Grampians 4X4 & Hike Combo

Date and time:  18:00, Friday 28^th July to Sunday 30^th July 1700, approx

Description:  Please contact your trip leader if you are unsure of any of the following requirements for this trip.

4X4 tracks and a variety of hikes in the Grampians. There is a plan:

• Friday night – arrive at Plantation campground. It’s free, so no booking. Trailer friendly.
• Saturday – tracks around Pomonal and down to Dunkeld where we will ascend Mt Sturgeon on foot; three choices of walk depending on your fitness level, or visit Roz’s bookshop in Dunkeld.  The Sturgeon options are:
• • A – Dunkeld to summit 6km/370m elevation, back to Dunkeld 15km loop with some double-back. I’ll be doing this one.
  • B – Grampians Rd/Vic Valley to summit 3.8km/330m, back to junction loop, 7km.
  • C – Vic Valley carpark to summit 2.4km/295m, back to carpark 4.8km out & return.
• Then, tracks. or hikes. Who knows. See how we roll.
• Sunday – tracks & hikes again. That’s as far as I’ve got with planning, we’ll roll the maps out and plan the day.

Weather:  I have no idea, come prepared. Will be hiking even in the rain.

Equipment:  Below are the recommended vehicle requirements.  If you are not sure if you vehicle is suitable for a trip, please have a chat with the trip leader.

Minima - all-terrain tyres, at least a handheld UHF radio.

Additional Equipment required:  Camping gear for 2 nights. Be self-sufficient for food, Halls Gap isn’t far away but I don’t want to be diverting.

Maps and Reference Material:  Grampians https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/documents/visitor-guides-and-publications/grampians/grampians-national-park-visitor-guide.pdf?rev=ffcdd85a43fa4751b5eb73afaee8d71c

https://cartographics.com.au/grampians-special-topographic-map.html

Trip Standard:  Moderate – mostly your car will just cruise in low, but there will be a few points where you’ll need to pick a line carefully.

Distance:  probably do 200km over the weekend

Fuel:  Suggest filling on the way in around Ararat or a Halls Gap.

Duration: Weekend

Convoy limit: 6 vehicles

Meeting arrangements:  Plantation Campground, either Friday night or 0800 Saturday. (Plantation Campground can be found using Google Maps)

Trip Leader: Robert Pepper robert@peppernet.org. 0408 226354