Dwellingup fence line track 31-08-2024 

The day started off with overcast skies and light showers of rain as we left the metro area. Hmm not good, as we don’t want a soggy track. 

Our meeting point was Pinjarra bakery: the coffee and pies are always good. My chilli pie was really hot. Everybody who had planned to come was on time and we left early with Roger and Derek acting as tail.    

Driving the fence line track at any time is an adventure, when the track is wet it becomes even more of a challenge. The track is narrow, it has no chicken tracks the bushes encroach the track in many places (lopping shears are an asset).

Our visitor has a black GU Patrol so some gardening was required on many occasions. In addition, the recent storms had dropped many branches and small trees across the track that required clearing. However, the big tree that we expected to spend time sawing and clearing had been cleared off the track and neatly stacked.

The track itself was slippery and the more showers that came the more slippery it became. Driving in such conditions required spotters and precise wheel placement. Walking in such conditions required boots with good tread and careful foot placement. 

After much winching on the recce, this time we lowered tyre pressures further (20 psi compared to 25psi on the recce). On the recce the traction boards (TREDS) used in pairs reduced the dragging diff problem. This knowledge made a big difference to getting up the track so winching was only required by some in one part of the track. 

The first challenge is a long steep hill that is smooth and greasy. With plenty of power all arrived at the top with little difficulty. After a pause to enjoy the scenery, we continued following the fence line up and down, up and down.

Next a couple of puddles, unpredictable puddles. Some are shallow with hard bottoms while others are slippery. You don’t know until you launch in.

Through the forest, overgrown and with felled trees and branches. Somewhere here the black Patrol acquired a long memory mark from front door to tailgate; that will take some polishing to remove. Oops! Sorry Arty.

Now for the biggest challenge: a very rutted hill with a couple of large rocks to avoid, big steps up and over smooth shiny tree roots and plenty of red mud. Here Jack with his smooth soled shoes struggled to stay upright. When the winching set up began Jack was very curious and trying to see up close the action but was obedient in moving away when the winching was actually underway. 

Eventually all the people, vehicles and gear made it to the top.

One TRED was in numerous pieces having lodged itself under Lee’s car, jammed between the step and the exhaust. Roger had mud in the bead. This was easily fixed and we moved on to a flat spot for a well-earned lunch.

Scarp Pool is a picturesque place and good to place for a dip in Summer. Not today: it is a fast-running torrent of froth. Unfortunately, the track round the pool has been damaged by water runoff and parking is now limited to a small boggy patch of mud that we squelched through and carried into our cars.

Our drive continued to areas we had not reccied and we found a, new to us, gate. Another track provided a way in.

This did result in more track clearance and a U turn at a locked farmer’s gate. (We need to find out how a gazetted road can be shut by a farmer’s gate.) With no way out, we retraced our steps which meant going up a wash out that was deep. No problems here, we were getting better at balancing on top of the ruts.

 A brake problem occurred on a vehicle but because we had the skills, tools and sundry parts a solution was found and the trip continued. Photo 4257, 4259

Again, Jack was fascinated and keen to be as close as possible. People were willing to provide answers for Jack. After more track clearing, we eventually exited, pumped tyres and came home, weary but having enjoyed the day out.

The track was rated at 3 – 5, some winching was required, no vehicles were damaged and one TRED was damaged beyond repair. 

Take away 

Wrap around awnings are great for overhead protection when doing track side repairs. Hydraulic bottle jacks are great. Lopping shears are good for track clearance.  

Don & Jane