4WD Treks Close to Melbourne: Validation of Trek 18 – Mt Robertson
Date and time: 9:30am, Sunday 07 May to 4:00pm Sunday 07 May 2023
Description: Please contact your trip leader if you are unsure of any of the following requirements for this trip.
The purpose of this trip is to validate Trek 18 Mt Robertson from the book ‘4WD Treks Close to Melbourne’. This means that the trip may run slower than normal whilst time is taken to check each part of the route and note updates needed on track comments.
The route starts from Pheasant Creek and heads into the Mt Robertson State Forest. It then passes through the Kinglake National Park, finishing in Glenburn. It is listed as a Hard trip as there are a couple of loops marked as Difficult.
Whilst this is a day trip, you are welcome to camp overnight with us on the Saturday, most likely in Tallarook State Forest. The meeting point if camping on Saturday night would be at Strath Creek on the Saturday afternoon when the Saturday Trek 19 day trip finishes around 4pm.
The intent is to complete Trek 19 Andersons Garden on the Saturday (see separate day trip listing), so you are welcome to sign up for that trip as well and make a weekend of it, just arrive to camp for the night or just do this day trip.
Part of this trip will be exploration as I have not travelled most of these tracks before. If the weather and track conditions are too difficult the validation may be postponed and Treks 3, 4 or 5 validated instead.
Please carry all food and water for the day plus cooking and camping equipment if you plan to camp overnight on the Saturday night prior.
Morning tea and lunches will be in the bush each day – byo simple, “on the move” lunches and morning teas.
Appropriate clothing and closed toe footwear for cold and possibly wet conditions (depending on forecast). Overnight temperatures can be cold. Bring appropriate camping gear for these conditions (if you are camping the night before).
No camper trailers, pets or firearms.
I highly recommend RACV Total Care or similar plus full Ambulance Cover.
Reference: Rooftops Map ‘Toolangi - Macedon Adventure Map’
Accommodation: If you are only coming for the day then accommodation is not applicable. We will bush camp in a designated campsite with drop toilets available for those staying overnight on Saturday.
Weather: These are forested areas, so rain and fog are possible. The weather will be monitored leading up to and during the trip. The trip may be cancelled or changed to Treks 3, 4 or 5 depending on weather conditions.
Equipment: Below are the recommended vehicle requirements. If you are not sure if your vehicle is suitable for a trip, please have a chat with the trip leader.
Good off-road tyres (All Terrain, 60 profile recommended as a minimum), UHF radio (or one borrowed from the club), a well-maintained vehicle with low range (or equivalent), good ground clearance (200mm recommended as a minimum), recovery points, standard recovery gear including dampener, rated snatch strap and shackles, shovel. Drivers must have completed the RRCV club training or equivalent.
Additional Equipment required: Cold weather clothing suitable for short walks in the bush, air compressor and tyre gauge, MaxTrax or similar recovery equipment. Optional chainsaw and all safety equipment (chaps, hard hat, safety goggles, ear muffs, steel toe cap boots, leather gloves – PPE). A winch may be handy if you have one. Camping gear suitable for cooler environments if staying overnight prior.
Trip Standard: Hard – Most tracks are Easy, but there are some sections classified as Hard. Drivers must have completed at least the Proficiency level driver training course, have had some experience with Medium tracks on other club trips and be comfortable using driving aids such as traction control and hill descent control.
Fuel: Enough fuel from Pheasant Creek for 46km.
Distance: Melbourne to Pheasant Creek 60km. Pheasant Creek to Glenburn 46km. Glenburn to Melbourne 70km.
Duration: 1 day
Convoy limit: 6 vehicles
Meeting arrangements: We plan to meet at the Flying Tarts Bakery, Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd, Pheasant Creek at 9.30am for our trip briefing. (What3Words reference https://w3w.co/unaware.additives.leagues). We aim to finish about 4:00pm at Glenburn. Separate details will be sent to those meeting us at Strath Creek on Saturday.
Trip Leader: James Lawson, Phone - 0429265550, Email – lawsonj71au@gmail.com
