Ambler Lane, XL tracks - Lerderderg

[sjm]

Today I did a quick loop through the Lerderderg State Park.

From O'Briens Road, I headed north along Ambler Lane Track, down across the river, then back up through the Wombat State Forest onto Chettle Road. East along Chettle Road to XL track, where I turned south and continued along XL track, across the creek, and back up to O'Briens Road.

A nice little loop, with some good ascents and descents and a couple of small water crossings. I'd recommend it as an easy circuit in the dry. Both Ambler Lane track and XL track are rated 4WD blue in the dry, but that increases to double black diamond in the wet. Both are closed over winter/spring anyway.

Start of Ambler Lane Track, just off O'Briens Road:

The track descends at a moderate rate, and is comfortable:

There were some sections with minor rutting, but nothing serious, a nice easy descent:

My new sump guard got to taste some dirt:

Towards the bottom it started to get a little rocky, but again, nothing major. Easily do-able in a conventional 2WD vehicle:

Then it was time to cross the river, I was a little disappointed at how low the level was:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7juF7_gPP2Q"]Ambler Lane Track, Lerderderg River Crossing - YouTube[/ame]


After crossing the river, I continued north along Ambler Lane track to meet up with Chettle track, and around to the start of XL track:

There were a few boggy sections along XL track, but no problems in the dry. Wet would be interesting...

At the bottom, I crossed the creek:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzmJV1x9-u4"]XL track creek crossing, Lerderderg - YouTube[/ame]


And from then on, it was a fairly smooth ascent all the way up XL track:

A couple of minor rocky sections, but nothing too difficult:

Then it was out onto O'Briens road again to finish off a short, easy loop, but a lot of fun.

 

[Ratbag]

Nice track and pics, SJ :ebiggrin:.

Good to have a videographer/photographer along for the ride ... .

Must try that track next time I'm up that way.

 

[sjm]

Nice track and pics, SJ :ebiggrin:.
Good to have a videographer/photographer along for the ride ... .
Must try that track next time I'm up that way.

I travel solo. I shoot my own photos and videos.

If you want a guide, PM me the next time you're in the area - I'm only 10 minutes away, and I've spent more than 40 years exploring the Wombat/Lerderderg region.

 

[Hunter]

Nice photos mate, the foz looks really good

 

[mr turbo]

Looks & sounds like you had a great day out on the dirt sjm :ebiggrin:

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[carljwnc]

Nice!!!

I need a nice little loop like that to get the Outback dirty.:biggrin:

 

[pezimm]

I might take the Foz for a ride to also get my new bash plate a bit dirty...

 

[Ratbag]

Thanks, SJ. A very kind offer.

I travel solo. I shoot my own photos and videos.

If you want a guide, PM me the next time you're in the area - I'm only 10 minutes away, and I've spent more than 40 years exploring the Wombat/Lerderderg region.

Sounds good to me ... :ebiggrin: .

Next time we are coming up that way, will definitely give you a yell.

How do you manage to take your own photos/videos? Seems like a fair bit of work to do that.

 

[Gravel_Rocks]

That looks like a nice loop that would, as you said, be more difficult were it wet!
Takin' your own pics and settin' up the video camera are surely a good way to stretch your legs and get some exercise, thanks for taking the time.

 

[tomtom88]

Great trip report, looks like a trail I would really enjoy!

 

[thunder039]

awesome stuff!

i am currently moving from ballarat , have been living there for a few years for uni. i have always wanted to check out there area but never had time and dont know the area at all and didnt want to be one of "thoes people" that get lost out there :rotfl:

the second river crossing looks like fun and a bit more interesting then the first

 

[sjm]

You often see stories about bushwalkers getting lost in the gorge - generally though, they are not lost, they've just become trapped by rising water levels. They usually know exactly where they are, but they've been unexpectedly delayed.

Trail bike riders are another story though... they frequently get lost.

I was talking to the local road crew yesterday, and apparently they've just run a bulldozer over Ambler Lane track, and they reckon it's now comfortable 2WD (not that it wasn't before, but now it's even more so). The river is a popular camping place over summer, so they're just making sure everyone can get in.

As to the river crossings, the first one was the Lerderderg river, usually quite full and fast flowing over winter, but often dries up in summer. Crystal clear water, with a rocky bottom. The second was a feeder creek that flows into the river - slow flowing, and soft, muddy bottom. There's a large hole on the (drivers) left, so it's important to hug the right hand side. It also pays to wade it first, since you can't see the bottom.