Northern Toolangi + Black Range

[glitch]

(Mostly dirt) exploring roads and tracks etc. throughout the northern end of the Toolangi State Park and Black Range, a pocket I haven't spent much time yet.
Also a possible climb of the Old SEC-track (or deviation thereof, whatever) and mapping another cut-through route from Alexandra towards Glenburn/ Toolangi/Molesworth etc

Another slow-going day with lots of U-turns and the camera out to take some snaps.
No idea what to expect, if/ what roads/ tracks are open or closed, blocked, impassable etc.

So far to the basic ideas....

 

[Squizzy]

Another magnificent ride Pete, and good company with Doug as well.

Lovely morning in the Yarra Valley.






Yes, this is the best bike here, I'm sure that what he said



Marginal Rd, probably.



Meerkating again, it does help though.




Nice view along the power lines.



It did get a bit chilly up there.




When in doubt, consult the map.




And off we go.

 

[Squizzy]

I got a bit ahead at one stage and watched Pete from a distance.









Lovely views through the trees.





Lunch stop, sorry no seats, but a nice spot anyway.



They were not kidding about dry weather only, it would have been interesting in the wet. Looks nice at the top though.




Deep 4WD ruts with a nice red clay ridge down the center was ok today, but on another day would be interesting.




Another good day, early night for me I reckon, 2 rides in 3 days, glad I don't have to go to work tomorrow. Cheers Ian.

 

[glitch]

Good stuff there....I'm still sorting pics and uploading. :-(
Agree, another top day and some nice new stuff (to me).
Loved those scattered trees.... and views of the winding roads and tracks through the blackened trunks.... up on Black Range.
Thanks for the company.
What a lunchspot...and way to get there

 

[glitch]

Frosty greens,
Yering Golf Club

Yarra Valley paddocks and vineyards from the Old Toolangi-Dixons Creek Rd.

 

[dougman1]

Certainly was a nice day out. Was very cool on the way to the meet point. But was fine for most of the ride.

The sun was trying hard to get through the clouds.



Outnumbered by a couple of Suzuki’s


We called this a nice spot for lunch.


Squizzy on the DR 400

Beale Ave
Kinglake. Melbourne in the distance.


Thanks guys, It was a great day out!

 

[Squizzy]

You picked the right day Pete, Captain's Creek Rd would be really interesting today

 

[glitch]

You picked the right day Pete, Captain's Creek Rd would be really interesting today

YOU picked the Captains Creek...and it was interesting enough for me yesterday, thanks.
Today?...arghhh, fark NO!

I thought the hard bits were done just after that really steep, short bit, popping out onto that small, flat-ish/ level bit.
Never seen those 2 or 3 k's to the "waterfall"-carpark that rough and chopped up. What a skid-pan!
Looked like a bunch of 4B's spent an afternoon there digging trenches and bathtubs in that white/ yellow clay.

Won 2, lost 3

Criss Cross Rd. methinks....tying together Spraggs and Marginal Rds.

Marginal Rd., not far from Murrundindi

Things got a bit rougher and rockier (and STEEPER) up the Old SEC Rd., a scary thought to imagine log-trucks going up and down this (as per the UHF channel25 signs at the top+bottom ends)

 

[glitch]

A Yam and a Zook heading up the SEC Rd. rollercoaster towards the junction with Black Range Rd. across the top

Wherret Track, the northern most track along the edges of the Toolangi/ Black Range State Park.
That "Old Car" marking looked interesting....but only made it to WPT1 (WaterPoint1), a tiny pond/ dam alongside the steep and muddy track.

Pretty lunchspot, whooping bellbirds and all.

Boundary Rd., the northern loop getting back towards Murrundidndi ...

....and the only highway-drone of the day, not that there was much of it

Thanks to Squiz, Captains Creek was a last-second shoe-in for a route to Kinglake....and turned out a little pucker of a climb, hehe

No shit, Charly!

Bottom end of Beale Ave and the XT is "smelling home", bee-lining it towards Melbourne in the distance.

Thanks guys, it was a cracker

 

[glipschitz]

Fuck me. I need to retire. You pricks really rubbing it in I tells ya.