Description:   : 

We will be exploring tracks in the Mansfield, Goulburn and Macalister State Forests and a little bit of the Alpine National Park by circumnavigating Mount Skene from Jamieson to Jamieson.

We will meet at the Jamieson General Store and Newsagency for a 9.00am briefing, and will then travel east along Mitchells Track dropping down to Wrens  Flat on the Jamieson River, then travel along and up  Mt Sunday Road, past Mount Sunday at 1407m  to a proposed ridge line camp on the Great Dividing Range at The Dog Kennel, north of Mount Skene  for the Saturday night camp. On the Sunday, we will descend to the Barkly River and then do a loop to the north  going up the Son of Bitch  Spur Track to Nobs Track on the the Great Dividing Range ridge with good ridgetop views, then returning south along Mount Macdonald Track back down to the Barkly River.  We then continue south following the Barkly River, travelling  east of Mount Skene along the Son of Bitch Track, Mountain Ash Track and the N21 Track to join the Heyfield-Jamieson Road. Our Sunday night camp will be wherever we find a good campsite, possibly around the top of Mount Skene at 1574m. On Monday we will descend to the Goulburn River valley to the west of Mount Skene along either Snake Edwards Divide Track or Lazarinis Spur Track returning to Jamieson mid- afternoon along the Mansfield-Woods Point Road

The exact route will be subject to track conditions, the weather and preferences by the group en-route.

The trip within the Mount Skene area will not  proceed if unfavourable fire conditions are forecast. If the trip within the Mount Skene area does not subsequently proceed, then another location for a trip may be put up, in consultation with those having signed-up.

Saturday and Sunday camps may both be on ridge lines so carry sufficient water for 3 days. 

A satellite phone will be carried #0420 105 297 for emergency use.

For those travelling to Jamieson on the Friday evening, contact will be made closer to the weekend to determine camping arrangements at one of the camping grounds in the area or alternatively own arrangements can be made as preferred.

Finally, be prepared to be challenged, enjoy good company  and have fun !!

Weather:  Whilst it is summertime, the trip is in an alpine area and can be  potentially cold and wet so bring appropriate clothing, footwear and camping gear.  

Equipment:  Vehicles are  to have low range 4WD capability with good all-terrain tyres (minimum 60 profile), ideally a second spare tyre,  good ground clearance (minimum 200mm), UHF radio equipped and rated front and rear recovery points. Usual  recovery gear must be carried with a minimum of  two shackles and a snatch strap rated for your vehicle.

Trip Standard:  Hard. Whilst some of the tracks will be of a medium standard, the trip is rated as hard because the proposed route has not been previously travelled and some tracks within the area will be steep, rocky, rutted  and slippery if wet. 

Fuel:  A full tank out of Mansfield. 

Distance:  A total estimated distance of 200km comprising approximately 75km on Saturday, 75km on Sunday and 50 km on Monday.  The trip will be mainly low range driving.

Duration: 3 days 

Convoy limit: 8 vehicles 

Meeting arrangements:  We will meet at the Jamieson General Store and Newsagency for a 9.00am briefing. 

Trip Leader: Graeme Allen - 0477488434 or graeme.allen86@gmail.com