Cobbler Lake 2WD Access?

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Cobbler Lake 2WD Access?

Postby ryantmalone » Sat 10 Nov, 2012 1:47 pm

I'm considering a summer trip to Speculation, coming in from Cobbler Lake, and taking in the Razor and the Viking whilst I'm at it.

I've walked in this way before, however this was around 10 - 12 years ago, and I have no idea of exactly how bad the road conditions are on the way to Cobbler Lake, particularly the southern section from Bennies.

Last time, we managed in an old Kingswood and there were no problems all, however I am now driving a late 90's 6 Cyl Magna. I've heard that the road in gets quite rough for 2WD's, just wondering if anyone has any first hand experience driving the road fairly recently, and can comment on its condition, and whether or not it would be worth risking a 2WD trip to the lake.
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Re: Cobbler Lake 2WD Access?

Postby madmacca » Sat 10 Nov, 2012 3:08 pm

Can't comment about Cobbler Lake, but between Mt Koonika and Spec you would definitely need a chainsaw at the moment.
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Re: Cobbler Lake 2WD Access?

Postby ryantmalone » Sat 10 Nov, 2012 3:12 pm

madmacca wrote:Can't comment about Cobbler Lake, but between Mt Koonika and Spec you would definitely need a chainsaw at the moment.


Even back in the late 90's, the road from Cobbler Lake to Spec was a rough one. I'm just curious as to the condition of the road prior to Cobbler Lake.

I heard that there may have been some road works there leading into the start of 2012, but for the life of me, cant find an actual personal encounter!
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Re: Cobbler Lake 2WD Access?

Postby iGBH » Sat 10 Nov, 2012 3:54 pm

2wd to top turn off at lake is easy. May be a bit rough for last 200 metres down to lake. Usually 4wd from lake onwards. Road out to speculation is definitely 4wd.
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Re: Cobbler Lake 2WD Access?

Postby ryantmalone » Sat 10 Nov, 2012 6:27 pm

iGBH wrote:2wd to top turn off at lake is easy. May be a bit rough for last 200 metres down to lake. Usually 4wd from lake onwards. Road out to speculation is definitely 4wd.


Sounds great! Last time I was at the lake, we parked at the top of the lake anyway, without driving down to the lake.

I think the main thing that I am worried about is clearance, whether or not the standard clearance that you would find under your average 2WD sedan would be enough.
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Re: Cobbler Lake 2WD Access?

Postby north-north-west » Mon 12 Nov, 2012 6:45 pm

The road has been recently graded, even the wheel ruts into the Lake carpark are gone. You could almost drive a Ferrari up there.

And sod the chainsaw. You'd need half a dozen very large bulldozers and a ton of high explosive to drive up to the Speculation carpark last time I was there.
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Re: Cobbler Lake 2WD Access?

Postby ryantmalone » Mon 12 Nov, 2012 7:55 pm

north-north-west wrote:The road has been recently graded, even the wheel ruts into the Lake carpark are gone. You could almost drive a Ferrari up there.

And sod the chainsaw. You'd need half a dozen very large bulldozers and a ton of high explosive to drive up to the Speculation carpark last time I was there.


That's great to hear, I think I'll definitely be up that way early 2013 when I get a few days free. Been wanting to knock off the Razor and the Viking for a bit now.
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Re: Cobbler Lake 2WD Access?

Postby north-north-west » Mon 12 Nov, 2012 8:29 pm

Me too. Just did the Vikings, now it's only the Razor and Despair. Just have to get from Speculation to Viking Saddle and I've finally finished the AAWT.
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Re: Cobbler Lake 2WD Access?

Postby ryantmalone » Tue 13 Nov, 2012 6:38 pm

north-north-west wrote:Me too. Just did the Vikings, now it's only the Razor and Despair. Just have to get from Speculation to Viking Saddle and I've finally finished the AAWT.


Good luck with it! Walked out over Mt Despair and the Razor back in the late 90's. Its an ankle buster going over the Razor, but well worth it.
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Re: Cobbler Lake 2WD Access?

Postby Isis » Thu 15 Nov, 2012 8:34 am

Thank for the update on the track.
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