Julimar rd and surrounds- WA

[BushyD22]

Yonk and I did a trip yesterday that goes in and out of the Avon np and the Julimar conservation area with some very easy and relaxing tracks and gravel roads to some harder muddy climbs,and descents. theres not really a particular route to follow because as you cross Julimar rd into the conservation area there are a heap of tracks to take and explore.

Our trip got cut short because of a dead alternator on my ute and my camera battery died early on in the morning so there isn't alot of pictures.

A good family trip I would think as there is an easy way through everything, just keep to the formed tracks already there as it looks a good chance to remain open to public and there are designated camping areas with composting toilets, park benches and fire rings.

Heaps of wildlife around aswell. Emus and kangaroos are in abundance.

A link to the general area. Julimar is just to the north of the np.
Google Maps (http://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&ll=-31.565665,116.201019&spn=0.394323,0.614548&t=h&z=11)

[willy08]

looks good bushy i might have to go explore that area next week looks like a nice little place to go exploring

[BushyD22]

i will probably head back out there for the weekend aswell. some good mud holes last winter that we didn't make it to this time. and its 30 minutes from joondalup.

[Yonk]

Avon Trip
Bushy's Julimar Trip with Yonk
We arranged to meet Bushy in a Bullsbrook car park at 7:15 ish AM because we were both coming from different parts of the city and we wanted to have plenty of daylight in front of us.
We got up at 5 and got ready, I had some Golden Circle juice containers in the freezer that were now drinkable Ice blocks.
Since the manufacturers of the plastic drink bottles and milk bottles specifically warn that they are not made of a stable safe plastic to freeze and unfreeze, I never drink from them unless I can't avoid it, yet I am comfortable with the rectangular aluminium/cardboard ones. Go figure. One day down the track they'll announce some grave news abouut that too, I suppose.
I'll worry about that then.
I packed some sliced lamb in a sealable container and a loaf of wholemeal, some instant coffee and tea, thermos and I thought we pretty much had it covered. We don't have a fridge yet and use a cooler bag. We headed out into the drizzle in 'Elvis', I sent Bushy a text to say "Elvis has left the building" so our new friend knew we weren't still in bed.
Had a pretty good run, traffic wise, until we got behind a long line of cars trailing a truck doing 40k's in an 80-100 zone, but it was a chance to take in the diamond drizzled vineyards of the Swan valley, you have to set the right attitude on trips, don't you?
Bushy was parked right where he said he would be when we pulled in, always a good sign.
We had a chat about the roads and the days plans, and when he learned that I had only bought 'Elvis' 10 days ago he whistled silently and his eyebrows went up as he looked at the ground imagining the problems he may have. Wisely, he asked a little desperately "It isn't your first fourby, is it?"
I knew I was going to get along with this bloke straight away, the perfect second question. I haven't been 4wding in decades, but was raised driving them up north and they were very primitive compared to the gadgets and power in 4wd's these days, so I am a beginner in one sense.
I looked over Bushies Navara and was impressed, he has it fitted out pretty good.
Huge storage toolbox in the tray, spare and fridge all tied in well.
We put our container of lamb in his fridge, never dreaming of what Bushy will go through to swipe a box of roast lamb for himself, a lesson to remember!


We headed out on the tarmac and pretty soon we were driving through the great Aussie bush. Thinly tree'd with those caramel trunked gum trees with the matt olive leaves, blackboys and potholes, emu taking the chance to show off by staying ahead of us as we lazily drove behind it enjoying the company for a bit.
All was well till it started to rain a bit heavier, we hit the window button and realized we had a problem.
We called over the CB and stopped. Blown fuse!
Bushy had the problem licked in a minute, he used 30 amp wire and got the windows up so we wouldn't have to get wet.
At this point none of us had any idea just how wet one of us was going to get!

We meandered down some bush tracks, enjoyed the eucalyptus air and plunged through some mud holes as we descended into a valley.
We stopped and Bushy asked a few more searching questions about our comfort level, and reassured, he headed us onto a steep rutted treacherous clay slide, a slide with the occasional camber off to a steep drop on one side.
He went first, and I watched very closely.
In second low, the engine walked his Navara down and the engine compression braking was causing it to slide downward often as it was slippery, very slippery clay.
I decided to use 1st high, as my gearing is very low.
It went smoothly, if you can say that about bouncing in and out of deep ruts and planting it to churn away from the edge. A lot of fun, but then I found out the bad news.
We had to get back up it!
Bushy told me with a cheeky grin, and I was half excited and half worried.
Tyres deflated to 20, we pointed back uphill after a great break near a fast foam flecked river. At the base, Bushy started up in 2nd low and the Navara walked it without missing a beat.He even stayed away from the edge all the way up!
Chicken.
When it was time to see what Elvis could do, I again decided on 1st high.
We powered up to the first bend and at the bulge in the track we lost traction and soon were slipping and spinning, until we went backwards toward the edge!
With some blood rushing through me and a firm butt cheek bite on the sheepskin I bought it back a little and managed to get us stationary while I took this surprising event in.
Why was I having trouble here?
I suddenly realized I had forgotten these new fangled modern 4wd's have electric switches, not just the mechanical stick shifts!
You guessed it.
Buggaluggs hadn't engaged the central differential!
Bushy stood on the bend, recording my embarrassment and laughing, shaking his head as we now kicked off with an altogether different result.
Clay flew from the lugs and Elvis clawed up and over everything with ease, we just piloted the truck upward, even having the confidence to stop on a slope while Bushy got his camera set for the finish.
What a climb, bloody brilliant fun.
And Elvis had a few more fans for now the missus and I were in love with it.
We wandered through bush tracks and saw lots of wildlife, plenty of roo's and birds, enjoyed walking the trucks over some rock steps and finally came to a pretty strong running river crossing.
Bushy had done it before, and was keen to do it.
He readied his vehicle, connecting the strap out into the rear tray in case, and bravely drove down into the fast flowing stream.
A little too fast flowing.
As he was at the last quarter of the crossing he hit the fast current and discovered it had cut a channel in the river bottom, and like all rivers do, it had changed dramatically under the surface while looking the same on top.
Suddenly the Navara nose plunged down, and as soon as the back of the vehicle reached that depth the Navara became a boat.
The tail floated downstream and we thought he was gone, for all money.
The front lockers, bless 'em, found a toe purchase as he floated backward downstream, and grittily dug itself up onto some firmer river bottom, and relief as the gutsy little Navara just kept pulling until the rear wheels caught and suddenly he was clambering up the far bank, and not stopping till he was 15 metres away from the river, and who could blame him?
Water poured out of the tray, but not enough to wash our troubles away.
I sat there thinking, "geez, the efforts he is making to nick our lunch, you just have to respect it ".
The problem was the access out seemed too tricky, which meant a return swim.
No way I was trying that with Elvis!
We spent some time getting Elvis anchored against a tree belaying the winch and straps, Bushy having to swim the fast river with a rope. He says he wasn't scared but when he hit that fast channel and was swept downstream I noticed his stroke rate increased to that of a threshing machine and water jets spiked high around him. Lookout Michael Phelps.
Great memories as Bushy wades in to swim back, our brave dog wades in determinedly to accompany him and had to be yelled at to get her to come back.
After discovering the river was so fast it was pulling the straps downstream, desperation motivated Bushy to seek a way out on the other side.
Yep, we told Bushy not to worry about us, we told him to do what he had to.
And he did. We watched as he drove out and we looked at each other, lost in the bush without a clue about the tracks out.
I confidently told my missus that it was fine because I could track our tyre marks and know which turn to take. Worked well too, until we got to an intersection with our tracks both left AND right.
At that point, our Telstra signal cut in and we got in touch with Bushy for the right direction and that was the only time we got reception all day!
Just as well, I was going to take the left and it was a right. Don't tell the missus!
We enjoyed our lone exit and the bush, and met up with Bushy in Toodyay, and stayed with him while he waited for some news on his alternator, which protested it's water immersion by sh1tting itself. We made coffee's and stirred Bushy about nicking our lamb, made up same sandwiches for all of us and had a good yack.
Tyres inflated and a tipper organized, we each headed home well satisfied with the experience gained, and my wife and I look forward to meeting Bushy again for some more adventures.
Top day, top bloke and we left noone behind!

[Yonk]

Before anyone razzes me about no pics, my camera is away on a warranty issue and the few I have I'll post when I get the camera back.
Only got a couple and please don't expect much!

[Greg 80series]

Hi Buck
Mate you could make story tellin an art form.
Great write up on your trip, glad you guys had a good day out.
And just as well you mentioned about the camera as I was gunna say something about the lack of evidence, lol.
Looking forward to meeting you if you can come along on sunday mate
Jigsaw. :truck: :thumb:

[Yonk]

Jigsaw, that is my intention, to take people on the trip with us and I reckon it is an art form isn't it?
Some people can just do it, for me it is a lot of hard work and writing it a dozen times, but if it gets a bit of appreciation then it motivates you to do it again.
The camera was fine and when I tried to connect it to the computer the cable wouldn't go in.
It didnt get a knock or dirty, I don't know what happened.
I haven't figured out how to upload yet either. I'll get there eventually.
Can't tell you how much I would love to come on Sunday, but don't think I can make it.
You all have a great time!
Love the vids by the way!

[BushyD22]

thats definitely a top yarn there yonk. i'm sure the water was moving faster coming back across, well it was moving fast enough to clean my undies. the video of it was good so i can't wait till you get it up on the thread.

[BushyD22]

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp249/bella8tai/4wd/th_P9150016.jpg (http://s416.photobucket.com/albums/pp249/bella8tai/4wd/?action=view&current=P9150016.flv)
yonk without the centre locked.

[BushyD22]

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp249/bella8tai/4wd/th_P9150017.jpg (http://s416.photobucket.com/albums/pp249/bella8tai/4wd/?action=view&current=P9150017.flv)
first section with the button and 6.5l of turbo diesel.

[BushyD22]

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp249/bella8tai/4wd/th_P9150018.jpg (http://s416.photobucket.com/albums/pp249/bella8tai/4wd/?action=view&current=P9150018.flv)
end section. hear that lovely v8 turbo diesel sound. i wanna squeeze one into the nav.

[Yonk]

The links aren't working for me.
:cry:

[honestcozzie]

Good write up Yonk thanks for sharing, ya would have driven past my joint I live on Julimar Road

[Yonk]

Good write up Yonk thanks for sharing, ya would have driven past my joint I live on Julimar Road

Would have dropped in for a cuppa if we knew!
Great spot up there.
Hey, did the links work for you, is it just me that can't get them working?:crazy:

[honestcozzie]

Would have dropped in for a cuppa if we knew!
Great spot up there.
Hey, did the links work for you, is it just me that can't get them working?:crazy:
Anytime mate, the links just opened photobuckets home page

[BushyD22]

try that guys. they should work now.

[Greg 80series]

Hey bushy
Nice camera work there mate, but would love to see the one of ya nissan floating down stream when you went with Yonks.
Should tee up for a run some time.
Jigsaw

[Yonk]

Bump

[BushyD22]

yonk have you got those vids sorted yet???

[skooter]

Wow I hope someone from the mag reads this and gives Yonk a job. There is a severe lack of WA material in the mag. Great story!

[davoee]

Wow I hope someone from the mag reads this and gives Yonk a job. There is a severe lack of WA material in the mag. Great story!

despite in Perth you can be on a very remote track in less than a day
- far more remote than places like the canning or simpson where you might "only" see 5 people a day


just an example

Overlander 4WD :: View topic - Yellowdine to Rowles Lagoon (http://forums.overlander.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=61651&highlight)=

[Yonk]

yonk have you got those vids sorted yet???

Bushy, you wouldn't believe it!
My still picture camera just got back from the warranty place so I can post the stills, but our Sony piece of sh!t expensive video pooped itself for the 3rd time last Saturday.
We don't use it often so it sh!ts me to tears that it is always breaking down.
Be patient.
I'll try get the stills up, but they aren't much to look at.
Fingers crossed with the sony, I won't be fixing it again if it is expensive, I can tell you that.
Sorry buddy.
That was good footage of the river crossing. I wonder if someone has a cam that could get it up for you maybe<dunno>

[Yonk]

Hey, just noticed the compliment Skooter/davoee!
Thanks a million guys, but I won't be holding my breath.
Things like that just don't happen to me.

[patrol1978]

I agree, that there is bugger all about Western Australia. Roothy spent some time here hanging out, I think it added up to about 20mins (please dont qoute me) on the DVD. Mabye if us West Ozzies kick up a fuss the mag might listen.

[Aaron Schubert]

I'm really interested to know where this actually is. Can you give some road names for where you turn off? I'd like to check this out.

Aaron

[60's Cruiserboy]

Hey guys just got my 4wd back on the road, so keen on doing some 4wding once again

[pavadrin]

Wow I hope someone from the mag reads this and gives Yonk a job. There is a severe lack of WA material in the mag. Great story!

good call mate

[plumb]

top write up mate .no idea where u talken about but i had pictures in my mind of what it looked like.top effort

[Yonk]

:D:thumb::oGeez, thanks guys!

[madmacca]

cool write up Yonk
there are some good tracks in that neck of the woods
we used to have 1600 acres at the chittering road end of julimar rd


thoughts also go to anyone affected by the fires in toodyay

Lance