Sally's Hole
7th & 8th July 2007

Written by Sue-Anne Corke

Saturday

Five vehicles met in the Bunnings carpark at Orange. It was drizzling and a mere 5 degrees Celsius.
We set off for Mt Canobalas at 10:25am with the real expectation of seeing snow. We drove on through
Nashdale and turned left on to Mitchell H’way at 10:50am.

The road took us through a pine forest and there was low cloud on the hills which gave an air of mystery to our adventure. The track was muddy in parts and the Toyota had traction trouble in the slippery stuff. Heading for Kentucky Road, the convoy came across saffron fungus under the pines. There were many and for some members of the convoy it was tempting to stop and fill up a bag.

A babbling brook on the left of the track provided fascination for our two young travellers in the back of the Defender 130. There was lots of bent and broken branches evidence of past snowfalls. We started to climb up a steep track under the powerlines. It was too rocky and slippery to proceed so the convoy turned around and decided to take the safer bitumen road option to the top of the mountain.

We could see snow flakes gracefully caressing the windscreen as we approached the summit.

Snow everywhere!!! For Riley this was his first experience of snow at the age of 3.5 years. There was a frantic scramble for warm jackets and woollen hats. Much snowball bombarding was done, including the adults. A cheeky snowman was built and placed with aplomb on the bonnet of our Defender 130. It was a joy to see our two young sons having so much fun.

With reluctance the convoy occupants returned to the warm interior surroundings of their vehicles and headed back down the mountain to the next turn-off. The snowman maintained uneasy traction for only a short distance before it plunged off the front of the bonnet at our next braking point.

The convoy came across a bush airstrip. It was very muddy and extremely slippery and a few large puddles provided a tempting playground for a couple of vehicles. One particularly large, rather deep, mud hole caught the driver and occupants of one vehicle by surprise. There was a short delay while we waited for the water to clear from the engine cylinders.

The convoy headed off through a pine forest with several recently worked logging coupes (Flatrock Rd). Lunch was at a picnic spot at a small weir on Four-Mile Creek at 1pm. The creek was very full with the depth indicator was at 50. One of the lads in the white Range Rover decided to try and "walk on water". There was a large pipe bridging the creek. Two attempts at walking across the curved wet surface resulted in a last second splash-dash to the opposite bank. This resulted in wet boots and jeans up to the Knees and being stranded on the opposite side of the fast flowing deep creek. This was amusing lunchtime entertainment. Our two young boys were totally oblivious to the performance because there were lots of excellent muddy puddles to drive their toy cars and bicycles through.

Back on the bitumen again and heading for camp along the Angullong-Orange Road. Willow eradication was well evident. We turned into Pandura Road and passed the Cadia Gold Mine then through Mandurama and onto the Glendolbie track. We came across a few steep climbs and then a large wash away. Our Defender 130 dropped the rear RH wheel into the hole. It required two vehicles with power winches to pull us out. We were not the only ones that got stuck.

Trip leader sighted a family of "billy goats" including a ~6 week old kid. The afternoon was fast coming to a close so an easier route than first planned was taken to the campsite. It was a very steep descent down to the river; but no dramas were encountered. We camped on the bank of the river just downstream from Sally's Hole. Stinging nettles gave the boys a surprise, despite warnings from various adults. It was easy to encourage them to keep their leather gloves on once they had both accidentally received the stinging rashes on their knees and hands. Later there was rain in the evening and overnight.

Sunday

The scenery was stunning next morning. There were water drops on the native grasses and pine needles of the trees that lined the banks of the river.

We packed up a wet tent, loaded the car, and crossed the river, parked and walked up to Sally's Hole. Pretty waterfalls lined the gully. A good vantagepoint was to be had by scrambling up the side of the gully. A very special place. Back in the vehicles again we ascended out of the valley. The track was slippery and Sam needed snatching. Tony was prepared this time and low 2nd gear with a bit more momentum got us safely passed the slippery sections.

We continued on through the forest. Bryce was heard over the radio to say " Nice easy Sunday afternoon through the lovely trees...Oops, forgot about this one." A rutted steep climb, but no worries this time. Next was Baldy's trail that presented slippery red clay all the way down to a creek.

Three trail bikes caught up to the convoy. The funniest thing happened. One of the bikers rode straight into the fence while trying to get past Neil.

Pride dented, and very funny to watch, but thankfully no damage done to bike or rider.
Bryce then saw a yellow fox.

At 12:30pm Bryce's Rangie had stopped with a clutch problem. Our lunch destination was cut short to preserve the state of the clutch. We drove slowly to the intersection of Crawford Road and Tea Tree Road. Three horses kept watch over lunch proceedings from a nearby paddock. It was an unusual spot for lunch but a timely location to end the trip.

Bryce headed to Orange to fix his clutch and we headed for the Abercrombie Caves to continue our holiday.

Many thanks to Bryce and the gang for a memorable and interesting weekend.