Julimar Night Drive / Weekend trip

 

People arrived

for the Julimar night drive weekend trip which was on the 12-13 October 2024 at the agreed meeting point at Muchea BP.  As final refreshments were purchased, the pleasant temperature tempted some to enjoy a refreshing ice cream before the briefing began.  Just as we were about to set off, a last-minute dash back into the servo for some crumbed sausages proved too tempting for a few.

 

The Route Taken

Leaving BP Muchea roadhouse, we made our way to Ferguson Road in Julimar, where we left the tarmac behind for gravel. Upon reaching Julimar, we aired down our tyres in a safe spot that also allowed other vehicles to pass. It didn’t take long to encounter our first obstacle, and Keri, was the first in. Like water off a duck’s back—no problems! The rest of the convoy followed suit with ease.

 

The Route taken

 

Once on the track, the conditions were challenging but manageable with careful assessment and caution. Several muddy sections and deep water holes required a strategic approach. Recent rains had left the trails slippery yet exciting—perfect for testing our 4x4 skills. Everyone tackled the mudholes with enthusiasm, laughing as vehicles splashed through the puddles. Recovery gear was on standby, but thankfully, no major recoveries were needed.

The group consisted of Hynek in his red Jeep, JP in his Toyota 150 Prado, Keri in her mighty N70 Hilux, Zeljko in his very capable FJ Cruiser, and the trip manager, Gilbert, in the trusty 120 Prado. After the briefing, we headed off to Julimar State Forest. With about 90 minutes until sunset, our night drive adventure was soon to begin.

 

Keri going through the first water hole

 

The trip was rated Grade 3, meaning the tracks were generally manageable but required careful navigation and precise tyre placement in some areas. The recent rains have made sections of the trail muddy and slippery, with several bog holes requiring caution rather than brute force to cross.

 

A Water Hole

While the conditions weren’t overly difficult, they provided a great opportunity for both experienced and newer members to refine their 4x4 skills. There was plenty of fun as vehicles splashed through water holes. Though recovery gear was on standby, no major recoveries were required. The trip offered a great mix of challenge and enjoyment, making it an excellent introduction for those new to off-roading while still interesting for experienced drivers to share their knowledge.

 

JP driving through one of the water holes

 

 

The Adventure in the Dark

As night fell, the drive became even more exhilarating. The darkness made the hills and descents seem more daunting than they actually were, adding to the thrill. Navigating in the dark led to a few wrong turns and a dinner break somewhere… out there. After another two hours of driving, Gilbert found a suitable camping area, and the campfire was lit.

JP and the Prado doing what Prado’s do

 

Good stories were shared around the fire, with laughs and experiences exchanged. It turned into a late night for all—or the half glass full scenario, an early morning. What time did we finally go to bed? 2 AM...

The night sky changes from day to night

 

Day Two – A New Set of Challenges

The second day started early with a hearty breakfast and a quick vehicle check. The plan was to tackle some of the more challenging tracks, including steep climbs and descents.

However, we ran into an issue with JP’s Prado—the air con unit wasn’t working correctly. After about an hour of troubleshooting (mostly Zeljko giving a lesson on electrical diagnostics and sequence checks), the AC compressor clutch relay was swapped out, and the issue appeared resolved. With that sorted, we resumed our morning drive.

The Camp site in the morning

 

Above the rare pictures of a Prado with the bonnet up!

 

 

Long Water Trench

The morning started off with multiple water crossings.  One after the other.  Some short, some long, some deep.

 

Some puddles were deceptive—not deep, but offering zero traction. Hynek attempted one such bog hole. Though it wasn’t particularly long, there was simply no grip. Like all good scouts, he had prepared for the worst by keeping the recovery strap in the driver’s seat, ready to be passed out the window and already fixed to his recovery point. To quote Hynek: “That was the fastest recovery I’ve ever had.” It took about two minutes to tow the Jeep out.  The seven "P's"

Gilbert with recovery gear ready for the Jeep.

Keri’s Hilux ready to tackle this long section of slush…

 

Gilbert traversing a long trench of water

 

Dummy Spit Hill – The Ultimate Test

The track dried up quickly, and soon, it was time to tackle some steep hills. One of them, known as “Dummy Spit Hill,” was steep, long, slippery, and completely rutted out. As we approached, Zeljko pointed out an upcoming descent without even having scouted the area, purely by reading the map contours. Seizing the opportunity for a learning moment, the trip manager asked him to explain this method. Zeljko provided a valuable lesson on reading topographic maps, explaining how to interpret elevation changes and predict upcoming terrain features—an especially useful skill for night driving.

The hills were composed of loose gravel and rocky terrain, demanding careful throttle control and precise wheel placement. Guides were positioned as needed, and everyone successfully navigated the challenges. The descents were equally thrilling, requiring steady use of low-range gearing and brakes to maintain control. Before tackling Dummy Spit Hill, a foot recce was conducted to assess the terrain and anticipate obstacles.

Kerri make her way down on one of the steep lose descents. A photo never does it justice.

After a morning filled with excitement, the trip concluded with plenty of laughs and lessons learned, we all set off for home but not before stopping at the Gidgegannup Bakery & Cafe , wrapping up a successful weekend with all eating some form of a pie, coffee or other good treats from the bakery. With such a great experience, the club will definitely be planning more night drives in the future!

The crust!

 

Gilbert Karel