Land Cruiser Mountain Park 2013

[Presto]

LCMP 2013!

Despite a huge push, including a full day with Grimace (highly recommended), and some late nights, the Defender wasn't ready, so we reluctantly head off in the D3. At least it's good at towing and comfort!

Running as late as us, Grimace met up at the services on the Bruce Highway on Friday night and after some macca's we set off again. A quick fuel stop in Kilcoy, and we got to LCMP in reasonable time to find the office still open!

The weather was fairly kind to us, although very cold on the Friday night. It was the first camping trip for Optimus Prime (my youngest - aka Alistair), but even in the cold, he was well behaved! He was so well rugged up the first night that couldn't move his arms to suck his thumb, but still seemed happy! The middle child (Oliver) however, woke up the entire camp site when we turned up at our usual 10pm and started the 2 hour setup of the tent mahal.

.....Sorry Roger & son!! (they copt it big time as was asleep when we arrived!)

Once setup, I enjoyed a beer around the superb fire prepared earlier by Dave (Busman) & George. In his usual style, Grimace took 2.3 seconds to setup and was already enjoying/creating the banter around the fire. I think got to bed around 2am!

The first morning was a fairly late start (mostly due to Mel) with some itching to get going! We left camp around 9:15 and I led everyone towards TROOPIE TRAIL. There's a nice little downhill section on this track to get everyone warmed up. Nothing too exciting, but enjoyable all the same!
I then decided to divert up the SAHARA SIDE TRACK, which had a simple climb. This connected up to TARAGO TRIAL where we met up with Busman who had gone for a quick run to the office (I think?).
From here we head down to the start of CLAW GORGE, where I tried to drown the D3! Poor line choice had me trying to climb some rocks to get out of the water, but without enough clearance, I found myself backing into deeper water, trying to keep the air intake as high as possible (no snorkel!). A damp drivers side carpet later, and we found the best line was through the middle of the water where it was at least level! The first situation of many where I wish I had the defender! I held the group up a little there, so once we'd finished the rest of the Gorge we head back to camp for lunch.

In the afternoon, the groups split with Grimace leading Dave & George off to do some more difficult tracks (more from Grimace on this later), and I led Roger & Jason on a tour of the park! We went right around the top loop on DAIPER ROAD right the way around to KING ROAD and then diverted up IRONPOT ROAD (spelt IORNPOT ROAD on one of the signs!!). This led us back to the junction with TARAGO TRIAL which we took to get back to camp. There was nothing too testing, but a very enjoyable run!

The following morning, Roger & Dave packed up as they had to head home. We left camp late morning with the plan to take a look at some of the top tracks. Grimace was confident we could get the D3 through the top test track, and I was willing to give it a go! We got half way along the track with very few issues (just some spotting to make sure there were no stupid mistakes). We all got down the first steep/rough section (top left hand squiggle on the map). At this point some Patrols came past us and could be heard revving hard, so Grimace went off ahead to check the terrain. He returned with the verdict that the D3 should turn back! ...there was a creek run section ahead which could cause damage, so I agreed and we head back. Jason kindly agreed to escort me, and our first challenge would be to get back up the 'squiggle'! Not an easy task it seemed, as Jason, going first, found that his D2 continued to torque up and could not get enough grip to get up the first section to bring the nose down. He was very pleased to rig up his winch (first use!) and test it out. It worked perfectly and the D2 was the other side of the squiggle! Having watched the D2 struggle and the lack of winch on the D3, I requested that we attached a strap as a safety precaution whilst I tried to drive up. Once setup around a tree and the weight of Grimace and Jason o the other end, the D3 drove straight up and made the strap look like a complete waste of time! Ground clearance it may not have, but it can be a very impressive car at times!

Still wish I'd taken the Defender!

With the group split again, Jason and I head down the BUDDERA BYPASS and found that the map was a little misleading in that area. We eventually found our way back to FOURBY's FREEWAY and head back to camp.

Jason then started packing up to head home, while we had lunch. In the afternoon, I jumped in with Grimace and George followed us through my favorite track in the park - CRUISER CANYON! I was a little disappointed to see that there was very little water in the creek which was easily 12" deep went we went through last year. It was still a great drive and impressive to experience Fluffy in action!

No Grimace, I don't want a Rangie now.......
Wish I'd taken the Defender!

Sorry for the lack of pics!

Thanks all for attending, I hope you had an enjoyable weekend!

[Grimace]

First up, thank you to Grant for leading yet another relaxing LCMP trip.
The travel to and from the park was enjoyable, even if the trip home hit temps of up to 38 degrees!

As Grant has pointed out we were late arrivals on the Friday night and thank fully the fire was well under way as the chill factor was high that night!

The small group I lead on the second run on Saturday saw Myself, George (with his good mate Tibor as passenger), & Dave (Busman) hit Prado Parade which begins pretty much at the top of our camp site at Cowah Falls.
This is a moderate climb that has slight wombat holes with loose shale rock.
Which all conquered easily.

From here we proceeded to our right, down Timberjack hill, this has many options during the decent some with large wombat holes. Again nothing that the Landys could not handle.

Now our aim was to get to the Lower Test Track, so we headed for Camp Road. Which we found closed after the very first red section heading down from Diaper road, so we had to turn around. I decided to give the main middle run up camp road a shot and Fluffy did it rather easy (video below). I'd like to thank Summit for the great tyres

So in a hurry to get to the top test track we head back along Diaper Road to head down Tarago Trail and then onto Iron Pot Road. Finally reaching the start of the lower test track.

It was not to far into this track that my memory started to return and I remembered the track from the previous years trip.
This track is not overly difficult, but it does demand some technical driving and in some spots the line you take can be the difference between crawling without issue or getting well hung up.
It has a heap of differing terrain, from sanding creek beds, to rocks beds, wombat climbs & descents, water crossings, grassed climbs, big drops into the creek etc etc.

We all did very well, and made it through unharmed. Busman in particular drove the D2 to it's absolute best, negotiating some air time, avoided diff to rock contact and keeping all the panels straight. I hate to say it but I think the D2 is better then the Camel

We stop toward the end of the test track to share some bromance and just reflect on what the park had to offer that day. Was a good laugh, think we might have convinced Tibor to trade in his Toyota for a Land Rover

From here we hit the green trails back to camp for another night of giggles.

Attached is some photos that Tibor took of Dave and George on the test track along with two videos of Fluffy. Sorry they are links via Tibors facebook, not sure how to rip them over to host privately.

Camp Road;
https://www.facebook.com/video/embed...00748277604580

Some mud and a bit of numbers required ;
https://www.facebook.com/video/embed...00748687414825

Stay tuned tomorrow for the Sunday report

[Sparky71]

We had a great weekend , the park is fantastic ,all be it some of the tracks are not marked well , some are actually not marked at all , but that does not diminish the park at all .thanks to those who came, i dont quite understand the low number that turned up for the weekend as the park is excellent ,terrific mix of tracks for all capabilities. As Grant has posted I was excited to try out my winch , especially since I had installed it myself including modifying the arb non winch bar to make it fit , and yes it worked a treat . My d2 continues to impress with how easy it drives most tracks , and Grants d3, sorry Mels d3 was incredibly impressive for a standard vehicle , although I dont quite understand why Mel didnt want Grant to take it to the pig pen. I dont think Grimaces car impresses any one any more as we have all become accustomed to Grimace just driving every track as though hes out for bread and milk. Thanks to all who came and I will look forward to attending next year.
ps it was good to see Roger was very happy with his new mud tyres and George and Dave both seem to have their cars working great.

[Ralph1Malph]

As said previously, I thoroughly enjoyed myself! Best of all, my 16yo lad did as well. He turned out to be a pretty good navigator, following all the twists and turns on the park map, alerting me all the upcoming trouble spots.
As Jason said, I was chuffed with my new muddies as I was mighty sick of losing traction on the slightest incline and sliding off rocks for no reason with my well worn ATs.
It was actually my first time to LCMP, but I'll be back. Next time I'll have my winch and sliders fitted so looking forward to some of the more challenging areas.
Thanks to Grant for leading us around the park and Mel for letting him take the Disco.
Ralph