Weekend Run 23/11/2013

[Carves]

Well the original plan was to do about 500 mile revisiting some old stomping grounds, get some elevation, drown a lure or worm, and check out a coupla spots that I'd missed in the past.

But ... due to forecasted storms/rain ... and national park campfire bans .. :rolleyes: ... The weekend turned into a relax weekend, a bit closer to home.


Posted this piccy a while ago ...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/11032012/11032012_37a.jpg


It was taken at the crossroads at the bottom centre of this screenshot ....

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/PandoraPass_zps25307584.jpg


.... but the area over to the north east of that crossroad .... is a bit more interesting ... and had less rain forecast ... and no campfire bans.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/CoolahTops_zpsa4029175.jpg


So .... time to get moving ... coupla hrs of the usual ...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4696b_zps4ecac3c1.jpg


.... and then up the hill to the Nat Pk ...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4702b_zps4e71026c.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4703b_zps2a917cdd.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4704b_zpsccaa629b.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4705b_zps26133f2d.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4706b_zps22f7ebf2.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4708b_zps6b96f55c.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4709b_zps96d5f029.jpg


A little monument to a bloke called Cunningham -who discovered the pass - in the first piccy,

.... and also to another fella called Ludwig Leichhardt ... who later managed to get himself and his crew ... lost and never heard of again ...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4710b_zps1e997e21.jpg


Once up on top theres a fairly dramatic change in scenery ...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4716b_zps43cc706a.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4715b_zpsac0ca9ac.jpg


Tis nice to get amongst some proper trees, now and then .. :D


Pulled up at the regular campsite area and picked a spot to set up camp.

.... and not one of the furry little buggers, offered to help .. ;);)

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4725b_zps349765ba.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4727b_zps542f09e9.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4728b_zpsa0d2ade2.jpg


Rained Friday night and woke up to this, Sat morning ...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4756b_zps6e355b7f.jpg


.... went back to bed with coffee and a book .. :D


Finally got some sunshine about lunchtime ... which made everybody happy ...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4763b_zps5c9fcdb5.jpg


So I wanderered off to take some pics of stuff I usually take for granted,

Little waterfall near the camp ...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4768b_zps59e0b4d8.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4769b_zpsa3bce92b.jpg


View from the next one down ... to the next one ....

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4770b_zpsc0ee23d8.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4771b_zps1af381dd.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4772b_zps127d8b9f.jpg


Then it was a short, quick drive, around to the main lookout ...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4784b_zpscde5c626.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4777b_zps572c3147.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4778b_zps01f0d2e4.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4781b_zpsda11f37d.jpg


... and then onto the next lookout ... if possible - since the access gate to the other 75% of the park is normally locked most times I've been up here .. :rolleyes:




Strewth .. :shocker: its open .. :confused:

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4793b_zpsf0051f7a.jpg

Maybe ... if it was left open more often .... they wouldnt need to concrete in bits of railway line / knock down trees - to stop tourists driving around it .. :rolleyes:

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4794b_zpsfc11b348.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4791b_zps6326e2f1.jpg



This time the gate shoulda been locked .. :rolleyes: .. :D

Noooo .... I'm not driving in Jeep Heaven ... just low lying cloud .. ;)

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4787b_zpsba18bcc4.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4788b_zps85dcd874.jpg

Probably a common occurrence for some of youse ... but a bit of a novelty for me .. ;);)


So it was back to some other spots ... Since there wouldnt be any views up ahead.

Much more of this and I'll have to rename it ... USS GroceryGetter .. :D

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4796b_zpsb4436d51.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4798c_zps90c33da6.jpg .. http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4799c_zpsb1e86a27.jpg


A sheep story for cantab27 .. :p .. :D

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4808b_zps0a0f8ede.jpg


The hut has been dolled up a bit ... gets used as a camping facility now ... even has a lawnmowing service .. ;);)

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4806c_zps2055219e.jpg .. http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4804c_zps87c745a6.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4807b_zps5bbee137.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4805b_zpseaa160bb.jpg


One of the other camping areas ... Need a jackhammer to put tentpegs in tho .. :rolleyes:

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4809b_zpsa241c896.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4815b_zps2dba1931.jpg

Has another couple of series, of little falls nearby ...

@ 4.3LXJ ... notice the pipe organ .. ;);)

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4816b_zpsc73b68e0.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4813b_zpseaa5f9a4.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4817b_zps4bf32d8a.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4819b_zpse9a5143d.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4820b_zpsd363ee96.jpg


Wrapped up the day with a feed ... and the washing up .. :mad: .. :D

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4822c_zps1edbd296.jpg .. http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4823c_zps86403c0c.jpg


Much better start to the day, today ..

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4826b_zps8b4f8d4f.jpg

Sunshine was appreciated by all .. and it made packing up a lot easier ...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4828b_zps8e1da294.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Trip%20Pics/Coolah%20Tops%2023-11-2013/100_4831b_zpsea3dcc80.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Nice pics Carves. Nice forest too. Mostly eucalyptus? I see your pipe organ, will raise you one in PM :D

[Mudderoy]

That's some great pictures there.

[Carves]

Nice pics Carves. Nice forest too. Mostly eucalyptus? I see your pipe organ, will raise you one in PM :D


Since digital pics dont cost anything ... compared to the ol 35mm processing ... I can now afford to take thousands - in the hope of getting a coupla reasonable shots .. :D

Yeah ... she's a good/impressive forest ... especially after coming up from the lowlands with all its stunted and shrubby stuff.

The place is starting to get a bit messy now tho ... NPWS has had control of the area since about '96 ... and trees that could have been cut/taken for use by loggers - are now just fallen over and rotting ... They grow tall but they arent planted in much .. ;);) ... and that makes it hard for the feral, goats and pigs, to get about the place. :rolleyes:

Mostly eucalypts ..?? ... unless its a pine tree or imported ... everything is pretty much a eucalypt down here .. ;);) .. :D

Main three in the park are Ironbark, Stringybark and Snowgums ... using the colloquial names.
... Funnily enough - despite only being about 3000ft up, and miles from our, "alpine" region ... the park has the biggest Snowgums in the country.

[Brasscatz]

I see your pipe organ, will raise you one in PM :D

Too easy.... :smiley-taunt002:

[bad luck]

Thanks for sending this to me, I missed it on the forum. I just haven't had time to spend on it lately. Those are very cool pics, what is the name of the National Park where you camped? That is a beautiful area, and I had heard that Australia was all desert, guess that's not true.

[bluedragon436]

Looks like a great time... Need to venture down there for some trail time!!

[Carves]

Thanks for sending this to me, I missed it on the forum. I just haven't had time to spend on it lately. Those are very cool pics, what is the name of the National Park where you camped? That is a beautiful area, and I had heard that Australia was all desert, guess that's not true.

Just thought you might appreciate a, non blurry, skippy, piccy .. :D

Coolah Tops National Park.

Not all desert ... but lots of it is ... This pic is OK for a guide,
... and having a look at peoples pics on google earth - is probably the best way to get an overall picture of how the landscape changes across the areas.

http://www.diamantina-tour.com.au/maps/australia_deserts/arid_zone.jpg



Looks like a great time... Need to venture down there for some trail time!!

Carves' Tour Service is available ....
Fees are beer and fuel ...
Distances travelled ... depend on the quantities of each - that you provide.




ohhhh ... and you wil need money to rent some toyotas .. :rolleye0012: .. :smiley-laughing021: