VNOG high country snow trip - Queen's Birthday long weekend

[WoodyD40]

I dont mind hiring chains its just from that website it looks like mansfield is my only choice but I wont be travelling back that way, and woody my gf will be there.

thanks for letting me know that - my wife didnt want to be the 'only' female.

 

[WoodyD40]

Mount Buller
View the current warnings for Victoria
Forecast issued at 5:31 am EST on Wednesday 8 June 2011.
Forecast for the rest of WednesdaySummary Max -3Snow showers. Very windy.Cloudy. Snow showers. Winds south to southwesterly averaging 45 to 60 km/h.
No UV Alert, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
Thursday 9 June
Summary Min -4Max 0Few snow showers. Very windy.Cloudy. A few snow showers. Winds southerly averaging up to 55 km/h.
Friday 10 June
Summary Min -2Max 2Morning snow showers. Windy.Partly cloudy. The chance of snow showers during the morning. Winds south to southeasterly averaging up to 45 km/h decreasing to about 20 km/h during the afternoon.
Saturday 11 June
Summary Min -3Max 2Partly cloudy.Partly cloudy. Winds east to southeasterly averaging up to 30 km/h.
Sunday 12 June
Summary Min -4Max 4Mostly sunny.Mostly sunny. Winds easterly averaging 20 to 35 km/h.
Monday 13 June
Summary Min -2Max 3Becoming windy. Partly cloudy.Partly cloudy. Winds easterly averaging 25 to 35 km/h increasing to 40 to 50 km/h during the evening.
Tuesday 14 June
Summary Min 0Max 3Partly cloudy.Partly cloudy. Winds east to southeasterly averaging 15 to 25 km/h, reaching 35 km/h at times, tending southeasterly and light during the afternoon.

 

[scottybobcat]

its going to be cold.

 

[ONLOCK]

thanks for letting me know that - my wife didnt want to be the 'only' female.

Belle usually is anyway, but she probly swears more than the others so shes not out of place lol

 

[navarian]

I've been doing some checking around - ie phone calls to mansfield.

The BP roadhouse on the way back out of town, sells and hires out chains (mud and snow chains). The Diesel is Alpine diesel now. ph 5775 2807.

I expect to purchase a set of chains as i top up with fuel at the BP.

I have also just phoned Mt Buller resort (5777 6077), and have been advised that circuit track will be closed as of thursday due to the early and heavy snow dump they have recieved so no access to Mt Stirling or to Craigs hut. This will probably change our game plan then for saturday. We will need to start paying for access to the area from FRIDAY ($36.00), and we are advised to carry snow chains with us (even for 4wd's)

I bought my chains from autobarns a couple of years ago,good price,worth a call.Got mine from the chirnside park store.
If they have closed the gate at telephone box junction there will be no access from the stirling road and no need to pay to get on the mountain.
You could go in through sheepyard flat but that depends on if they have closed the gate near the start off bluff tk.I think there is another way in from near witfield.

 

[docp1980]

Ok guys, just spoke to Parks Vic in Mansfield, if Mt Buller has decided to close the gate at Telephone Box Junction then we can still access Craig's Hut, we just need to come in from Bindaree Road. That way we can still access Craig's Hut and the top of Stirling from either the Monument Track (snow level dependant) or we can traverse Circuit Road around to Clear Hills Track and go up that way (where I originally intended to go). The road closed signs will still be in place for the section of Circuit Road from Monument Track to Black Landing Road, but she simply said, there is no fine if you drive past these, it's just a case of do so at your own risk. This section of track has been 'closed' all season, but i've definitely seen 4wds using it without a drama and I have also safely driven a couple of the other 'closed' tracks this season too. These tracks aren't gated, it's simply a case of going around the road closed sign. This way we can still get access to Black Landing Road and down to Pineapple Flat. If we come in via Bindaree Road it also avoids paying gate entry.

 

[docp1980]

Just spoke with the Mt Buller management board too and they have confirmed what Parks Vic said, those tracks will still be open, but they 'don't recommend' using them. So, this trip is a snow trip and I definitely want to do some snow driving, so I will at the very least be checking out access to the mountain this way. Anyone who isn't cool with this though, please put your hand up now as I'm sure we can find alternate ways to get over to Lake Cobbler. The only difficult track in question here is the Monument Track and we can decide upon this once we have a look at it.

 

[docp1980]

Another option is to come in via Corn Hill Logging Road which also bypasses the gates at Telephone Box Junction and looks to be alot quicker than using 16 Mile Jeep Track/Bindaree Road.

 

[navarian]

Lots of bog holes at the bottom of that just over the Howqua.Have fun with those.
Thats where i'll be camping if i go,if i'm there your welcome to stop by for a morning bevy.

 

[ONLOCK]

Im happy to still do the monument tk, is 16 mile jeep tk the one with all the errosion mounds, I think I rode that tracks years ago. If we go that way we wont need the chains will we

 

[WoodyD40]

Just spoke with the Mt Buller management board too and they have confirmed what Parks Vic said, those tracks will still be open, but they 'don't recommend' using them. So, this trip is a snow trip and I definitely want to do some snow driving, so I will at the very least be checking out access to the mountain this way. Anyone who isn't cool with this though, please put your hand up now as I'm sure we can find alternate ways to get over to Lake Cobbler. The only difficult track in question here is the Monument Track and we can decide upon this once we have a look at it.

I did the monument track with the camper trailer behind me back on the march long weekend. The track was solid, it had been raining prior, the track was damp (not wet), and we managed to get 3 camper trailers up monument track safely up to craigs hut. In the snow will be very diferent i imagine - so i'm looking forward to that.

I'm keen to circumvent the fees - only because we get to do more 4wd'ing (not just to be skinny saving a few bucks on fees)

 

[WoodyD40]

Im happy to still do the monument tk, is 16 mile jeep tk the one with all the errosion mounds, I think I rode that tracks years ago. If we go that way we wont need the chains will we

16 mile track was in really good condition back in march as well.

 

[Ridgie]

I'm in your capable hands Matt - you da trip master bro!

 

[heata]

What time are people expecting to arrive at the camp site friday night? I'm looking at 7.30-8.00pm

 

[Ridgie]

Same. Hoping to leave work by 3.30pm - 4.00pm.

.

 

[docp1980]

What time are people expecting to arrive at the camp site friday night? I'm looking at 7.30-8.00pm

Chris and I will prolly get in around 10:30.

 

[WoodyD40]

i'll probably be at the designated camp area about mid-afternoon.

if i'm there early, i'll scrounge around for enough fire wood for the first nights camp fire ... so you will at least have somewhere warm to roast your feet for the first night.

 

[Ridgie]

i'll probably be at the designated camp area about mid-afternoon.

if i'm there early, i'll scrounge around for enough fire wood for the first nights camp fire ... so you will at least have somewhere warm to roast your feet for the first night.

You're a champ Woody.. Bless your kind heart my friend. (Make it a big fire!)

 

[docp1980]

Ok, here is the revised plan for Fri and Sat.

Friday night - Carters Road camping area

Sat -

As a result of the gate being closed at Telephone Box Junction I am proposing two alternative routes:

1) Easiest route, but also is dependent on No 3 Road being reopened after the search and rescue operation for the missing hunter. Continue up Carter's Road and onto No 3 Road which then comes out onto Circuit Road.

2) Howqua Track onto Brock's Road and then onto 16 Mile Jeep Track. From here either onto Corn Hill Logging Road (harder) or Bindaree Road (easier) and up to Circuit Road.

The two groups are:

Group 1: Myself, Heata and Ridgie

Group 2: Scotty, Kyle and Woody

Now we can either stagger the leaving times as originally planned, so Group 1 at 8:30am and Group 2 at least 1 hour later OR, Group 1 can take the easier route in and Group 2 can go for the harder option.

I don't think snow will really be an issue below 1200m, I reckon the cover below this is likely to be 10-15cm, so the Nav's will simply sink through it and onto the track base. Any track heading up towards Craig's Hut/Mt Stirling summit off Circuit Road will be the interesting ones!

Campsite for Sat night will be discussed during Saturday depending on how fast/slow we end up moving along the tracks. See you all on Friday night!

 

[ONLOCK]

not sure what time ill be at camp on fri, depends on what time i finish work should be before 9 id say, hopefully closer to 7 but will see how i go