Mundaring in the Wet - Powerlines

Will we or won’t we run the trip because of the weather The weather forecast was spot on and unfortunately it did rain almost all day. We started the day with a brief and short trip meeting as it was already raining; even filling in a trip sheet was a challenge.

Most people dropped tyre pressure before we began. As you do on the powerline, some people had to drive in the offset wombat holes as preparation for what was to come. The challenge was enjoyed.

I chose a short track that was narrow. Fold your mirrors in! Some people would suggest it a was a trail bike track however the GU and everyone else were able to fit between various trees.

The next section was a challenging slightly up hill well defined track with large rocks, soft clay banks and deep ruts.

Plus, some funky angles. Spotters at various places were helpful. Nick needed a little assistance to get off a rock. And we crossed the first stream.

Yes, it was only a trickle across the road but do not ignore small beginnings. Our next challenge was long uphill section of well-defined track with some big holes. Due to the weather, we took a chicken track as I was concerned that we could have spent considerable time crossing that part of the track and we didn’t want a major recovery.

The weather cleared so we had time to get out of our vehicles, chat with the visitors and make a coffee before it started raining again. In the parts the ground was already soaked and squishy underfoot. The pies in the pie warmers were smelling good and those of us without pie warmers were a little envious.

As the rain returned, we scrambled back into our vehicles wound our way up to an overgrown part of the track that was likened to a car wash. The she oak trees had long thin leaves that drooped and dripped with water. With the window open to enjoy the bush smells, Diane had a face wash when the leaves brushed past. The car wash photo below would fit here.

The next downhill section began with an inconveniently placed rock. While most decided to avoid it, Gary tried over but ended up parked on the rock. Gary was quick to set up the winch.

and with a little help from friends was soon bumping downwards again.

Further down the track, lurking among the mud was another rock. The mud had become deep and slippery and as walked we struggled to stay upright. I was using the bushes on the side of the track to move around. This time it was Simon’s turn to bottom out. Diane took a great shot of rock and wheels off the dirt

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A tug, then a bigger tug and he was free. Rolling free and unstoppable in the mud. Oops! See mud photo below.

Meanwhile further down the track, Don, Conor and Hannah were busy clearing a fallen tree. When we had done the reci a fortnight earlier we had cut a number of trees, so this was a recent fall. This tree was too big to drag away and driving around it was not a possibility, so out with the chain saw.

Over a muddy, smelly creek and up another motorcycle trail. Not quite as tight as the first motorcycle trail. At the top it was decided to call it a day, the driving had been intense and we were rather damp even through raincoats. On the way back to the bitumen there were plenty of puddles to splash through.

Time to pump up tyres, in the pouring rain of course, and to head off to Dome, for some shelter and for coffee and hot food.

Thanks to everyone for braving the weather; we enjoyed the challenges and your company.

Don and Jane