AUGUST DAY TRIP 2025 by Club Member Pauline.

We met at the corner of Neaves Rd and Wandoo Rd in the morning with the weather expecting more rain. Six vehicles braved this wet and wild day. Our trip leaders: Keith and Garry in one vehicle.

The briefing was informative with both Keith and Garry having done a reconnaissance a few days before. Tyres were deflated and we were quickly turning right onto the sand track.

Our trip took us on sand tracks with climbs, descents, sharp turns and water crossings and then a bush track. We drove in a north easterly direction past the rifle range, then views over the bush towards Muchea.

Helping fellow driver with some advice.

Pauline had trouble with two episodes early on that required help. 

Earlier briefing directions not to brake when wheels spin on sand, then to reverse straight back in tracks formed, also further reducing the tyre pressures and using an adequate lead up to ascending with more pressure on the accelerator pedal was useful. Also input from Brian about gears so when reversing back over my bogged sand pile changing into Mud selection before starting off the ascent in Sand mode.

This meant I succeeded the sandy climb.  The second episode was to take the turns wide and though informed of this by Keith at the start this was not always possible.  So with this incident I reversed with adequate lead up and better knowledge of the turn and then had success without shovel or maxi tracks!

We all stopped for morning tea at a lookout point where we could see Muchea to the north-east. Some of the men cleared rusted iron debris from this vantage point. We then climbed up another hill and as a passenger I had a trial descending down a steep sandy track. Fortunately this experience allowed my confidence to then descend without incident. With a great deal of concentration, continuing undulating sand track with some shallow water crossings I was learning a lot this trip.

Next we were on really true bush track with our leaders cutting down branches and warning us of stumps and turns. This was scratchy but fun.

Now it was lunchtime, at a very good previously determined area, that had level shaded area that could easily fit many more vehicles, we stopped and had lunch.

And now an easy sand track to a gravel road where we all pumped up our tyres .

By 2:30pm we all headed home on the gravel road turning right onto Brand Hwy north of Muchea.

Lunch stop!