Date Registered: 08-2012 Location: Canberra, ACT TOTAL POSTS:479
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Mt Coree/Flea Creek 23/09/2012 (now with video) Seeing as Todd was in town, we ended up heading up to Mt Coree again over the weekend.
Early start, about 7:45am at the Cotter Reserve - we (2 x-trails and a BT-50) headed over to Blue Range Hut. During WWII, it was an internment camp for Italian POWs. We couldn't approach, as the local Scout group had hired the area, which was a shame.
After that, we pressured down, to about 25 PSI and started the climb into the Brindabellas. No pics, but video will be upload shortly.
We did take a detour of Blue Range Rd, down a random firetrail... my 5 week old x-trail now has some bush pinstripes. Why i ended up leading the group I'll never know (I have NO modifications yet). After about 2kms, ended up turning around, getting back onto the main rd through Brindabella National Park. After a few sticky situations, we got to the picnic area at the base of Mt Coree... where a VW Golf MKV was sitting there... how?!
Some more technical driving and we turned off towards the Mt Coree summit.
Ascending to Mt Coree, the view was fantastic... but it was cold and VERY windy. This is the view that greeted us.
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr
(note the powerline track - that is going to be my next challenge once day light savings kicks in)
I'm obsessed with that track
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr
Todd and Eliza on the right, with your friendly ATO audit team leader (my boss) and ATO IT jockey on the left
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr
Back towards the fire tower
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr
Brindabella valley and I think Wee Jasper in the background
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr
My boss checking out the other end of the ledge
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr
... yes thats a falcon... at the top of Mt Coree
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr
Ok... enough Mt Coree
After everyone making fun of me, i agreed to attempt Flea Creek. No photos or videos regretfully of the decent... but i have blisters from holding the steering wheel too tightly. Down hill assist was on for about 4kms of downhill. awesome fun - promised the better half to let her drive down next time we go out.
Damage at the bottom... didn't want the plastic bash plates anyway!!! Weighing me down from being too awesome
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr
Lunch time (Todd - I may have convinced the CFO to allow the purchase of the awning )
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr
Lunch spot (also the main camping area)
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr
After lunch, we went to the end of the Flea Creek picnic area... massive fail as there are awesome picnic areas further down the road. See videos when I post.
We then ascended Gentle Annie Trail back to Brindabella Rd, where we fair welled Todd and Eliza, who returned to the Hume Hwy via tumut (Todd - how was the drive, as we're heading that way this long weekend for the Wee Jasper market day? and we might go that way to Myrtleford next month). I personally couldn't believe that the x-trail had gotten back up, and was planning for a long detour (via the powerline track) home. Can't wait to get bashplates - that will remain on the car!!!
After a day of driving, a bit of dirt had accumulated (i had the car detailed about a fortnight ago)
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr
... but it was worth the view
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr
A 180 degree turnaround spot for a few nice cars (especially the RWD Suzuki Cappucino who spun himself on the dirt track)
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr
Sure there's more photos coming from Todd.
Once the video renders, I'll upload some vids.
Last edited by konazz, 25/Sep/2012, 11:41 pm
--- Michael K
2012 X-Trail Series IV Diesel TS
Member X-2600 (C)
Mods: Pedders Lift Kit, Bash Plates, 16" X-trail Steel Rims, 235/70/16 A/T Tyres, Heavy Duty shock absorbers
Date Registered: 06-2008 Location: Blue Mountains, NSW TOTAL POSTS:5966
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Re: Nice write up Michael, great photos and Todd's dogs have been to more places than I have lol.
Regretting not being able to come along as I had something on, maybe next time.
Can't wait to see the videos.
Thanks again.
edit, there are a couple of number plates that you might want to edit out.
Last edited by cooch t31, 25/Sep/2012, 6:45 am
--- Tony X-891c
HERE is my D22 Navara
HERE is my old 2008 T31, ST Series1
Date Registered: 08-2011 Location: Lalor Park, NSW TOTAL POSTS:1663
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Re: Mt Coree/Flea Creek 23/09/2012 Thanks for the invite Michael. Great day out. Well done on leading too.
I'm having photobucket isues so can't upload any photos yet. Michael's photos give you a good idea of what we experienced. I liked our lunch spot. It was nice and quiet.
The view from Mt Coree is just amazing.
I'm really glad we convinced you to have a go at the ascent from Flea Creek. Gives you a bit more of a feeling what the X-trail is capable of.
The drive out to Wee Jasper is very easy. I aired up in Brindabella Valley as although there is some rough sections after that, there is plenty of wide, open dirt to get your speed up.
Re: Looks like a good day guys
If you like the area a good day trip is Macityres?, home via Wee Jasper.
Also a bit furthur south is Tangangra dam/homestead via Namagi after Oct long wend when it is all open again. Blue waterholes if you like walking too.
Lots of great areas if you like a drive.
Date Registered: 08-2011 Location: Lalor Park, NSW TOTAL POSTS:1663
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Re: Mt Coree/Flea Creek 23/09/2012 Just found a video of Gentle Annie Trail. It's very high speed as it's on a trail bike but gives you some idea.
OK got some photos uploaded finally. This is a typical sort of track from the day
Everything up to the base of Mt Coree was simple, until we got to a muddy section and then a rutted section (sorry no photos).
Coming up Mt Coree you can still see the impact of the fires
Parked up the top
Looking down on a dumped falcon
Part of the descent to Flea Creek. The surface was super fine almost talcum powder like.
Flea Creek
Lunch spot
First Flea Creek Crossing
Second
Brindabella Valley
Top day out. The drive from Brindabella to Tumut at the end of the trip took about an hour through some state forests and was actually a nice drive in itself.
Date Registered: 08-2012 Location: Canberra, ACT TOTAL POSTS:479
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Re: Todd, the photos look good.
Such a shame my camera fogged over
Have purchased the anti-fog inserts for next time.
Going to Brindabella Valley on Sunday, and will see how the track to Wee Jasper is for the market day.
Cant wait to do Flea Creek again, and press onto Macintyres hut, and try that powerline track out.
--- Michael K
2012 X-Trail Series IV Diesel TS
Member X-2600 (C)
Mods: Pedders Lift Kit, Bash Plates, 16" X-trail Steel Rims, 235/70/16 A/T Tyres, Heavy Duty shock absorbers
Date Registered: 08-2012 Location: Canberra, ACT TOTAL POSTS:479
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Re: Love the Google earth map.... is that using your iPhone? which app did you use?
--- Michael K
2012 X-Trail Series IV Diesel TS
Member X-2600 (C)
Mods: Pedders Lift Kit, Bash Plates, 16" X-trail Steel Rims, 235/70/16 A/T Tyres, Heavy Duty shock absorbers
Date Registered: 08-2012 Location: Canberra, ACT TOTAL POSTS:479
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Re: Videos Ok... lots of videos. I've sped alot of them up by 800% (max allowed). Note: i've uploaded a few in 1080p and 720p, but you may need to look at them through youtube... 1080p takes too long to load (and I have NBN)
So from the beginning:
after pressuring down at Blue Range Hut, we climbed into Brindabella National Park via Uriarra Forest
Then we went down the random firetrail... which became a bit of a squeeze
and then a video after we u-turned... now from the back looking back at Todd... you get a feel of how tight this track was.
So a bit more driving, now through Brindabella National Park proper
until we got to a big puddle (rob used his low range for this bit). our exys didn't have any issues, being thinner and lighter.
after driving some more, we got into Mt Coree camp... for a toilet break and then attempted to get to the base of Mt Coree. Had to get through a pretty rutted area, where a friend's Captiva had serious issues getting through a few weeks ago (watch in HD - worth it). My diff left another mark (on top of the one I left there a few weeks ago)
This is the last bit of the Mt Coree ascent... where you can see the 2003 bushfire damage. Yes i did get stuck going up - wasn't in Lock mode, and has ESP on. This is another one worth watching in HD
Super fast vid of getting from Mt Coree to Brindabella rd. A bit muddy, with a few trees down, but about 1/2 through it gets nice and open with good quality fire trail
A quick tour of the flea creek camping area
and i only got about a minute of the flea creek / gentle annie trail ascent, as my battery ran out
I'll be more prepared next time, and put a mount lower on the car (just need to make sure a tree or creek won't clean the camera up... as i came a few times close to losing it)
--- Michael K
2012 X-Trail Series IV Diesel TS
Member X-2600 (C)
Mods: Pedders Lift Kit, Bash Plates, 16" X-trail Steel Rims, 235/70/16 A/T Tyres, Heavy Duty shock absorbers
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