Mt Airlie, Sat 26th April

[myall]

Access was granted without issue (2 weeks without rain).

Whilst airing down a couple bigger 4wd's turn up and start telling me how I won't be able to do the track and how I'll need assistance to get through the hard stuff. "You'll know it when you'll see it and turn around". I just queried them for directions as that's ALL I NEED. I'll decide what I can and cannot do!

I checked out the first view which was graded and in some parts graveled. Nice view on top...

Next I proceeded down the "Jurassic Park" track which is the one everyone posts about online. It traverses through the valley so is wet and washed out in sections.

After following the valley for a while it starts an ascent and gets harder.

This is the point I'm apparently meant to turn around because it's not possible to do when alone, or with my car for that matter... whoops...

Unfortunately I did have to stop at that big step up, due to a terrible grinding noise. I'd heard the noise before but figured it was just my new tyres rubbing. On this occasion my tyres weren't spinning so I feared for the transmission, parked the car, and walked a little further on foot. Here's what I saw...

Turned around and drove back down...

Following that I checked out "The Grotto", which is a very short drive and easily accessible by any 4wd.

 

[myall]

Here's a short clip of the noise when climbing the step up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om1FT1CObrk

 

[Jaye]

Nice trip report and photos. Would love to head out there one day. Yesterday wasn't the day though, pitty.

 

[Split pin]

Its a great area to visit. yes there are some very difficult tracks. Where you stopped and turned around is the start of the real bad washed away track. it does get a lot worse the further up you go. But the view is absolutely worth it though.

 

[Torrie 72]

Awesome

Hey Glen, that track looks awesome! Would have loved to be there. Definitely have to check it out one day. Love the vegetation too.

Cheers, Ben.

 

[createfuture9]

The view track looks so amazing and difficult for only one car. Is it in the blue mountain region?

 

[Campin40]

Here's a short clip of the noise when climbing the step up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om1FT1CObrk

That sounds nasty, did ya find out what it was?

 

[myall]

Its a great area to visit. yes there are some very difficult tracks. Where you stopped and turned around is the start of the real bad washed away track. it does get a lot worse the further up you go. But the view is absolutely worth it though.

Wow, hard to imagine that it gets worse!! I thought by that point it's up on the plateau so should get easier.

The view track looks so amazing and difficult for only one car. Is it in the blue mountain region?

Yep, western side of the Blue Mountains.

That sounds nasty, did ya find out what it was?

Engine mount - the chassis bracket tore apart:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DDySlhr2S4

Between the supercharger and 4.88 diff ratios there's too much torque!! (575nm @ 4 wheels)

 

[cloughcarib]

Thanks for the report and especially the pics.

I love Mt Airlie and have only made it to the end in the passenger side of an 80s courtesy of Rob.

Haven't been there for a few years now though.

The grotto is an amazing exploration trek isn't it? Did you happen to check out the state of the campsites?

 

[JonoGQ]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Split pin View Post
Its a great area to visit. yes there are some very difficult tracks. Where you stopped and turned around is the start of the real bad washed away track. it does get a lot worse the further up you go. But the view is absolutely worth it though.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Myall View Post
Wow, hard to imagine that it gets worse!! I thought by that point it's up on the plateau so should get easier.

I didn't think it got any worse. Would be no worse than what you done. & that wasn't that bad I thought.

 

[Big Rig]

Can anyone tell me where to find this drive. I am in Wollongong at the moment but would like to check it out before I get home to Brisbane on the weekend

 

[Les PK Ranger]

https://www.google.com/maps/place/M...a0547a!8m2!3d-33.1034406!4d150.027638!5m1!1e4

 

[Les PK Ranger]

A more detailed map https://mapcarta.com/28675670

 

[Big Rig]

Cool thanks. After all of the hype I thought someone would have logged it on our tracks database by now. Maybe a job for me if the track is still open.

 

[Les PK Ranger]

No worries.

Zoom in on either map to see those tracks appear, especially the mapcarta page.
Looks like you can download from that one too, maybe a file / jpg you can print to take.

Not sure EXACTLY where that track in the pics is, but suspect it is to the north off Glen Davis Rd, slightly to the east of Mt Airlie range, with tracks going right up that valley (Gap Ck) and up the east side of Mt Airlie.

I have done Turon and easier forest tracks in the Gardens of Stone / Newnes area nearby, very nice country.

 

[Jaye]

Col, the owner of the land you have to pass through to get to the track has recently just passed away and you may find no access to his property as I would assume his estate is being looked after by the executive. Just a heads up that you may find a locked gate or something along those lines.
Still might be worth a drive as there is plenty of country to see around there.

 

[nitrobrent]

Love Airlie.
Get up there 5 or 6 times a year.
Amazing views

.
Great to sit back and watch the sun set after a day on the tracks

 

[CaptainBanana]

That's really quite a nice area, I'll have to try and remeber to add it to my next trip past.