Cheers Adrian, we didnt quite make strickland...we killed a ranger transmission which resulted in about 3 hrs of winching and towing and cost us the track.
Anyhoo that being said, here is my 2c on the tracks we doddled about on. Vehicle range was from patrols on 35's, dual cabs on 32's and an older prado on 31 AT's
Big River rd - says it all...it's a well formed 2wd rd
Stockmans reward campsite - Not as big as I was expecting, it held 4 big groups while we were there. Toilets are immaculate. Ground is pretty chewed up and muddy. Tricky for tents. But recommended
Frenchmans Spur track - Easy to medium on the main track. The main track parallels the spurline, there are "horsetrack" straight line alternates that go straight up and over knolls on corners that are fun with a couple of good climbs amongst them. Guessing would be nice views if not foggy
Stuck our nose in boundary tk #2 (it's a short link to two mile) heading north, decided against it. Steep drop and all orange clay...skating rink if ever I saw one.
Two mile tk from south to North....very steep, reasonable grip, very picturesque in parts with tree ferns shading both sides. Would be extremely challenging going up and a very technical climb if travelling North to South.
Boundary Track again South to North. Interesting track. there is a medium track that winds itself around the ridges and spurs which is OK. But there is an alternate track that crosses the track and goes straight up the spurline....the straight line is a full on track - very difficult and I would strongly suggest 35's and lockers and winch as minumum. You can follow the winding version and pick and choose which crossover setion of the hard straight line you wish to tackle, which is what we did
Old Reefton Logging rd - South to North Panel scratcher - bush pin stripe stuff, very narrow in a couple of lower sections. Easy to medium track with solid base and a nice climb at the end
Logging Rd from spot heightMt Duffy - North to South - easy to Medium. reasonably steep 1st low and crawl down safely. Would be interesting in the wet trying to go up the opposite direction
Foley Ck Fireline - South to North. Slippery clay entry but only about 200m. Very good climbs and drops along the ridge, I'd rate it as medium. Cracking climb at the end just before the t junction.
Didnt make Donalds track, ran out of time....next time
Overall I would rate the area as medium if you are sensible, there are clearly alternate hard tracks and lines if that is your thing. Interestingly no mud, a bit of clay about but primarily shale rock and generally good tracks. If I think of anything more or any specific questions I'll try to add more.
Appreciate all the advice pre-trip.
Cheers
Bairdy
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