Hey all,
I was fortunate enough to get away last week camping with the family, first time bush in about 6 years so was really hanging out for it, especially seeing it was the first time away camping since I’ve taken up riding late last year. My wife’s family have always headed to “The Pines” near Goughs Bay on Lake Eildon so we kept with tradition. 11 adults, 2 kids (mine) and 1 dog came away for the 7 nights of R&R. We like to travel right down the end of The Pines to camp, however we pass a good 20 spots on the way, but the ones down the end get less passing traffic. We set up camp at a place called Jimmy’s Bend or often called Dumbells which is just around the corner from Highett Point. Now whilst the ride wasn’t an AMTRA event, I thought I might jot down my experience to let others know what this fantastic area is like and as I wouldn’t mind organising an AMTRA ride here later this year.
I rode most days of which in addition to just local exploring, I did 4 longer mapped out rides. Unfortunately I was riding by myself as a loan bike fell through for another family member so I had to keep the trips within 2-3 hours duration and be mindful of keeping it safe (conditions the boss placed on me but probably good advice). I found quickly that this place has some extreme hills, great variety of terrain and riding suitable for all skill levels.
Ride One – After being told by everyone that the main mountain ridge was extreme and in places too hilly to even walk up, I wanted to prove them wrong and took the mountain ridge. So after 30 minutes of warming up on some of the hilly sections leading down to the water and then some small loops on the fire trails, I ventured up the mountain ridge on the Highett Point Track. Well they were right, it was steep to walk in some sections, but nothing a bike couldn’t tackle. Within minutes you’re well above the pine forest and the views are incredible and our camp site looked tiny down the bottom of the hill. Being my first ride out by myself and not being familiar with the area, I told base camp that I’d be back within 2 hours so after stopping a lot to take photos, tackling a bloody steep and rocky down hill and exploring the ridge, I headed down Fire Break 19 and back to the main road, explored the pine forest again before taking Walshes Road back to camp.
Ride Two – Proving to everyone that I can tackle the ridge (I never had doubts) I went back up there again, this time with the view to following the ridge as far as I could. For some reason the steep downhill from yesterday didn’t seem so steep anymore but the winds were a lot stronger making the very exposed parts of the ridge a place I didn’t want to stay for long. In some places, the drop from either side of the steep and rocky narrow track was daunting but thankfully those sections just required a heap of throttle and patience and were behind me quickly. So following the Highett Point Track finally took me over the other side of the mountain into the state forest which was a much nicer place to be, thick forest, hills and fast tracks, great riding. I eventually came out of Highett Point trail and onto the Stillmans Track which soon lead me to run into a few DSE boys doing some back burning. I stopped to have a chat, the access road I wanted to take back down the hill followed the power lines but was also smouldering away nicely. After a few minutes they were happy for me to follow the road back past the fires (the same road that they were suppose to have closed off from traffic but forgot). I stopped to take a few pics then header back down the road to the start of Walshes Road which is the main road into The Pines and the way back to camp. Following the dirt road was a nice change and a chance to practice my cornering.
Ride Three – A different approach today and I decided to head anti-clockwise and head south, continuing on Walshe’s Road I headed towards Maintongoon Inlet which is where I’d like to camp next time, there’s a few good spots to camp here and it’s right next to the pine forest which is great to camp near. From here I followed the road around to Woolshed Inlet on Stillmans Road and nearly picked the bugs off the headlight of a speeding KTM rider as he came tearing around a corner with his mate not watching where he was going or keeping to his side of the track. Anyway I think I scared him more then he scared me and he took off quickly. The plan was to keep on Stillmans Road until I found Stillmans Track, sounded easy but wasn’t the case. I mistook Stillmans Track for a Fire Break so ignored it and ended up at Stillmans Point in the old Pine forest which was a great detour but not where I wanted to head. Anyway I took a punt on this bloody steep fire break and hoped it was Stillmans Track.
This hill was daunting from down below but the thick scrub made it impossible to see the top, I’m glad I hadn’t seen the top before I started otherwise I wouldn’t have ventured up there. It was the steepest and rockiest ridge line I’d seen and just kept going and going. Once committed I was adamant this hill wasn’t getting the better of me so I just hung in there and powered over the large rocks until I stalled the bike as I navigated around a large rock face in a very steep section. It was just too steep to get back on the bike so once it was restarted; I walked it up in 1st gear to a better spot, remounted and rode the rest of the way to find to blokes at the top having a break next to their WR450’s. Welcoming site in the middle of nowhere and the surprising looks on their faces when I told them I took that hill by myself reminded me that riding alone isn’t safe so I was keen to look for less daunting hills and was happy when they told me that the worst was behind me.
So off I went down the Stillman Track and just loved it as it cuts right through the Lake Eildon National Park, the tracks were great and after a while I rejoined the Highett Point Track where I bumped into the DSE blokes the other day and from there followed the trails back to Walshe’s Road then the 20km on the windy roads back to base camp. On the way back I dropped in and out of the fire breaks and the pine forest where I encountered a few kangaroos and did the only damage to the bike all week, dropped it on a stupidly steep fire break and lost the end of my clutch lever, had a laugh and kept going.
Ride Four – Knowing this was my last ride I was looking for new challenges and decided to explore the lake bed. Starting at Highett Point I dropped down to the water line and followed the shore as close as possible all the way up the Delatite Arm of Lake Eildon. Interesting place as the flats are well used by hoons who burn cars, trees, camp chairs and anything that’s not nailed down. But there’s also the footings of an old house, old fences and bridges that can now be seen with the water being so low. My plan was to keep going until the water ended, then head onto the lake bed and tour around which was interesting. I actually found the terrain on the lake more hazardous then up on the mountain ridge as there were heaps of hidden water holes, ruts and dried creek beds that crept up on you before you had time to take evasive action. Anyway I eventually found the actual Delatite River which was flowing well but not too deep. I crossed it a few times and was no more then 2 feet in spots, but was again good practice as I haven’t had the fortune to practice too many river crossings. I eventually ran out of lake bed so headed back up to Walshe’s Rd again and headed back to base camp, stopping along the way to check the suitability of some other camp sites and trails for a future visit.
So that was my week, heading off camping with the bike is the best way to spend a week, great place, great food, great company and most importantly, great riding. Only one downside however as that was being rained on as we packed up has meant 3 solid days of cleaning tents and gear since being home and means the bike is still sitting there needing a good clean.
If everything works out then I’m keen to look at organising an AMTRA weekend “camp and ride” at The Pines later this year, preferably after winter once the cold and wet is behind us. I'm also keen to hear of any other adventures here as I only got to see such a small amount of what's there. I saw a heap of keen riders hitting the hills in the pouring rain as we were leaving on Saturday, brave souls as the fire breaks are treacherous enough in the dry. So if anyone’s keen on coming to this area later this year for a weekend ride then post up some comments, if there’s enough interest then I’ll look to booking something in..
Thanks, DanJ
Start of Highett Point Track
View from Highett Point back down to our camp site
How's this for a well marked intersection? Shame they wern't all like this
View north from Highett Point back down to pine plantation and Delatite Arm
Photo down on the flats
Nice downhill, seemed much easier the next time, photo doesn't do it justice
DSE back burning
Took brother in laws boat out, gotta watch the trees
Wife cooking my toast, the view of the lake from our camp fire was fantastic
Last ride - End of the lake on the Delatite Arm, I wasn't taking the bike down there...
Delatite River, flowing well and great for camping
Had to get atleast 1 photo of myself, riding alone means more scenery then action photos
A well used track and as you can see in this YouTube clip, is good for 4WD jumping.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oGptxBdSP8&playnext_from=TL&videos=hOxIM69QGSA
Little venture into the plantation, unique place to ride, came across a few roos wanting someone to race
The bay at Maintongoon Inlet, great camping spots around hereLinks to some maps I used..
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae18/danjewell/Eildon%202010/Eildon1.jpghttp://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae18/danjewell/Eildon%202010/Eildon2.jpg
AMTRA.com.au
