Snowy Mountains - November 11-13
SUNDAY (Epic - well, kind of)
Sunrise and it was looking a little more overcast than the previous day. Original plans of a standard ride back along Round Mountain Trail where adjusted given high spirits and confidence from a good day on Saturday. We had less weight - we'd eaten all the food, and we wanted to revisit old friends like the base of Mt Jagungal, O'Keefes Hut, Farm Ridge Trail and Round Mountain Hut (one of JDs' personal favourites ;-) ).
A few quick shots of relics around Grey Mares (no ! - not us - the machinery below) and we were on our way.
The ride to O'Keefes Hut was pretty uneventful. Phil had an "endo" on a down hill with the front wheel sucked into mud but all good with a soft mud landing. Up the hill from "shoes off" (for some - not Phil, Paul and Greg) water crossing and it was starting to get interesting. We hit Farm Ridge Trail intersection and nearly lost JD - "praise the whistle" - as he scooted off on the clear path. Yes, Farm Ridge Trail didn't look like it had had traffic on it since last time we took it back in 2001 - 10 years ago !!. Click here for that adventure.
Farm Ridge Trail was grassy, covered in "hanger seeking" sticks, fallen trees and discomfort. The views were stunning though and as you can see from the pictures below an amazing down hill to the river. But with every down comes an up and this was a very, very big 3k up to the cars at Round Mountain. And for this up I wish I had gators with low, tough brush right at shin height.
Round Mountain Hut - nearly out - out to the cars, and out of energy
We had plans to stop at "Long Trail Pantry" in Jugiong but with it closing at 4 and it now being 3 plans changed to a feed in Tumut. The Phoenix Cafe and never had a chicken kebab tasted so good.
Farewells and back in the troop carriers for the final run back up the Hume and into Sydney. Another day in the mountains would have been nice - the weather was perfect, scenery was awesome, bikes faultless, catering more than satisfying. Good to get back to roughing it a little with a pack, camp stove, sleeping bag, tents, rations and open fire. Well done "Bruddas".
All the photos from the trip are here.