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Toddyh03 Profile
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Date Registered: 08-2011
Location: Lalor Park, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 1663
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Madonald Valley and Yengo National Park


Saturday 18 August we set out for an easy and scenic drive through the Macdonald Valley (following the river) and Yengo National Park. We had 3 X-trails (Twilight T31-Jeff and Leonie, White T31-Peter and Leah, Black T31-Todd and Eliza). We met at the pub at Wisemans Ferry at 8am as organised had a quick meet and greet and then set off over Wisemans Ferry
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Off the ferry we turned left towards St Albans along Settlers Road. Along here we made out first stop at the old St Albans cemetery where there is the grave of a 1st fleet convict.
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We carried on towards St Albans where we crossed the river for the first time over a single lane bridge.
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From here we followed Upper Macdonald Road north along the banks of the river crossing the river several times over various concrete or timber bridges.
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Eventually we reached a gate which signals the start of private property (still able to access the road) and the end of the bridges.
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We came across a tree over the road. Luckily it was small and was easily moved.
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Shortly after we came to our first sandy river crossing.Image


All 3 vehicles made it across with no fuss. Soft sand on the surface but it was fairly shallow to firmer stuff so no airing down of the tyres required. We carried on down the dirt track and met some of the locals. Notice the donkey 2nd from left in the 2nd photo below.
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Carrying on the landscape changed a bit and we now had ferns either side of the track. We came along to our next crossing. Again all vehicles made it across no trouble.
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More countryside and a couple of shacks as we followed the trail down to the another relatively easy crossing.
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It wasn't much further until our next crossing. This was was a little different as you couldn't see the exit from the entry point and the exit was steep, slippery and rutted. After a quick chat everyone was comfortable with having a go. So off we went.
The entry: Image

I went up and tried to avoid the ruts but slid sideways straight in. This stopped me but I managed to get the front wheels over the ruts. A bit extra effort and up I went. After being the guinea pig I was able to offer the guys some advice as to which line would be best. The video below shows Jeff getting stuck in the ruts and the 2nd video shows the successful climb.



The track did a sharp turn here and got narrow as we wound through some bush. Down to another long but relatively easy crossing, only being slightly difficult as a tree obscured the view of the exit point from the entry. After the crossing the track pretty much vanished. My notes indicated that the track continued for another 400m or so but obviously it hadn't been driven in a while and was very overgrown. So ended our trip north and we turned around and headed back to St Albans for lunch. The video below shows the return over the the last crossing.


A video of one of the crossings on the way back towards St Albans


We stopped for lunch at the Settlers Arms Inn at St Albans. Apparently the pies were good and I can vouch for the T-bone steak emoticon
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There was a couple of classic jags and some royal enfields outside the pub.
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After lunch we took off north along Wollombi Road towards Laguna. On the way we stopped at the Old Great North Road and took the short drive down to Flat Circuit Bridge. The track had some heavily eroded sections and some pretty rank puddles but we all made it with no issues.
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We headed along the tarred Great North Road and passed a couple of old convict built walls and culverts.
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Just before Laguna we turned onto Yengo Creek Road and into Yengo National Park. The asphalt road turns to a very good condition dirt track. Our first stop was the Finchley Trig Station where there are views of the entire national park.
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Next stop was Finchley Aboriginal area via a toilet stop and Finchley Camp Ground. The aboriginal area has some rock carvings of people and animals like emus. They may be difficult to see in photos.
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From here we set off towards Howes Valley Trail and Putty Road. This was the roughest track of the day and had a few steep inclines and declines but nothing that would stop an exy.
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There is one creek crossing about 1km from Putty Road.
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Through a few gates and out to Putty Road by about 4:45pm where we said our goodbyes.
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A good day was had by all. I think there were a few more small challenging sections than I anticipated but all got through successfully. Definitely recommend this trip to anyone starting out with their X-trail. If you don't have much 4x4 experience maybe take someone slightly more experienced with you to help with the semi-difficult sections.

You can see the route we took here.



Last edited by Toddyh03, 20/Aug/2012, 11:54 am


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Toddyh X-2048 (c)
New: Challenger
Old: 2010 T31 Diesel modified
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19/Aug/2012, 7:03 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
Jupitor 2 Profile
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Date Registered: 01-2009
Location: Newcastle Australia
TOTAL POSTS: 318
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Re:


Todd, it was the "few more small challenging sections" that made this a great trip, and another excellent report, I bet a few more people had wished they had come along now.

---
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19/Aug/2012, 7:49 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message
 
cooch t31 Profile
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Date Registered: 06-2008
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 5966
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Nice write up Todd and good vids.
Looks like the weather was a little better than the day before.

---
Tony X-891c

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HERE is my old 2008 T31, ST Series1

20/Aug/2012, 6:23 am Link to this post Send Private Message
 
Toddyh03 Profile
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Date Registered: 08-2011
Location: Lalor Park, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 1663
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Re: Madonald Valley and Yengo National Park


Yeah Tony the weather was pretty good. Bit cold when the clouds covered the sun but otherwise pretty good. There really is heaps to see out that way.

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Toddyh X-2048 (c)
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20/Aug/2012, 7:47 am Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
ExyJef Profile
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Date Registered: 06-2012
Location: Stanhope Gardens Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 41
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Re: Madonald Valley and Yengo National Park


Yes a great first trip for "newbies" had a great time testing the Exy and me
Regards

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Jeff X-2477 (c)
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20/Aug/2012, 12:08 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
jalalski Profile
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Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100
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Well done Todd. looks like an awesome trip and everyone had fun.

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ArthurV Profile
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Date Registered: 04-2011
Location: Raby NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 133
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Re:


Nice trip report Todd, again sorry I had to cancel.
Any thoughts on another caves to cave run or similar.
cheers,

---
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20/Aug/2012, 3:37 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
Toddyh03 Profile
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Date Registered: 08-2011
Location: Lalor Park, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 1663
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Re: Madonald Valley and Yengo National Park


Maybe something when it warms up a bit. If you want you could organise another go at this trip. You can download the track file from the link at the bottom of the report. Provided you have a good GPS unit you then should be able to just follow it. I'm sure Dave would be keen as he missed out this time around as well.

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Toddyh X-2048 (c)
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20/Aug/2012, 4:22 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
ArthurV Profile
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Date Registered: 04-2011
Location: Raby NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 133
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Re:


good idea, thanks again.

---
T30 Series 2
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20/Aug/2012, 5:10 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
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Date Registered: 05-2011
TOTAL POSTS: 130
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Re:


I wish i could have come along Todd looks like a nice drive on a nice day.

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Hazelbrook (Blue Mountains)
Ray X-1909
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20/Aug/2012, 9:51 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 


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