After meeting at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery for breakfast and coffee, (opened at 9 AM and very busy), from Yarra Glen we drove north along the Melba Hwy towards Kinglake National Park. The dirt started at Boggy Creek Rd where some logging had occurred, the soil a crimson and bright red colour, so some gravel and rocks had been laid on the road for the logging trucks. A short run up Mt Robertson Rd into Gum Creek Tk and that was when 4WD was selected. While the track was not particularly wet there seemed to be a bog hole of various depths and difficulties every 200 metres. Maybe they never dry out. Many of these were heavily rutted but we were initially diligent at stopping to check the depths and best lines. We had a narrow squeeze past a ute stuck on the track with a broken tie rod. They had a fire going to heat a rod for a trackside repair. But he was with a few others and they seemed have it in control so we rolled on. We saw them driving out as we were leaving.
Gum Creek Track
While there was a small delay back in the convoy, the trip leader pushed ahead making an incorrect call on the depth of a rut in a large bog. Luckily no water got in and shortly back underway with a now slightly concerned passenger.
A short decent into a creek crossing and a sharp, muddy corner exit to a very steep and rocky and rutted climb out. This led to about 3 km of steep climbs and rutted, uneven descents. All the vehicles had low range and completed the climbs with a little in reserve and engine braking on the descents. Lunch was near Mt Robertson in a car park to unload trail bikes. From there it was a short drive and a -28-
