Corryong to Mansfield through the Vic High Country with a camper trailer?

My family would like to do the above trek in late Nov, early Dec this year. We would like to take 1-2 weeks to do this trip, and will be driving a Pajero and a Landcruiser with an Aussie Swag, and an Ultimate. The route we would like to take is as follows:
From Corryong to Mt Pinnibar then onto Tom Groggin, and the Davies Plain track. Then McCarthys track, Limestone Creek track, Native Cat track and Nunniong Rd to Omeo.
From Omeo, the Victoria River track, Dinner Plain track, Birregun Rd, Stock Route Spur track and Upper Dargo Rd to Farm Junction.
From Farm Junction, McMillan Rd, Racecourse track, Cynthia Range track, Wombat Range track, Zeka Spur track and Brocks Rd to Mansfield.
I would like to know if it is possible to do this trek with the camper trailers. I have done a forum search and read that the Mt Pinnibar to Tom Groggin track could be a bit 'hairy' with a camper trailer, but I can't find much information on the rest of the trip.
Any help would be appreciated.
Leanne
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Reply By: you eat the bear - Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 12:58

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 12:58
Hi Leanne.

Did Mt Pinnabar, Tom Groggin and Davies Plain a few months ago. There were a couple of trailers on the track. Its steep and rocky in places but in pretty good condition and no problem in the dry.

If it gets wet then it could be another story.

Hope this is of some use

Steve
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Follow Up By: Member - Leanne W (NSW) - Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 13:49

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 13:49
Hi Steve,

Thanks for the information. I thought we may have to go to Tom Groggin along the Alpine Way, but from what you say if it is dry we could probably go via Mt Pinnibar.

Leanne
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Follow Up By: you eat the bear - Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 21:27

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 21:27
You may also be interested in the forum information here:
http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=1655.0

This covers trips in that region last year from Oct on if I read it correctly.


Steve
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Follow Up By: Member - Leanne W (NSW) - Monday, Sep 21, 2009 at 10:17

Monday, Sep 21, 2009 at 10:17
Thanks Steve, I will have a look.
Leanne
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Reply By: Member - MUZBRY(Vic) - Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 14:11

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 14:11
Gday
Going up Zeka track might stop you and the camper .
Murray
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Follow Up By: Member - Leanne W (NSW) - Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 14:14

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 14:14
Hi Murray,
Can you elaborate? I had heard that there are some tight "switchbacks" in places - is that the case with Zeka Spur track?
Thanks
Leanne
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Follow Up By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Monday, Sep 21, 2009 at 12:47

Monday, Sep 21, 2009 at 12:47
I'd concur.
There are some tight rocky switchbacks on that spur track.

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Reply By: Member - MUZBRY(Vic) - Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 14:21

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 14:21
Gday leanne
I haven't been there for a couple of years , and i remember that it was very steep and switch backs are tight. There is a big rock in the middle of one corner on the way up and we had to straddle the rock and turn at the same time. Brother changed his clothes after that corner as he could only see down the side of a very steep hill.
Murray
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Follow Up By: Member - Leanne W (NSW) - Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 14:24

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 14:24
Thanks Murray.
Very helpful. Looks like we will have to rethink that section of the trip!
Cheers
Leanne
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Reply By: Member - MUZBRY(Vic) - Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 14:31

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 14:31
Gday
Ask 'Cackles' or Robin Miller. I think both have been there this half year.
Murray
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Reply By: Crackles - Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 17:16

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 17:16
Gaday Leanne. This is a perenial question that's hard to give a definative answer.
With the track conditions the way they were prior to the seasonal closures, I'd say that route is possible for an experienced driver in the DRY. Of course the problem is knowing how much rain you'll get while on the trip particually as it's possible for it to snow in the High Country even at Christmas.
Key sections of difficulty (in the wet) are the drop off Pinnabar towards Tom Groggin, a couple of the climbs on the Limestone Creek track, the climb from Pioneer Racecourse to Cyththia Range, the decent off the Wombat Spur & the climb about half way up Zeka spur. The trick when it does rain is knowing which tracks are safe to tow on & when to turn back.
Another problem you could have late November is high river levels partcually the Buckwong, Dargo, Crooked & Wonnangatta rivers. Have seen them all sweep cars away at that time of year although so far this season it's looking dryish. Something to check the week before you go.
The Pajero towing the Aussie Swag may have quite a few clearance issues particually with the long low drawbar dragging on the hundreds of errosion ditches.
My recommendation for towing campers in the High Country is to take the easier tracks to base camps then do day loops from there particually if not familiar with the route. In the wet campers can be exciting to tow :-)
Cheers Craig............
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Follow Up By: Member - Leanne W (NSW) - Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 17:27

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 17:27
Hi Craig,
Thank you for your detailed and informative reply. Do you think that the 'switchbacks' are too tight to tow a trailer?
We had thought of setting up camp at a particular place then just driving along the track as a day trip to check we could tow the trailers further, just like you suggest. It is sounding like the best thing to do.
Thanks again for your reply.
Leanne
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 18:00

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 18:00
There are a few switch backs that would require a jack knife turn but that route is more than drivable with a trailer. Many hundreds have certainly done so in the past. If the drivers are confident, vehicles capable & it's not too wet then give it a go. Obviously change your route if having trouble.
Always difficult to recommend not knowing the experience of the driver & condition of the car. (eg: Road/mud tyres)
You will find some say it's quite easy towing in the HC but then over the last few years it has been particually dry.
Cheers Craig............
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Follow Up By: Member - Leanne W (NSW) - Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 18:10

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 18:10
Thanks Craig.
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Follow Up By: Member - MUZBRY(Vic) - Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 19:42

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 at 19:42
Gday Craig
I hope you didn't mind me dobbing you in .
Murray
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