We're going for a day run up to PolBlue (Barrington Tops NSW, 1,550m above sea level).
Date: 20 July 2013
Time: Arrive at Gloucester BEFORE 10am, departing at 10am at THIS LOCATION (click to see Google Maps street view) - you can see the bowling club, there's a little road and parking area just beside the main road. We'll be in there until 10am.
It is possible that the road will be closed - NPWS won't let cars up the mountain if it's belting down with snow.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING:
* Warm clothes. Gloves are highly recommended. If you've got skiing clothing, this is preferred.
* Food & Drink - you might just want sandwiches & coke, but stoves are handy
RECOMMENDED:
* Snow chains
* Cameras
* UHF Radio - we'll use CH15.
IF YOU HAVE IT AND HAVE ROOM
* Recovery gear. It shouldn't be needed unless someone slides off the road on a patch of ice.
WHAT'S TO SEE
* Devil's Lookout - spectacular views across the southern expanse of the Barringtons and the valleys below.
* Wildlife - last time we were there, kangaroos came within a stone's throw of us
* Possibly snow - it's not snowing up there at the moment but in 2 weeks we might see some. Overnight temperatures are certainly low enough.
HOW HARD IS THE DRIVE
Normally the road is suitable for 2WD vehicles (normal passenger cars). It is kept in reasonable condition but potholes can be found and they're often filled with water. When the ground temperature falls below freezing, they ice up. If you are worried about a few mud splatters on your car, don't come along.
TRAVEL TIMES
Gloucester is 2 hours north of Newcastle and it takes about 2 hours to get up to Polblue in good weather. If it's snowing it will take considerably longer. West of the Walcha Rd turnoff the Scone Rd becomes graded dirt.
RETURN OPTIONS
You can go back home the way you came - that's what most of us did the last time. However if you live nearer to the New England Highway you might consider continuing west towards Scone. If you're travelling down from Tamworth, you can come down Walcha Rd (sealed all the way into Gloucester).
Date: 20 July 2013
Time: Arrive at Gloucester BEFORE 10am, departing at 10am at THIS LOCATION (click to see Google Maps street view) - you can see the bowling club, there's a little road and parking area just beside the main road. We'll be in there until 10am.
It is possible that the road will be closed - NPWS won't let cars up the mountain if it's belting down with snow.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING:
* Warm clothes. Gloves are highly recommended. If you've got skiing clothing, this is preferred.
* Food & Drink - you might just want sandwiches & coke, but stoves are handy
RECOMMENDED:
* Snow chains
* Cameras
* UHF Radio - we'll use CH15.
IF YOU HAVE IT AND HAVE ROOM
* Recovery gear. It shouldn't be needed unless someone slides off the road on a patch of ice.
WHAT'S TO SEE
* Devil's Lookout - spectacular views across the southern expanse of the Barringtons and the valleys below.
* Wildlife - last time we were there, kangaroos came within a stone's throw of us
* Possibly snow - it's not snowing up there at the moment but in 2 weeks we might see some. Overnight temperatures are certainly low enough.
HOW HARD IS THE DRIVE
Normally the road is suitable for 2WD vehicles (normal passenger cars). It is kept in reasonable condition but potholes can be found and they're often filled with water. When the ground temperature falls below freezing, they ice up. If you are worried about a few mud splatters on your car, don't come along.
TRAVEL TIMES
Gloucester is 2 hours north of Newcastle and it takes about 2 hours to get up to Polblue in good weather. If it's snowing it will take considerably longer. West of the Walcha Rd turnoff the Scone Rd becomes graded dirt.
RETURN OPTIONS
You can go back home the way you came - that's what most of us did the last time. However if you live nearer to the New England Highway you might consider continuing west towards Scone. If you're travelling down from Tamworth, you can come down Walcha Rd (sealed all the way into Gloucester).
