Sandy Trail   (2.00km)

Notes:

Depending on where you look and who you ask the actual section of trail called "Sandy Trail" can be quite different, even some online maps change the name of the trails in the area depending on how far you zoom in or out - which doesn't help at all!  It also doesn't help that the Ryland Track is by far and away the most sandy trail in the area which leads some people to assume that Ryland is the Sandy Trail.  Not So.  We've done our best to simplify the trail names and put together the most accurate reflection of trail names based on all the info we could find.  Read here to see how we came to naming the trails. 

The entrance to the Sandy Trail (Killawarra Rd, Duffys Forest)  is not so obvious as it looks like a drive way (its the dirt road one up from 273).

About 50m down a sealed section drops away very steeply, watch your speed as the road gets littered with branches and the transition to dirt at the bottom is heavily rutted and potholed with plenty of large loose rocks.  (Going the other way you will be doing VERY WELL to climb the hill especially considering the energy expended to have got you that far.)

There is a narrow section around the gate to the right before the trail heads into a set of bends.  Warning .. at the bottom of these bends you will probably find some very long and deep mud pools absolutely festering with runoff from the horse studs.  FESTERING!  Try and keep the splash to a minimum and what ever you do don't put your foot down!!  Do what ever you can to avoid riding through the mud and water or you will stink like manure.  It's way worse than the Cullamine Track.  I don't plan on riding this trail again until the middle of summer after a very long dry spell, however at the time of writing tonnes of sandstone and sand have been dumped at the north end of the Larool Trail for this exact reason so maybe they will do the same here.  But until then .. you've been warned!

After clearing the bog of eternal stench the trail starts descending quite rapidly.  At the time of riding the trail was pretty free of ruts but the large loose rocks on loose dirt on the steep and sometimes blind water bars will really keep you on your toes (the climb the other way will probably result in some walking).

Just as you're getting into the downhill rhythm the trail heads turns upwards with some equally treacherous climbs.  A 50m climb on loose sandy dirt over only a few hundred metres was too much for my legs and I was forced to walk a few small sections.  Once up the steep sections the trail continues to climb gradually for some time, but a few small dips give a little reprieve.

After clearing the peak the trail descends rapidly down to the Cooyong Track.  This descent was quite fun.  A number of small water bars and a generally open track makes it easy to pick up speed confidently but the last corner is quite tight and sandy so be ready to go hard on the anchors.

The Cooyong Track is one water bar after the tight left turn.  From here you have three options:

1. head right down to Kierans Creek via the Cooyong Track and then back up toward the Ryland Track
2. continue straight ahead on the Cooyong Track toward Cooyong Rd
3. turn around and go back from where you came .. seems a bit pointless tho.

Overall this track is a challenging fire trail, not dissimilar to Duckholes.  Some steep descents and climbs with some very loose rocks and the occasional sandy patch ads to it's charm.  It doesn't seem to attract much traffic however I have seen runners, walkers and heard plenty of stories about horses on this trail.

Remember if you see horses on the trail you should stop well in advance and ask the horse rider if you should wait or cycle on.  This is the correct and safest way to approach horses on your mountain bike.

It's definitely worth the ride but is majorly let down by the festering pools at the top end. (Why aren't they required to put in catchment pits?)

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