Vic High Country tracks - Now with a trip report

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Originally posted by Greylandy+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Greylandy)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-PCH
Okay guys (and gals),

Who can help me out with some recent track reports?

1. Is the gate from Lovicks Hut along Bluff Tk to King Billy Tk open? It was still locked in late November from what I was told. I hate to go down Cairns Creek Tk again (too over grown for me).

2. I suppose King Billy Tk to the Howitt Road is clear. Anyone been along it recently.

3. What is Zeka Spur/Wonnagatta Tk/Herne Spur like and the Tks to get me down into the Wonnagatta area like? How long will this take from Howitt Plains to a decent camping area?

Thanks Chris

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Hi Chris,

I just got back from the High County so here goes:

1. The gate from Lovicks Hut is definetely open. Not sure how you plan to get up there but I'd recommend the 16 Mile Jeep track ... nice climb to the top.

2. King Billy to Howitt Rd. is clear .. the track is in reasonable condition ... very rocky but easy to negotiate. There is a good camping spot at Howitt Hut.

3. The Zeka Spur is an excellent track ... not overly difficult but a few rocky sections that will test the D3. Look for a big drop on one of the turns ... you'll need a guide to get down there.

If you are looking to setup camp when you get down into the valley .. take a left off the Wonnangatta track and head for Rileys Creek ... very nice camping up there. Otherwise keep going on the Wonnangatta track there are heaps of great camping spots along the Wonnangatta river.

This Wonnangatta track is mostly fire trail with a few mudholes and river crossings .. none will be a problem for the D3. Herne Spur track is a doosy ... a great big old climb to the top with magnificent views of the Wonnangatta Valley.

Enjoy your trip,
Henry.[/b][/quote]

Thanks guys for the notes.

Excellent report Greylandy,

I'm going to skip Wonnangatta this trip becasue I don't think I can get from Camp Ck at Mt Speculation across to the Wonnangatta Valley in one day and enjoy the day. I'm going to save the Wonnangatta for an overnighter and come in via Dargo and go out via Licola. I travel up Zeka Spur instead of go down it.

Chris

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Originally posted by PCH
Okay guys (and gals),

Who can help me out with some recent track reports?


3. What is Zeka Spur/Wonnagatta Tk/Herne Spur like and the Tks to get me down into the Wonnagatta area like? How long will this take from Howitt Plains to a decent camping area?

Thanks Chris

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Just got back from that area. (Omeo to Woods Point over 2 days)

Very dusty and dry and all the river crossings are easy.

Going up Zeka spur will be fun, you can have a few clearance issues though. Herne spur was much the same.
We did Omeo to Wonnangatta in a full day of driving, with all vehicles well setup with lockers & 35's setting a good pace.

I hope your running good tyres - over 9 days we had 13 flats and 2 blowouts. Needless to say we are now very good at changing and repairing tyres very quickly (Tyreplyers are awesome https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ ).

Only 2 cars out of 5 didnt have problems, one had Claws and the other had swampers. The motobikes that were travelong with us had more tyre issues, wearing out tyres every 3 days or so. One had 5 flats over 50m 8O .

Great country. Just take it easy and watch where your wheels are driving.

Dave.

I need some more help.

Next weekend after Mt Speculation/Staircase/Bindaree/Bluff Hut I'm thinking of coming back via Howitt Plains and turning off the Howitt Road onto Butcher Country Tk to then finally join back onto Dingo Hill Tk/Road and the Howitt/Tomboritha Road to Licola.

What is Butcher Country Tk like? On the Topo map it looks like it follows the Butcher Country Ridge and then descend sharply to Dingo Hill Tk.

Any ideas about how long it take to travel this section and what sort of condition the Tk is in?

Thanks,

Chris

Quote:

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Originally posted by Greylandy+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Greylandy)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-PCH
Okay guys (and gals),

Who can help me out with some recent track reports?

1. Is the gate from Lovicks Hut along Bluff Tk to King Billy Tk open? It was still locked in late November from what I was told. I hate to go down Cairns Creek Tk again (too over grown for me).

2. I suppose King Billy Tk to the Howitt Road is clear. Anyone been along it recently.

3. What is Zeka Spur/Wonnagatta Tk/Herne Spur like and the Tks to get me down into the Wonnagatta area like? How long will this take from Howitt Plains to a decent camping area?

Thanks Chris

---

Hi Chris,

I just got back from the High County so here goes:

1. The gate from Lovicks Hut is definetely open. Not sure how you plan to get up there but I'd recommend the 16 Mile Jeep track ... nice climb to the top.

2. King Billy to Howitt Rd. is clear .. the track is in reasonable condition ... very rocky but easy to negotiate. There is a good camping spot at Howitt Hut.

3. The Zeka Spur is an excellent track ... not overly difficult but a few rocky sections that will test the D3. Look for a big drop on one of the turns ... you'll need a guide to get down there.

If you are looking to setup camp when you get down into the valley .. take a left off the Wonnangatta track and head for Rileys Creek ... very nice camping up there. Otherwise keep going on the Wonnangatta track there are heaps of great camping spots along the Wonnangatta river.

This Wonnangatta track is mostly fire trail with a few mudholes and river crossings .. none will be a problem for the D3. Herne Spur track is a doosy ... a great big old climb to the top with magnificent views of the Wonnangatta Valley.

Enjoy your trip,
Henry.[/b][/quote]

How was it all Henry? I assume we wont be seeing you on the weekend. Matt

Hi all,

I'm still in need of urgent advice on the following tracks in the Vic HC.

I would like to travel along:

1. Butcher Country Tk (it follows the Butcher Country ridge line). Is it very rocky or difficult? Butcher Country Tk starts from near The Howitt Plains carpark off Howitt Rd at the North end where I'll be coming from.

2. I'll turn off Butcher Country Tk and emerge at Calendonia River Tk where the Tk crosses the Calendonia River a number of times. Would these crossing be difficult? Does anyone know if the entry and exits are steep or deep?

3. Finally I'll head up out of the valley up Dingo Hill Tk which looks very steep before it joins up with Dingo Hill Tk. Any ideas on the steepness or difficulty?

I'm wondering if this is going to be too risky to travel on my own. There aren't any chicken routes unless I just head down the Howitt/Tamboritha Rd which isn't that much of a challenge so I would like to know before being comitted too far down Butcher Country Tk to find out I should avoid it.

So any advice on these tracks above would be most helpful.

Thanks,

Chris

When we did Butcher Country track last Feb, we were glad we didnt't take the campers, we left them at Howitt. The problem was the climb out of the valley has a couple of tricky spots which if still there will be a bit tricky (rocks and ruts) other than that it's OK. A good 4WD track.

Quote:

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Originally posted by PCH
Hi all,

I'm still in need of urgent advice on the following tracks in the Vic HC.

I would like to travel along:

1. Butcher Country Tk (it follows the Butcher Country ridge line). Is it very rocky or difficult? Butcher Country Tk starts from near The Howitt Plains carpark off Howitt Rd at the North end where I'll be coming from.

2. I'll turn off Butcher Country Tk and emerge at Calendonia River Tk where the Tk crosses the Calendonia River a number of times. Would these crossing be difficult? Does anyone know if the entry and exits are steep or deep?

3. Finally I'll head up out of the valley up Dingo Hill Tk which looks very steep before it joins up with Dingo Hill Tk. Any ideas on the steepness or difficulty?

I'm wondering if this is going to be too risky to travel on my own. There aren't any chicken routes unless I just head down the Howitt/Tamboritha Rd which isn't that much of a challenge so I would like to know before being comitted too far down Butcher Country Tk to find out I should avoid it.

So any advice on these tracks above would be most helpful.

Thanks,

Chris

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Hi Chris,

Butcher Country track is in relative good condition and should be ok to travel on your own. Like Richard says, it is steep with some interesting rocky section that you might have to step out to get the correct line but I don't see any issues for the Disco. I had two stock Patrols and a Pajero in my convoy and they were all fine. I would say avoid it if there is rain especially if you are by yourself.

The river crossings on the Caledonia track is a bit tricky. Not deep just very rocky with big bolders in a few spots. Nobody in our convoy escaped without a knock or two on the under carriage. You'll have to carefully select the right line with somebody outside the vehicle guiding you. None of the entry and exits are particularly steep or deep so no concerns there. Certainly not difficult, just take your time and you'll be ok.

Allow at least 4-5 hours to complete Butcher Country and Caledonia track, besides having to spot the line a few times you'll want to get out and enjoy the lovely vistas and a few great swimming holes on the Caledonia.

Dingo Hill track like you say is very steep but not unlike a lot of tracks in the High Country. In comparison its not as rocky so I'd give it a go if I was you. Again, best avoided during periods of rain. We went up there after a drizzle and although everything was fine I could sense a slippery mess if it gets really wet.

All in all it will be a long day in the saddle if you do the above but very rewarding. Take your time ... and enjoy.

Tip: Lookout for the wild flowers at the start of Butcher Country track.

A few pics from Butcher Country and Caledonia:

http://www.greylandy.com/Temp/vhc1.jpg

http://www.greylandy.com/Temp/vhc2.jpg

http://www.greylandy.com/Temp/vhc3.jpg

http://www.greylandy.com/Temp/vhc4.jpg

Cheers,
Henry

We did a few of the tracks in that area in our Disco alone, and found them pretty good nothing that would stop you, some are steep and rocky but good wheel placement and caution will get you there.

Oh Henry, he's not really that scarey 8O
are ya Ray https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Baz.

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Originally posted by hiline
what happened to you at Sheepyard

i was waiting and waiting to meet you https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/


oh well never mind :wink:

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Apologies Ray ... we were heading for Sheepyard but due to time restrictions made the call to do Butcher Country track and head out at Licola.

Baz, I'm sure he's not that scary but rumours tell me otherwise .. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

If Butchers is open you will have a Blast.
i did it last year in May and loved it.
Its hard, but not bad. your D3 will romp it in.
if its wet, dont do it... it has spots that would take some balls to do in the wet.

hope that helps.