root Hog fire track and over the river to find camping, ill have the UHF on (will let you know what channel) so if anyone decides to head in that direction you can find me as im sure there will be no phone service.
Bring on the camping and fishing i say.
ill take a few pics so you can see whats its like in case you want to head that way in the future.

 

[04SilverSTR]

sounds like a great trip, was down that way on sept beautiful counrty side!! didnt get to do the bridle track but it looks like fun!

bryan

 

[OneMofo]

Just headed off now will be there till at least Sunday maybe monday, will be on channel 40 for anyone who is headed that way. (Call for Browny)
My only concern is the heat and being that isolated so ill head there and have a look and see what its like, if its too hot or for some reason unavailable or unsafe ill probably he'd up the high way to either Lake Lyell (be nice as its close to Newnes) or Lake Windamere (as another option)
If anything changes from Bridle ill jump on via my phone and let you guys know, if anyone is in the area let me know would be up for a bit of 4x4ing over the weekend.