Firewood and access reports NE Vicco

Mr T may have a better idea and Teckel in Narby would know a great deal.

When drivers get trapped behind fallen trees and cannot get out they would probably call SES or CFA or Cops etc. even DSE person on call over weekend.....

Main highway would be Vic Rds.....

Rd to Lake Mt gets tree falls frequently and is probably Vic Rds responsibility.

I would always carry a chainsaw anywhere up there except when you are off to. Marysville and then Lake Mt......

Mt Margaret Rd seems best as DSE are mindful of trees falling on to log trucks that may be using the roadway in summer....they sometimes cut out potentially dangerous trees from close to road edge.
Mt Margaret roadway is wide of a very good standard so it’s easier to squeeze past debri or to attack fallen trees from a flat sound roadway that is wide.

I don’t know if or when the barrier on Lady Talbot Dve adjacent to Mt Margaret Gap is closed.Atm best way in to Keppels is via Buxton.Mt Margaret Rd....via Mt M Gap and along Lady Talbot to Turnoff to Keppels Hut on the left.

 

A good reason to call in at the igloo for coffee and food.....this is nice and warm....ganna be hard to move out!

 

Just returned from Day trip to Keppels....all overhanging poles(some were moderate diameter)have been cut on top bank as they pose a hazard to driving in poor visibility on this track.

More poles came down after recent weather event.....somebody else had cut through them.
I trimmed all bits protruding on to the track as they had just cut enough to get vehicles through.

Tree fall was again in the same places as previously!

It seems every time we get a substantial frontal system half a dozen assorted diameter trees come down!
So parties should carry chainsaws !

Wood shelter was topped up a little but work on the 4x4 track meant less time was available for sourcing firewood .All firewood taken from cut up fallen trees over this track and transported in back of Ute and Bunnings Trolley.

Again Team Bears saw four people(2x2) using the Keppels Hut Foot Track!
One group stayed at Keppels Hut O/N and the other were jogging around the loop on a day run.
So this track is getting frequent use atm.

Access remains open and reasonable from the Mt. Margaret Gap End....Keppels Hut 4x4
Is still negotiable in 2wd with mud snow tyres but it’s getting slippery after the recent rains.

 

Dropped in at Stihl Dealer in Buxton to get new chain cut....and to get spark plug and new plastic wedge.

Team Bears would highly recommend this guy....brilliant service and a real professional..

Now some sandwiches from Igloo and back up to Keppels to lay on some more firewood befire winter gets started.

A mild day at moment and the sun is out...still(Stihl) not much wind at all

 

This bulletin comes from Mt Margaret Gap.....

The little animals are all singing to the tune of the Echo 310 ES.

A fine day for working in the forest ....
Now there is ample firewood fir those that come to Keppels after the gates are closed....at least you will be warm!
Couple of loads previously and two were trucked in today from cut up logs over the track.

 

Team Bears have thrown more resources at Keppels Hut 4x4 Track....now all logs cut up and banished ....well they are well off Road now....

Starter cord went on Echo 310.....But Big 064 Stihl was brought out and after fitting a new chain the Team carved through the rubbish rolling it with crow bar out of the roadway alltogether.
Temperature is dropping very fast now.....too cold on hands to do much more today.

 

It was a sunny cool to mild day but after 4.30 the temperature plummeted....fog was observed in the river valley of Buxton.It gets too hard to motivate oneself as it gets cold ...well the 064 needs a good pull to start .....it gets harder with cold hands...Team Bears got all the stuff that we wanted too....virtually all the stuff that will make driving difficult should it snow before the seasons gate closure.

More debri will fall as winter gets going but at least it’s”clean”atm.

Team Bears have completed all work now.

As Mr.T says anybody with a Ute can easily add to the firewood supply at Keppels Hut by cutting some of this debri on edge of road and trucking it up the last kilometre or two.

Team Bears were in 2WD except when snigging logs down off the upper bank....so with good winter tyres it’s two wheel drivable atm. provided vehicle has reasonable clearance .....as it gets wetter 4WD will be required..

Seasons Gate closure comming in about four weeks time!

 

Yes I like that.We don’t want to let it go again.....a bit of a chainsaw and brushcut will keep it up to a good standard .

 

Mt Margaret Rd open atm ...DSE has just been up to Mt Margaret Gap..Lady Talbot Dve has not been cleared and DSE are not planning to go along there to Keppels Hut 4x4Track.
Still and lightly snowing now....snow on ground is wet and unconsolidated!Ankle deep!
Rodeo in 2WD with new winter tyres on rear wheels.some photos perhaps ...

 

Afternoon tea in Buxton!
A real slack day for Team Bears....

 

Note.....there is doubt that the road from Marysville to Lake Mt Turnoff is open atm??

Teckel says it was closed.So advice that travelers check out status of that highway.

Pretty cool down here at igloo with Hammy sitting by Woodstove!

 

Correction .....Teckel says Lake Mt Rd has reopened!

 

Definately not....I didnot even get my socks wet today.

Team Bears were sightseeing......yes a suburu type vehicle was parked at the MMGap and skiers came from there....looks like they were heading towards Keppels via LTDve and Keppels 4x4 Track.

I didnot want to push along on LTDve....firstly it would have been difficult secondly it damages track for skiers with no benefit to Team Bears as the last uphill section would have been a walk without skis

I informed Teckel of DSE activities and intentions.......she referenced a map of the area....DSE have done Rd clearing to the next track intersection approx half km from the Gap ....I believe you could take the track on the right on Snow Shoes or skis and come out near Keppels Hut....But I am told that apart from the locked gate numerous trees are diwn on this fire trail.This fire trail according to Teckels map sits at a higher altitude than LTDve.
But we did have a fun day and the weather was better than the last few days in Melb.We didnot get our heads blown off.

We thanked the DSE crews....keeping that access open is very beneficial to many on this forum ....It was a crew from Marysville ....so the free access is being maintained by these guys.

 

All snow on Mt Margaret Gap and Lady Talbot Dve gone...driveable to Keppels But very very slippery/muddy.
Numerous trees down but DSE turned up at a good time and helped pull debri away from a large fallen tree that Team Bears were struggling with....064 Stihl did all the cutting and DSE used their snig chains to pull debri out of way.
We had intended to ski to Keppels Hut from Mt M Gap but no snow!
Some photos from the day....it was sunny and in the sun very pleasant and mild.Many thanks to DSE staff ! Becarefull when driving into the sun up there or you will get a nasty surprise

 

Team Bears grounded till rodeos engine is sorted ....