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PAULS RANGE SF, TOOLANGI SF & BLACK RANGE SF SCOUTING
Four of us went to scout out a route in the Black Range. The area has been affected by bush fires, thus it was uncertain which tracks remained opened. We met up in Yarra Glen before proceeding into Pauls Range State Forest. It was a dry day with dry tracks, which made it possible for us to climb the steep tracks with deep spoon drains.
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After leaving Pauls Range, we went to tackle the SES Track in Toolangi State Forest. However, the entrance we had planed to use was gated shut and we had to find an alternative route. We came across Pines Tk, where three heavily modified 4WDs were in the process of turning around. We stopped and had a chat, with them telling us how difficult Pines Tk was and how they decided to turn around after not being able to make it through the first obstacle. We inspected the obstacle, chuckled, while watching them depart before promptly saddling up and drove up Pines Tk.
After climbing up Pines Tk, we came to a creek crossing with the track blocked by three other 4WDs including a new Jeep Rubicon. The other drivers were concerned that the creek might be too deep for them to cross safely. They were more than happy for us to venture across first. Given it was only slightly more than ankle deep with a firm rock base, we simply drove through and on.
Eventually we were able to re-join back onto SES Tk. It was a very scenic drive with some challenging sections. However, before we reached the end of the track we were again met by closed gates and had to reroute. After finding our way out of Toolangi SF, we ventured through Black Range SF to get to Buxton where Rick and and Jackie left us for home. The rest of us had a rest stop at the Buxton Burgers before driving back to Melbourne for a group dinner in Ringwood East at a restaurant Keong knew well.
Overall, the trip went very well. The tracks would be rated as Medium-Difficult in the dry, and Difficult-Very Difficult (winching) in the wet.
Trip Participants Vehicle
Les with daughters Rodeo Dual Cab Keong Y Toyota FJ Cruiser
Rick and Jackie L-Series Samantha and Dan Toyota FJ Cruiser(Trip Leader)
