Firewood and access reports NE Vicco

[Ubiquitous Steve]

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.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Begs the question to the forum as a whole: How often are high grade gravel 2wd forest roads monitored by Vicroads/councils/PV/DELWP to keep them clear of fallen trees and other obstacles. I know the answer is likely to be it depends on which road, etc. But a rough rule....

For instance, I would have thought the road through to St Gwinear would be generally at least daily. What would it be for Mt Margaret/Blue Range Rd - roads that are kept open throughout winter?

I would not depend on any of those organizations in the dark or by day in winter anywhere. Just carry the power tool/ tools in the boot and you will be sorted. The Team leader is right , just carry a chainsaw , crow bar , wedges, tomahawk, spare 2 stroke fuel and spare bar oil and you will be O.K. .
The Marysville approach to Keppel's hut is closed in winter. Lady Talbot drive has a locked winter gate at both ends of the carriageway so that the Mt. Margaret Gap is the best way in on foot from the locked winter gate out there in white season.
In spring i.e. September , the days are longer and the weather becomes finer and a long day hike to ski for nothing up near the Boundary hut ruins is totally possible , carrying skis , poles and ski boots on a day pack from the winter gate at Mt. M. Gap.
Now that the track up to the ski runs from near Keppel's Hut is now skis strapped onto the pack friendly in snow season, Houston …. we have lift off.


Comparing Mt. St. G. with Mt. Margaret gap is not really a level comparison. Mt.St.G. is a well known fee free XC skiing and kiddies' snow ball throwing and toboggan location within Parks Vic.'s area of administration.
I skied there last early September. Being in an AWD with off road tyres there was no issue with fitting chains i.e. not necessary .
Micro spikes for my feet would have been good trying to get to the XC ski trail head with my planks and not slipping over on the frozen boiler plate car park surface.

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

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

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

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

Where pray tell might The Igloo be located?.

 

[Charlie]

Where pray tell might The Igloo be located?.

Love the bit of wire holding the door closed!

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

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.

 

[Ian]

Just got back from a Bogong resupply Saturday - Sunday.
The Granite Flat track was dozed nicely all the way to the top but the sign on the gate says it will be closed from Thursday 16th May. Snow really started about half way up Eskdale and was melting quickly.

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

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

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

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.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

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.

Excellent work. The Team leader has excelled himself and the Bears are over achieving again .

 

[teckel]

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.

Best option for fallen trees in these parts is the SES. Whether you're on the highway or a smaller track. Vicroads take forever. SES are always prompt. But they probably wouldn't come for a remote 4WD track, unless someone was actually trapped. Most farmers travel with a chainsaw and deal with stuff as they come across it.

 

[teckel]

Where pray tell might The Igloo be located?.

Buxton

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

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.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

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.

Some serious cutting was going on. Some of those logs could be sawn up into smaller logs and added to the Keppel's hut wood pile or transported to another hut for fire wood before the gates close next month.
Bunnings can sell the Team Leader some leather rigging gloves for a nice price.Having seen the ski trail on Long Heath Trail on Lake Mtn. totally blocked in places by fallen timber , there might be a mysterious reduction of fallen timber on that track before the winter gates close ;-P .

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

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!

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

The walking track up there from Keppel's hut to Lake Mtn. will be reinspected in mid Nov. 2019 by someone who likes to see that route kept well open all year round.

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

The walking track up there from Keppel's hut to Lake Mtn. will be reinspected in mid Nov. 2019 by someone who likes to see that route kept well open all year round.

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 .

 

[Endless_Winter]

Out n about in the vic high country today

Nr 1 pooch thought he saw a lost sheep at one point

When the rain/snow eased a little, it was quite a good day for collecting firewood.

I imagine things are pretty brutal in the alpine right meow.

This was about 1200m, it’s warmed up about 2 or 3 degrees today so the snow was very wet at this elevation.

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

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 ...

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

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

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

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!

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

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

 

[beefa skiing]

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 ...

Looks like you had a big day. I've been watching the status of the road to Lake Mountain and glad to see that it is open. The photos look great and there seems like there is substantial snow, even down to 1200m.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

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 ...

I think I can see XC ski tracks in these photos. Has the Team leader been back on the planks after a long break from them i.e. years?

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

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.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

If the LM road is closed tomorrow then I have my chains, snow shovel , chain saw etc already packed so we can get up to Mt. M. Gap and ski out there . Magnificent.

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

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

 

[currawong]

See fc news thread re upgrade for BHP rd.
https://www.ski.com.au/xf/threads/falls-creek-news-and-chat.69056/page-13#post-3968474

 

[Total Whiteout]

How's the road into Camp Gap looking? We're heading up the Eskdale on Friday.

 

[S-Club]

Been up the Mulhauser / Long Spur approaches to Bogong recently? Anyone know what state it is in?

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

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

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Been up the Mulhauser / Long Spur approaches to Bogong recently? Anyone know what state it is in?

I went up Mulhauser in late April. The road is the best I have seen it. However in view of how much snow has fallen recently a High Clearance 4 x 4 jalopy with wheel chains would be the sanest way to drive up that way.Take a chain saw.

 

[S-Club]

I went up Mulhauser in late April. The road is the best I have seen it. However in view of how much snow has fallen recently a High Clearance 4 x 4 jalopy with wheel chains would be the sanest way to drive up that way.Take a chain saw.

Absolutely and I usually do. More a question of whether I want to spend my time walking or cutting logs.

 

[Endless_Winter]

Caution maybe be required for those in the Mt Bogong northern and eastern approaches if the wind picks up from the north again.

Looks like there’s a few spot fires from lightning strikes. The main ones of concern are near the big clear cut north of eskdale spur and then another somewhere in a very inaccessible spot somewhere near the bottom of audax spur.

Appeared to be another fire on the east side of the Kiewa valley north of mt beauty.

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

Team Bears did four hours work on Keppels Hut walking track this arvo in the rain.....now clear of all fallen logs in first km and half.Team Leader got somewhat hypothermic in the cold and wet but 1 1/2 hours by Igloo Wood Stove made things normalise!

Our previous recce last weekend via Mc Fadden Track to Keppels Hut and walking track revealed that Team Bears have most debri under control again.We expect Mr T to drag his Makita up towards those ski trails getting any further debri that still lies over this track.Exhausting arvo but a profitable one.

Thank god igloo has a good wood heater!

Only Mt Margaret Rd and Upper Lady Talbot Drive open at moment......4x4 track from LTD.is also clear of debri..Team Bears dodged a few minor obstacles on last half km of Mt Margaret Rd up to Mt M Gap.
Again note Marysville approach to Keppels Hut 4x4 track is closed?You need to access via Mt M Gap.

 

[snowgum]

Caution maybe be required for those in the Mt Bogong northern and eastern approaches if the wind picks up from the north again.

Looks like there’s a few spot fires from lightning strikes. The main ones of concern are near the big clear cut north of eskdale spur and then another somewhere in a very inaccessible spot somewhere near the bottom of audax spur.

Appeared to be another fire on the east side of the Kiewa valley north of mt beauty.

This is a worry. Feels a bit like '03-04' all over again! Another shortened walking season in the region?

Start rant!
Another annoyance, nay outrage is that clear felled hill. How does DELWP let VicForests take so many trees from one area? And from just a few kms Bogong? No wonder people are saying enough!

End rant!

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

This is a worry. Feels a bit like '03-04' all over again! Another shortened walking season in the region?

Start rant!
Another annoyance, nay outrage is that clear felled hill. How does DELWP let VicForests take so many trees from one area? And from just a few kms Bogong? No wonder people are saying enough!

End rant!

Yes the logging near the Hollow way and Mulhauser spur is an eye sore.

 

[snowgum]

Yes the logging near the Hollow way and Mulhauser spur is an eye sore.

From the air it looks like VicForests threw away the rule book for the area - one way to reduce the risk of National Park expansion??

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

From the air it looks like VicForests threw away the rule book for the area - one way to reduce the risk of National Park expansion??

I tend to agree with you. Such aggressive logging is bad for the planet. Vested interests don't care about our only home, Mother Earth.

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

Some kind person or persons have filled up Keppels wood shelter ...well done.

 

[snowgum]

Some kind person or persons have filled up Keppels wood shelter ...well done.

Happy Xmas wishes to the kind people that did this! (

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

More work was done on Keppels Walking track....Team Bears could hear the doff doff noise from Lake Mt concert Thingee...as we worked .We pushed chain saw higher up above the steep climb till the tank was empty.Then the Team walking to the Boundary Hut Ski trail....throwing small branches off the track where we could.Mt T has some work still to do on the upper flatter trail....small snow gum branches and trees of small diameter .The creek was still running right at the top....and we had a reasonable drink of water.(Take a plastic cup would be best!)
We also cleaned two dangerous protruding trees on Mt Margaret Rd close to the Gap and one pole on LTDve.The gate remains closed to Marysville just after the Keppels 4x4 turnoff.Teckel was finding out the score on this access?

So coming from Buxton over Mt M Gap and LTDve and Keppels 4x4 track is all good reasonably dry....no obstacles and only last two Kms is rough.

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

The 24inch bar stihl was playing uo otherwise Team Bears May have clambered up bank and totally delt with those larger projectiles on the Mt M.Rd just before Mt M Gap.Flooded Stihl as usual!!

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

Happy Xmas wishes to the kind people that did this! (

Oh it’s really excellent ........last weekend I came out of bush half frozen and there was no wood to light a fire so I came back to thaw out at Igloo.Very good work to those persons ....looks like they carried it in from the road too as the necessary boulders are still in place to keep 4x4’s where they belong in Carpark.Team Bears can only do so much and greatly appreciate everybody’s else’s efforts !Ubi had cramps in legs and hands last night....leg cramps nearly killed me....I am so unfit !!

So we are relying on Mr T and associates to do final cut over last km to ski trails....

 

[snowgum]

Totally agree Steve. There's some great people out in the bush - caring for the place and their fellow travellers.

Our views on land policy and our mode of travel may differ but on the whole, most folks in these remote areas are gems!

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Oh it’s really excellent ........last weekend I came out of bush half frozen and there was no wood to light a fire so I came back to thaw out at Igloo.Very good work to those persons ....looks like they carried it in from the road too as the necessary boulders are still in place to keep 4x4’s where they belong in Carpark.Team Bears can only do so much and greatly appreciate everybody’s else’s efforts !Ubi had cramps in legs and hands last night....leg cramps nearly killed me....I am so unfit !!

So we are relying on Mr T and associates to do final cut over last km to ski trails....

Long Heath trail might get a Makita haircut too.

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

Oh ..when time is available ...the creek before the track steepens which has flowing water most of the summer but is inaccessible will get a little miniature track ...so water can be reached..it’s a jungle there ...it only needs a little trail...so one can get a drink.The stream flows under the track...and it sounds like it’s carrying a reasonable amount of H2O.This will be done with minimal disturbance to vegetation.

 

[Ubiquitous Steve]

Team Bears journeyed up to Keppels Hut again.We neutralized the protruding medium diam poles.They were cut above bank...they are down in gutter..waiting on DSE to push debri out of gutter and off the roadway.That job took a bit of our time chambering up batter with the 064....having delt with flooding petrol issues!

It drizzled on drive through Black Spur but cleared up while we were up there.The little access track to running water before the steepening slope (creek 3 in from the road )was constructed.Any log debri from former ops was cut smaller and rolled completely off the track.The Team Leaders jacket smells very aromatic after cutting miniature passage into creek!Now a drink of water is possible as one passes here!

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Team Bears journeyed up to Keppels Hut again.We neutralized the protruding medium diam poles.They were cut above bank...they are down in gutter..waiting on DSE to push debri out of gutter and off the roadway.That job took a bit of our time chambering up batter with the 064....having delt with flooding petrol issues!

It drizzled on drive through Black Spur but cleared up while we were up there.The little access track to running water before the steepening slope (creek 3 in from the road )was constructed.Any log debri from former ops was cut smaller and rolled completely off the track.The Team Leaders jacket smells very aromatic after cutting miniature passage into creek!Now a drink of water is possible as one passes here!

I am looking at going up there on Monday. I will report back.