Avon Wilderness Area – base camp weekend
Date and time: Fri 30th April to Sunday 2nd May
Description: Base camping at Huggetts Crossing Campground on Friday and Saturday night (Kentucky Rd, Monomak VIC 3860).
On Friday afternoon we will meet up at Huggetts Crossing Campground for the nights camping. The campground has drop toilets.
On Saturday we will have a full day of tracks (approx. 85kms) commencing with Huggetts Crossing, where we will drive through the Avon River and onto Huggetts Track (rated Hard). The day will take us along a range of Hard tracks and Medium track gradings with many water crossings.
Avon Track is rated Very Hard. It has some steep climbs and steep descents plus more water crossings. (Graeme Allen and I reccy’d this track in January). We will end the day with Lower Block Track (Medium), this is a windy track that will take us back to our camp spot for another night.
On Sunday morning we will make our way to the lookout at Ben Cruachan (836 meters). Note: Sunday is really a reccy as I have not driven on the planned tracks before.
We will head south out of Huggetts campground and make our way to Corner Creek Track (Medium). From there we take three Hard rated tracks to get to the look out.
We will descend on Chomleys Road (Medium) and Beaver Meadows Track (Hard) to Millers Road where we will make back to the campground to pack up. We will then make our way to Heyfield - finishing the trip at the Railway Hotel.
The exact route will be subject to track and weather conditions. If very wet or there has been a lot of rain in the preceding days then some of the tracks will become very slippery and may become impassable, this may necessitate taking alternative routes or forest roads.
Weather: Cool to cold so bring appropriate bedding, clothing and food.
Equipment: Well-maintained Low Range 4wd’s with high clearance (minimum 2-inch lift above standard) and have rated recovery points front and rear.
Tyres must be of Light Truck construction and be either mud terrain or all terrain with deep tread and minimum 60 profile. No road tyres.
Vehicles must have a snorkel fitted and carry a car bra or tarp to secure to the front in case of higher-than-expected water levels.
Drivers must have completed the RRCV club training. Vehicles must be UHF radio equipped (or one borrowed from the club). Standard recovery gear including dampener, rated snatch strap and shackles, shovel must be carried.
Camper trailers are welcome.
No pets, or firearms
Trip Standard: Hard/Medium. Some of tracks are rated Medium but most are rated Hard and one Very Hard. Expect steep climbs and descents, challenging sections, water crossings, ruts (may be deep in some sections) and bog holes after rain.
Fuel: Full tank ex Melbourne. Fuel available in Heyfield
Distance: Saturday – approx. 85km of mainly low range driving. Sunday – approx. 97km of mainly low range driving.
Duration: 2 days
Convoy limit: 6 vehicles
Meeting arrangements for Friday afternoon: Huggetts Crossing Campground, Kentucky Rd, Monomak VIC 3860.
It is located 29kms (40 mins) NE from the Mobil petrol station in Heyfield. Heyfield is located 230 kms (3hrs) East of Melbourne.
Trip Leader: Gary Tinner 0414 742 701 gary.tinner@visaexecutive.com
