SOTA Mt Tumanang VK2/SM-049

I've been meaning to give SOTA peak Mt Tumanang VK2/SM-049 a try but been put off by the description of the rough Cowangerong Fire Trail. VK1MBE Andrew mentioned a better access method using South Forest Way, so gave this a try.

Drove out to Captains Flat from home in Canberra, taking about an hour. Drove past the Cowangerong Firetrail, and took the next road on the right, South Forest Way. This was a well maintained unsealed road, able to make good speed. Looking at the map, decided to cut across to Cowangerong Firetrail using Gum Creek Rd off to the right.

Gum Creek Rd was a bit rougher... narrow and slow going. There were a few deep puddles to cross, but no real problems. Quite a pretty drive in places with tree ferns. Joined up to the Cowangerong Firetrail, about 5 Km South of Mt Cowangerong, VK2/ST-001.

Found that I hadn't missed the rough bits... lots of dirt mounds to carefully drive slowly over. My Nissan Xtrail has a fair ground clearance but sure there were some hits underneath...Eventually reached the end of the Cowangerong Fire trail, joining the Tumenang Firetrail, thankfully wide and smooth. Note the sign for Tallaganda NP, this only applies to bush on the right side of the road.

A few Km down the fire trail found my way blocked by a large logging truck, and a grader. They were harvesting trees on the non National Park side of the road. Spoke to the driver, who said there was a road closed sign, but I missed seeing this the way I had come in. They had certainly not come the way I did! Anyway he backed up to a point where I could pass and continue.

The fire trail enters the park completely and I parked on a bend to the North of the summit. From here about a 600 m climb to the top, with an 80 m rise. See map.

Fairly light scrub, in 15 minutes reached the trig. A large rocky trig with a big disk on top. Typical of the ones in this area. 

Set up the squid pole on a stump just down from the trig.

Shack on the tarp. The sun came out but it was still cool at altitude, about 15c.

Got on 40m. Found some activations just packing up so a bit of a quick round to grab them before they went clear. Worked VK5PAS/3 Paul and VK3QB/p Chris in VKFF-0749 Shallow Inlet Marine Park with strong signals.

Then worked Peter VK3PF/p and Sergio VK3SPG/p on SOTA summit VK3/VT-071 Mt Square Top, also just about to go clear.

Worked Wade VK1FWBD/p on VK1/AC-037 with a good signal.

Spotted myself on 7.095 after Peter/Sergio were gone and got a good pileup going. Usual chasers from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK7. 

Briefly tried 20m, only worked one chaser, the reliable John ZL1BYZ with a good signal. A total of 20 contacts made.

Packed up after lunch. Was just able to pass the stopped logging truck on the left side. Going back along the Cowangerong Fire Trail came behind a 4WD with a canopy containing several hunting dogs. A couple of the dogs jumped out into the bush and he stopped. He had some radio tracking device on them so left him to track them down.

Returned back the same way, the on to Mt Cowangerong Vk2/ST-001.