Junction Camp - May 2008
A group of us gathered at Conningsby on a bleak morning wondering what lay in front of us as it drizzled rain. Hopes were still high for a good weekend. We headed north to Calen where we met up with Nev and then proceeded on towards Gunyarra. The rain eased as we drove north and the weather cleared even more as we headed inland towards the ranges. A short stop at the property owner’s house before driving on to where we had smoko. A couple of horses came over to see what was on offer and scored a few slices of bread. The drive up the ranges was uneventful apart from meeting a Ute and a horse float coming down. He stopped and let us pass but must have been wondering how many more cars were coming. We soon arrived at the second owner’s house and had a short chat. We then headed out to the camp site, the only problem being a new fence line meaning we opened 2 more gates than we had to. As we set up camp, the drizzle returned and continued on and off during the afternoon and into the night. A few drinks were had around the fire with Neal proving that being a fire pest is a genetic disorder, Nita has the same affliction!
We woke to more drizzling rain and started to pack up knowing we had a big day in front of us. How big we were yet to find out. At the bottom of the first hill I came to a stand still with wheels spinning. Oops, forgot to lock the centre diff, pushed the button and we were away again. Near the top of the first hill is a big hole which gets worse each year. We crawled up towards it, I picked a line and went for it, we made it but only just. Sandra nearly pulled the Jesus bar out of the dash. Bruce went next and all I will say is that I’m glad I didn’t take the same line as him. I didn’t see what happened but when I got to him, I could see that his heart was going as fast as it goes. Now we knew that we were in for a big day. Wendy also got a fright at the same spot.
From then on it was a case of get to a gully, fill it in, get to a hill, pick a line and fill in the washout. It ended up taking 8 hours to travel about 15km (I think). I’m sure glad I took my mattock, when I got to tired to swing it, someone else would have a go. The ground was a bit hard for shovels. Lunch was had a bit early 11.30am to catch our breath and settle a few nerves. I ended up using my winch 3 times, I have never used it that many times on a trip before. On the last really bad hill where I got stuck, I got out of the car to set up the winch and nearly couldn’t get back in. I was standing on the side step with my feet near the back wheel trying to push open the door. Bruce managed to drive up and he kept going to clear the track ahead. We had been doing this all day to try and keep the group moving. If we had waited for everyone it would have taken much longer than 8 hours to get to the forestry road. Everyone took the chicken track where Jim and Ian had trouble last year. We could have made it but the thought of doing more road work when we didn’t have to didn’t turn me on. About 4.30pm we got back onto the forestry road and everyone pumped up their tyres. No wasps this time but Ted was seen walking around with a stick. Maybe he was looking for the nest he disturbed last time. I think some of the members were watching him very closely.
The drive back through the state forest had us driving through cloud and chasing pigs with the car and dodging feral cattle. Then it was down the range where a few stopped at the camp ground toilet. Then it was back onto the highway and home. As this was the last time Sandra and I will be going on this trip, I thought I would tell you a bit of history. My firat time on junction Camp was a recce with the Land Rover Club (Mackay 4WD Club hadn’t happened yet. The track was nearly as bad as this last trip. On one of the Land Rover Clubs trips, a club member broke an engine mount a major problem you would think but no the club member actually had a spare engine mount so we were able to change it and keep going. I started leading the trip when the Mackay 4WD Club was formed and have lead it ever since. Junction camp has got its name from being cold. How did it get the name, the sand in the creek where we camp has been white with frost, temps of -2 and -3 degrees have been recorded and gas canisters have frozen when we tried to use them. That’s cold. We have even had the creek start running on one trip. I believe a campfire floated away. Some of the camps had to be moved to higher ground. The water never got very deep and had disappeared by dark. I have really enjoyed leading this trip, it is always different, the camp site is excellent and there is usually plenty of 4wding. I wish the next years leader the best of luck, you might need it. I would suggest that it be rated as a grade 4.5 until the track improves. Also a few more mattocks would be handy.
Finally thanks to the people who came on this trip for all the work they did.
By Andrew, Sandra, Dayna and Megan.