All up we had 12 people and 8 cars. The cars consisted of: 1 BT50, 1 PX Ranger, 2 PJ Rangers & 4 PK Rangers.
As stated we made Pineapple Flat our home for the weekend (the week really as some went up at different times during the week) which turned out to be a great little spot. Plenty of shade on those hot days we had and also right on the King River which was great to have a dip in after a dusty days' drive.
We had a few routes set out but never got to do them all as we changed a few things along the way. the 3 of us that arrived early set out on the Friday from camp and headed off down King Basin Rd for King River Hut which included I think it was 4 or 5 river crossings along the way. After stopping at the hut we then proceeded along Speculation Rd onto Circuit Rd and up to Craigs Hut where we stopped for a bite to eat before leaving via Circuit Rd then onto Black Landing Rd and back to camp.
Come Saturday after everyone had arrived we decided on the Lake Cobbler route. This route entailed leaving camp along King Basin Rd again (and the river crossings) up to King River Hut again where we stopped to get some photos of the whole group (with the exception of the 2 blokes that had to leave early Sat morning for a wedding). We then continued on to Speculation Rd then Cobbler Lake Track towards Lake Cobbler. This was a good rough track and had a nice little deep rocky detour through one of the creeks beside the bridge, it was just a shame that "The Staircase" had been graded and had turned into more of a "Rocky Rd". We continued on to Lake Cobbler for a bite to eat before heading back down Little Cobbler Track and on to Speculation Rd to Circuit Rd and up to Bindaree Rd where we went down to see Bindaree Falls.
The Falls were flowing ok, not like a torrent but not like a dribble either; was a good sight to see, and being able to get in behind the falls was great and put a whole new perspective on it.
After seeing the falls we continued back along Bindaree Rd crossing Circuit Rd straight onto Monument Track where we scrambled (and I do mean scrambled, this track was steep and rocky. A great track to drive for that bit of addrenalin) across to Clear Hills Track and back up to Craigs Hut for another look and a quick bite before heading back to camp via Circuit rd and Black Landing Rd.
Come Sunday we all decided to head off as some had to work the next day, some had been there all week (since Monday) and some of us just wanted to beat the forecast storms for that afternoon. So after a great weekend spent catching up with some old and new friends, talking ***** around some great fires at night and doing some great driving during the day 3 of the cars headed off towards Frankston where 2 continued and the father & son team consisting of James & Peter that came over from Tasmania turned off and headed for the boat to cross the ditch back home. Two of the other cars packed up and were going to head home via the tracks for some more wheeling, and the trip organizer and myself headed back together stopping a few time along the way for a bite to eat and a cold drink.
It's a shame that some people couldn't make it or had to pull out for different reasons as it's always great to meet new people and discuss and compare our chosen make of vehicle. BUT! Being the "annual" Victorian Ranger & BT50 meet just means that there'll be another one next year, so keep your eyes open for that one you blokes
