Lidsdale State Forest
Saturday 22nd July 2017
Participants:
Greg & Grace Paterson Pajero.
Phillip & Linda Favaloro Patrol
Matt & Alison & William Smith Discovery
Colin & Glenda Flew Ranger
Eric, Dianne & Laura Liney Rodeo
Neil & Megan Kitchener Patrol
Alex Ralston Prado
Steve & Julie Taylor Navarra
Shane & Joel Beatson Pajero
We met at Queen Elizabeth park Lithgow plus the Lineys at the white bridge on Gerrinween drive. There were nine vehicles and the weather was fine but cold! After all the paperwork Greg gave us a run down and Matt prayed for us. We headed off and I went “Tail end Charlie”. A few of us got stuck at the lights and I waited for the Lineys.
We headed off to catch up with the others. I took a short cut over a mound but Laura did not make it. (Hate that ‘ramp over’). A little push from Eric and Laura was on her way again. We caught up and Greg had deviated from the recce. This route was a tight squeeze for a while but then we were back on track.
At the end of trail was a lookout with views over Marrangaroo NP and Lidsdale State Forest. We went back via the quarry and Shane ‘played’ in a mud puddle. We stopped back at the clearing for morning tea. What a great sight all the vehicles were – lined up side by side.
After morning tea, we headed off to Lidsdale SF. This time, Laura had no problems going back over the hump and there was another hump to get into Lidsdale SF. Tail end Charlie took an easy way into Lidsdale and had to wait.
On the ‘recce’ we were stopped on our first track by some fallen trees. This time, Matt (plus chainsaw) cleared these trees for us. While the clearing was happening Greg and Phillip walked the track and did some pruning. Everyone had to take care as there was a deep rut going down the middle of the track.
At the end, we turned right and we were back on the recce trail. We then turned left. The pines were only a few years old and this better allowed us to take in the views. We were travelling alongside a small creek and black berries were everywhere so some pruning was done to stop the ‘pin striping’. We turned left to cross the creek and Matt had punctured a tyre. It was now 1.30pm and a good time for lunch. The creek was covered in ice which was about 10mm thick. Thick enough to hold some rocks.
After lunch, we headed off for our next challenge. A hill climb. Greg took the easy way while everyone else took the steeper track. The Ranger had a little trouble but made it. At the top, we turned left. Greg found some more hilly sections and the views were magnificent.
On the ‘Recce’, we went down to the Cox’s River. We decided to take a track that would join up with this track but our attempt was stopped by some large rock steps. We were following a fence line and the track was very rough. The track ahead was too rough (those rock steps) but the fence was down and the track continued on the other side but it soon came to a dead end.
We turned around and had afternoon tea at the top of the hill under the power lines. What a windy spot! A few of us checked out a track off to the side. Part of it was too rough but there was another track off this one that looked okay. Greg lead us down and we were on our way out of the forest.
We stopped near the main entrance to Lidsdale SF. Some up us aired up our tyres and Greg gathered us together and we said our goodbyes.
In summary – a great day out. See you on the next trip. – Phillip.