Hit the freeway at about 5:15pm on Friday and what a bloody mistake that was. Whoever thought up that name freeway must have been laughing their socks off. As I am progressing I hear from Al on the UHF and we finally meet up near Lakes Road, somehow he managed to get in front of me on the drive down. An uneventful drive up to Dwellingup and then into the Baden Powell Camping area to setup camp for the weekend. Paul was already there and had been for a few hours.
A fair bit of story telling ensued that night before AB finally arrived for more story telling and the odd drink or 3 before the rain set in and it was time to hit the hay.
Up early the next morning we hit the road by 8am and were off on a leisurely drive to Lake Dumbleyung but a B Double had other ideas about that and proceeded to slow us down some what. After finally being able to over take said B Double and getting everyone else around him we continued on our merry way. Short stop in Wagin to grab a coffee and a bite to eat before getting to Lake Dumbleyung around 11am.
Arriving at the Lake
View from the Lookout
Fastest man on earth
Southwest Broadcasting Station
So after a brief stop in Williams for a top up of the tanks and some lunch it was time to find something that didn't involve black top driving. After driving along the Harvey Quindanning road for what seemed like an eternity and I swear they must have put more bitumen down since I last drove it. I found the elusive camping area I stayed at previously a number of years ago, unfortunately with the fires that have been through the area a lot of the tracks where blocked by fallen trees. Back out onto the Harvey Quindanning road towards the Hoffmans Mill camp-site for a brief look around.
I had a "beachy" moment when leaving Hoffmans Mill and "should have zigged when instead I zagged" after correcting my momentary geographical embarrassment it was back to the Baden Powell camp-site via Nanga Road for a few more drinks and stories before an early night.
Having awoken to find I had lost someone during the night due to a soaking wet swag and sleeping bag it was time to packup camp and wait for Dave to arrive.
The days plan was to attack the Fawcett track as it had some good reviews online however I noticed the evening before it looked like it had been recently graded. Unfortunately I wasn't wrong and as we pulled onto the Fawcett track to air down it was as flat as a tack. A few ks in I spotted a track to the left that looked more promising so we turned down there and with a few tight turns we were away. A few points of interest were encountered otherwise this track wasn't that difficult either, it also took us all the way back out to Nanga road. Back down the Fawcett track did I mention it was flat? Got to an intersection indicating the track continued to the right but the one straight ahead seemed like it would be more interesting.
Dave after being rescued
A bridge had been washed away in the rain in February and was under construction leaving a tempting small creek crossing with a short steep incline on the other side. Yours truly got up on the 2nd attempt then proceeded to snatch Dave whose tyres were just spinning on the clay. Dave then proceeded to act as a winch anchor for Al who forgot to activate his winch in switch and was instead using the loud pedal
Dave acting as winch anchor
AB decided that he had seen enough and (perhaps wisely) chose to continue back to the Fawcett track and keep going. So that left 3 cars to continue on and after a couple of attempts at side tracks none which went anywhere we stuck to the main track that we were on. Found a great little spot on the banks of the Murray which then proceeded to attack me with Blackberry bushes.
A lunch stop at the Nanga Mill camp-site where Al decided it was time to air up and get himself organised for the week. Dave and I went for brief drive on the northern side of the Murray to see what we could find before also airing up and heading home.
Thanks to all that attended hopefully we can find some more interesting tracks on our next venture to the area.
