Edit : This run ended up essentially being scrapped due weather. rodthehornet ran solo from Woodford, but not along the Oaks trail. He ended up running less than he'd planned due to the high rivers and continuing heavy rain. Others completed their own runs at various places nearer to their homes. I didn't even run!

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Stay tuned to this forum for changes due to the water level at Glenbrook causeway.

Time: 6.00am
Date: Saturday 9th February 2008
Where: Glenbrook Train Station Carpark Glenbrook Ranger Station/National Park Entrance
Distance: 28 26 km one way to Woodford Train Station the top of the Oaks Fire Trail, 56 52 km return. Option to turn around at any point to make your own distance. The finish will be at the causeway in Glenbrook National Park.

Drinks:
No water along the course. There is a tap on the platform at Woodford Station to refill before the return to Glenbrook. There is also a tap at the top of the Oaks Fire Trail, which is now the planned turn around point (thanks scurry).

Maps:
Not needed. Follow the road from the station to the Glenbrook Ranger Station. From there, follow the road and the Oaks Trail to the end. Turn around at Woodford Train Station and return to the beginning, or catch a train (which come about every 30 minutes). It is very straightforward, if you have any doubts about getting lost, I can explain more clearly on the day.

Course Description:
Apart from a few ups and downs at the very start and towards Woodford (where there are some quite steep but short ups and downs) the course is a gentle uphill run to Woodford (and downhill on the way back). Mostly on wide, good quality firetrail. Some, however, is fairly rough.

I'll provide some snakes and cool drinks at the finish, with lunch available in one of the many cafes in Glenbrook.

I couldn't make the Australia Day Fatathon or the Megalong Mega, so this is my final big run before the Six Foot Track. See you there if you can make it.

The changes here are thanks to the success of the Aus Day Fatathon and Rod who made the suggestion to me (and scurry who pointed out that there is a tap at the top of the Oaks Trail, meaning there is no need to go the Woodford Station to refill). These changes will cut about 4 km off the total distance, will allow a swim at the causeway and will mean we can hide a drinks esky at the causeway full of ice cold coke, etc.

One of my favourite runs so I will likely be a starter.

There is a water tap at the top of the run at Woodford, at the entrance to the National Park.

I'm definately interested. I will be missing the Megalong Mega as well so this could fit in nicely as a last long run before 6ft.

Will be there.

Hornet

Three weeks in a row, my wife would kill me.
So I have to say I will not be able to make it.

Hope you have fun.
But the next two weekends should be good.

Brick

If I can't make the mega I might try to work out what time to start at Woodford to finish about the same time as everybody else - probably about 5.30 ( as that is the other possibility of course as the undulations/hills are closer to Woodford and Glenbrook and I wouldn't want to do more than 28 k)

all the best
David

Very tempted..................

Probably won't do the full distance, but something nearer to 30 would be good - perhaps one way might be the go, or just a shorter out and back.

Also depends on how I pull up from the Megalong Mega the week before, but yes, I hope to be there!

Very tempting, however will probably have to miss this one. Did the FatAss Australia Day run this morning (baby 30k option) and whilst I enjoyed the change, I really don't think doing my long runs on the trails is going to be good training for Canberra Marathon. Too much walking for my liking, so the average pace is a lot slower.

Have a great time

Want to do it, but can't give up another Saturday as the kids have missed 3 weeks of Little A's because of me. I might do it solo on Sunday instead. Sorry mate.

I'm not a definite yet, will have to see what my program looks like from my coach. I think that might be the week I do a long run every day. Might be there for the one way I think. Will post closer to date.

Cheers
Becky...

I failed to mention, although David has, that another option is to start at Woodford. I guess that I will be at Woodford in about 3 hours (9 am), but I imagine shogun and rod may be closer to 2 hours 30?

I'm glad there is some interest, even though it comes after two big fatass runs.

Hello,

How would you rate this route in terms of difficulty for somebody wishing to go beyond the marathon distance on trails for the first time?

The first half of the run up is just constant uphill but not at a steep grade, then you get 12k of undulating trail but again more uphill than downhill, but is completely runnable, except maybe one hill (suicide corner). The beauty of this run is your return trip. The first 12k is undulating but you can come home safe in the knowledge that the last 12 or 13k is all nice groomed trail, dirt road and down hill. It's a great way to finish your first ultra run. All in all no tougher than last weeks Australia Day Fatass, just longer.

I will start at the park entrance/NPWS hut????? I tend to get to the causeway and have a massive shutdown with the sight of the swimming hole. Dont fancy the extra 1.5km walk back to the rail station.

If you keep the same start spot I will say g'day at the carpark and then drive down to the ranger hut. Just a bit of forward planning on my part. I know how I will feel after 56kms and the swim will work wonders.


Cheers
Rod

Please see the first post for some minor changes which should make for a much improved day. Thanks for the suggestions.

I am hoping to run it this Sunday morning as I won't be able to run Megalong as planned due to commitments in Singleton later in the day. Looking forward to it as I enjoy pushing myself on the way up knowing that I will be able to turn around and the running will be easier on the descent.

I always enjoy passing a few Mountain Bikers on their way up too!

This is tempting but I am scheduled to do the Striders 6ft training run that day. Also, not sure about 52k a week after Megalong Mega. Will leave until next year.

Have fun everyone.

I agree Rod, swimming pool is far to tempting on a day like this.
I was supposed to go hiking this weekend but my mate has injured himself so its looking unlikely
in which case I will be definately keen for this one...

Will let you know next week.

Innes

I am a definate for this and looking forward to the return trip.
I will be travelling up from Concord and looking at approx 5 hrs for 52 k's so
PM me if anyone needs a list.

Cheers
Innes

or a lift??


I am really hoping to do a sensible distance - might well try to find a watch that works and do 2h30 up and then turn round - wherever I get to - somewhere around 30k would be nice I think after the past 2 weekends of fatassing.

I hope to get the car there by 6am - less likely to get lost than in Blackheath environs.

David

Looks like it will be pretty muddy out there. Saturday's forecast is more showers (just like the rest of this week).

Here's who I'm expecting at this stage:

G2W2G 52km
inganbangan
shogun
gogirl
rodthehornet
Innes
Becky O (possible)

G2?2G 30ish km
Coolwalker David
Koala1 (possible)

I really missed your lift up to the mega this year Ben - but I should be able to make it to Glenbrook OK without getting lost twice.

This will be my last trail hit out before deciding whether to enter 6 foot so I should do 32k I suppose -

Who knows - I might also do a diversion on the cycleway on the way up and try to do the path from Glenbrook turn off on the way down - a bit like the caves rd path.

If it is raining I might also be a wimp

All the best david

Still OK for weekend, though the swim option may be mandatory for all with the rain we are getting. Innes, I might try and keep you company for some/all of the run.


Hornet

I have my program and I will be there for the one way W2G option. Will get the train up and try and be there for around 8.30 - 9.00.

Cheers
Becky O...

Stop Press: National Park Ranger rescued from his vehicle, caught in flash flood in Causeway. You didn't hear it from me.

If it rains all week you might want to come up with an alternative. Consider Woodford to Glenbrook to Woodford, as you may not get across the Causeway.

Think I'm probably out.

I'm coming down with something and should probably rest up. Felt pretty strange on the Megalong Mega yesterday - worse today. Can't remember the last time I was sick, so have probably been overtraining lately. If things improve, I'll let you know.

Have fun out there - although from Scurry's post, sounds like it could be interesting with all the rain........

I'll speak to the National Park closer to the time. If it's not too deep I guess we can go as planned, else we'll reverse it (meaning no water will be available half way through, except of course at the causeway).

Along with rod I'll aim to stick with Innes for a 5 hour round trip.

Stay tuned for any changes.

Inganbangan, I can get down there on Friday and check the Causeway out for you.

I just spoke to the National Park. Currently the water is at 0.5 metres, but it peaked at 1.5 m! Their advice was that anything above 0.6-0.7 metres would be risky to try to wade/swim across due to the speed of the flow.

With the forecast rain in the next couple of days I will call again on Friday at noon (that's the latest I can post a decision as I'm heading to the SCG for the cricket). If it's looking dicey we'll reverse the run, disappointing as that will be, we don't want anyone injured or worse.

Scurry if you can take a look on Friday that would be great. Thanks.

I quite like the idea of starting in Woodford and running down the Oaks. We could loop down Bennetts Ridge into Euroka (following the Woodford Classic route) and head back up to Woodford.

I like to make things harder....

What does everyone else think?

Cheers
shogun

I like to make things easier! If the water level's down then I'll stick with the original plan, otherwise that route sounds good shogun.

The latest list, pending knowing the start and finish locations.

Roundtrip 52km
inganbangan
shogun
gogirl
rodthehornet
Innes
tez (not a coolrunner, friend of inganbangan)

30ish km
Coolwalker David

W2G (if able) 28 km
Becky O

hmmm - my time frame has got tighter and I'm not sure about doing the reverse - might have to find some other way of doing it - but I need the hillwork this weekend - lovely rain - be nice - lovely rain -

hmmm -

oh well - it was a great idea Ben and hopefully still is

David

Sounds like a plan. Would love to join you all, pulled up really well after the Megalong Mega.
So another weekend run.
Only looking at doing W2G and was planning to do this run later this year.

Just to confirm where is everyone starting from.

odski

Hi I am interested in doing part of the run, perhaps 30kms (~ 3hrs is how long I would run for) so how far I would get in 90 minutes then turn around and return). Starting at Glenbrook

okski and Rickie, great to have you join us. The start/finish location is yet to be confirmed due to the water level at Glenbrook causeway. If it is too high to safely cross, we won't be able to start or finish at Glenbrook. In this case we will start and finish at Woodford, at the start of the Oaks Trail. Unfortunately this doesn't allow a one way trip for people who want it (Becky O and odski).

I will post here later today. Scurry is also going out of his way to check the causeway for us (and he's not even running, thanks scurry). Stay tuned for word from scurry and I. Also pray for no more rain (because I want to run from Glenbrook, and because I'll be sitting in the rain at the cricket this evening).

The latest list, pending knowing the start and finish locations.

Roundtrip 52km
inganbangan
shogun
gogirl
rodthehornet
Innes
tez (not a coolrunner, friend of inganbangan)

30ish km
Coolwalker David
Rickie

W2G (if able) 28 km
Becky O
odski

The water at the causeway is at 1.5 metres. The location has changed to Woodford. The only thing that will enable us to run at Glenbrook is if scurry posts this evening after looking at the causeway and decides it is possible to cross safely, in which case we will stick with the original plan.

Time: 6am
Where: The Oaks Fire Trail, Woodford. Near Taylor Road and Parker Street,
Distance: about 52 km, or any out-and-back distance you like
Route: See post #1 for details of the terrain. The fully monty option will run down the oaks trail and take Bennet's Ridge on the right (as per the 'Careflight' Woodford to Glenbrook Classic), pass through Euroka campground and return to the main road. A left turn there will return up the oaks trail to the start.
Aid: There is no water or food available except at the start where there will be an esky with some drinks and snakes.

Sorry for the late changes, but there's nothing I can do about it Hope you can all still make it.

Sorry guys I'm out! Not due to the weather but I have other commitments to attend to.

Have fun everyone!

Damn....
was wanting to run this the other way as 52 k's is a long way with no water...
How about we meet at 5:30 at the Glenbrook National parks entrance, check out the causeway and if unhappy we head up to woodford?
Or we can rely on Scurry if he is kind enough to check this out maybe this afternoon.
Otherwise, can someone post directions to the woodford start?
Bloody weather is starting to annoy me...

I'm relying on the parks dude who I spoke to. They are confident the water won't drop to a wade/swim-able level until Sunday. We'll go with scurry's opinion. I'm bummed about it too, it's a bit of extra time to drive up there and back in an already busy day, plus the no water thing is annoying. Hey, at least it won't be too hot.

Hi guys - stay safe out there and please don't take unnecessary risks with the causeway - theres just been too many news items lately about people being swept away by flooded rivers.

Have a great run and hope to see you all at Six Foot.

G'day, it's 12.10pm now, I am leaving now to the Causeway, I should be back and post on conditions by 1pm.

Sorry Ben - the last few days of wet feet - air conditioners set at mid summer levels etc etc has reactivated whatever it was I thought I had got over ( or of course activated something else) plus the potential extra trip up to Woodford means I guess I might well miss out on this Saturday. I will see how I feel so might well be there anyway - but I am more an off chance than a certainty now.

sorry as it was a great idea and well timed

david

Sorry, got delayed.

There is no way you can cross at the Causeway. The level indicator was almost completely swamped, the creek is running very quickly. The risks involved would be too great and if it rains tonight the level might even go up.

If you are going to start at Woodford and do the reverse loop, you might want to take a couple of 600ml bottles and hide them either at the HeliPad (halfway) or near the Bennetts Ridge Trail entrance and get them on the way back.

Thanks scurry - really great of you to do this

David

Thanks Scurry

I must admit, I am starting to wonder about a 4 -5 hr hitout nearer to home based on the logistics of this.....even considering a trip from the tree to cox's...

sorry to put a damper on things.

anyone still keen to run this reverse loop?

sorry guys

I am out !!

I am sticking closer to home for a 3-4 hr hit up round Lane Cove.

next time.

Travelling to Woodford is a bummer. If I am going to travel to Woodford, I have another loop in mind I am keen to do rather than an out and back on The Oaks.

I will probably do Ingar FT from Woodford up to Wentworth Falls and come back via Andersons FT to Woodford. It should be about 50km and most of the route is only crossed once. Only wet issue will be down at the two creek crossings near Woodford, but shouldnt be too bad.

I will still meet you all at the rail station on southern side at 5.45am.



Cheers
Rod

I'm out as well, not keen on the Woodford start. Best of luck to the remainder. The weather here (Blaxland) is not looking promising.