Wagga Wagga is ~450 km SW of Sydney, and the local council with local groups has helped with routing trails since the fire trails of Pomingalarna Park have been closed to vehicles.
From the "Trailmate": (
visit link)
"Review:
"Pomingalarna Reserve, on the outskirts of Wagga, is a mixture of pinch climbs, fast descents, twisty, tight corners, rock gardens, bridges and cool gullies, all nestled in amongst native vegetation. The main 12km, 6 Hour Enduro loop is 95% single-track and starts on the eastern side of the hill near the Golf Club, with a gentle winding climb through "Mechanics Pleasure".
"A short ascent along the summit fire road, brings you to the twisty single-track of the "Intestines" which is loose and rocky in parts, but is mostly well bedded down clay based soil. "Conrad Straight" will have you hammering hard into a couple of gullies, before scaling the "Seven Steps" and the hopping over logs, as you roll through "JS Bypass".
"Next is the newest section of track containing four bridge crossings, built to minimise erosion in the gullies and ensure longer term, trail sustainability. After passing "Barney's Rubble", crank it up into the big ring and enjoy one of the longest flowing sections of track on offer at Pomi, all the way down to "Spinal Tap".
"It's probably worth mentioning the small pinch climb up "Heartbreak Ridge" that appears in the middle of this section, but given the smile you will have on your face it will barely register on your radar. After "Spinal Tap" it's another short climb through the "Rock Garden" before descending down along the "Shooting Gallery", across "Priscilla's Straight?" and up through "Hells Gate".
"One of the most technical gullies to ride is "Dead Man's Gully" which also marks the beginning of the local's least favourite switch back climb, "The Esses", which takes you up to the "Crossover". From here it is the final descent - a fast, furious, fun, roller coaster ride with sweeping berms and deep gullies. With adrenaline still flowing, power it home through "Kangaroo Grove" and back to the golf club for a quiet beverage . . . .
"Source: Australian Mountain Bike Magazine - April 2011"
The MTB trails criss-cross multi-user trails (pedestrians and horse riders), so care is required when 'crossing paths'.
Parking: "There's a dirt parking area just off the Sturt Highway, just past Wagga City Golf Course. Turn North off the highway onto McNickle Rd, then first left. Road turns to dirt just past the golf course (don't use that) and parking is 100m or so further." (
visit link)
* Information of Trails, taken from maps at the start of the trails *
** The East Face ** 4.75 km, Intermediate; 10 - 20+ minutes
"It is what it is! The Wagga Wagga Six Hour Course … minus 8.25 km … and all on the East Side of the hill! Just the thing to get you in the mood and warm you up for an epic ride… or maybe just a short blast because your strapped for time die hard Stravaddict!
"Whatever the deal, it's 4.75 km of everything needed from this INTERMEDIATE trail: A winding 2.25 km climb up to the trail summit at "The Crossover" followed by a flowing 1.3 km descent into Brad's Little Pit, then 400 m to find your legs again and finally, that classic 800 m blast over "Home Run" and back to start it all again at "Ground Zero" … providing you are up for it! 77% sweet single track … 27% fire road!"
** Junior's Farm ** 2.53 km, Intermediate; 5 - 10+ minutes
"At 2.5 km in length, this INTERMEDIATE trail is short enough for parents to keep an eye on the kids and long enough for the little tackers to not get too tuckered out! The first half of the trail rises to a summit just above the fire road before descending almost all the way back to "Ground Zero". Primarily, a good trail to learn and practice your craft without having to delve too deep into the trail network on the west side of the range.
"A winding and flowing trail with almost all of the features necessary for a practice loop: logs, Rocks, switchbacks, short sharp rises, off camber trail, hairpins, a dash of fire road and even a bypass for those not too confident with the short, sharp pinch rise. 97% single track!"
** R.A.M.B.O. 2014 ** 8.20 km, Intermediate; 18 - 30+ minutes
"RAMBO is an INTERMEDIATE race course designed for the Riverina Alpine Mountain Bike Open Race Series, contested by six Mountain Bike clubs from Albury-Wodonga, Beechworth, Mount Beauty, Bright, Wangaratta and Wagga Wagga.
"Whilst the trail flows and rides nicely, novice riders will find it more of a challenge as it does become very narrow in some places and it does contain some technical challenges such as "JS Bypass" and the rugged reverse (to normal) climb up Mt Moorong Track, through "The Intestine" and "Dragon's Tail" to the trail summit at "The Leftover" (The Crossover). 95% single track with some technical surprises!
** STATE CUP ** 7.1 km, Intermediate; 15 - 35+ minutes
"Used for a round of the 2008 New South Wales Cross Country Mountain Bike Championship and only used for one club race thereafter.
"Since 2008, the trail has undergone some major changes with the southern extension of "West Side Story", the inclusion of "The Corkscrew", the realignment of "The Sand Trap", and the inclusion of "Bollywood Bowel". However, the notorious "Hei Hei My My Oh No" and the infamous and the original "Brad Pit" still continue to haunt those who have suffered from their hidden threat! Its a technical climbing up through "The Corkscrew" and up Mt. Moorong Track but the downhill on the west side is the sweet stuff that is talked about … until you turn hard right, staying on "Billy's Bypass".
"CAUTION!!! If you get too much air out of "Hei Hei", it will be "My My" and then "Oh No" as you could end up flattened and broken in "Brad Pit"."
** THE SCENIC ROUTE ** 7.8 km, Very Easy, Easy; 15 - 30+ minutes
"It all starts with the seemingly endless 3 km climb to the summit of Mt. Moorong. However, the grade is fairly easy but it does have two short pinch climbs: the first is at the Pomingalarna Trail Junction while the second will be the final climb of journey from the junction of the Western Fire Road and the Southern Fire Road to the Hairpin "Gate" which you will re-enter (previous used on the 3 km start climb), turning right, downhill onto the Wiradjuri Walking Trail and the only single track section of the 7.8 km trail.
"Please beware of walkers, ascending riders, runners & horse riders from the "Hairpin Gate" to the Information Shelter"
98% Fire Road and 2% wide single track
** THE OUTER LIMITS ** 7.00 km, Easy; 15 - 30+ minutes
"100% Fire Road throughout over a route that simply takes you around the perimeter of the park.
"Whilst the trail is primarily on Fire Roads, some of the roads at times can be more like fire breaks if a Council hired grader has been through on it's yearly pilgrimage for bush fire control and general maintenance. The trail is rated as EASY. however, novice riders or those not quite as fit as others may find the grade of the hills steep and the going is a bit tough but using very low gear and without overexertion, should see your way to the top of each ascent … but if all else fails … just walk! The final descent off Mt. Moorong from Inspiration Point is very steep so please ride within your limits!"
** GOBBAGOMBALIN (NOVICE) TRAIL ** 3.5 km, Easy; 8 - 15+ minutes
"90% sweet, flowing single track! Straight out of the oven and basically still Under Construction … but available and easy to ride!
"Probably best accessed via a drive west along the highway to the Western Trail Head. This trail is MTBWagga's first purpose built Novice Trail that is rated GREEN or EASY. Although the trail is still being "tweeked", it can be easily ridden with it's big radius corners and minimal climbing grade switchbacks that flow and roll across the Western Slope. The trail has a nice wide corridor and a wide tread, keeping the novice rider well clear of the trees ad making it a whole lot of fun for the more experienced peddler. We are promoting the trail as a multi-directional loop, so we ask all riders to be aware of immanent on coming traffic and the experienced riders be courteous to those learning the craft!"
** LEARNING CURVES ** 7.5 km, Very Easy, Easy; 16 - 40+ minutes
"Take the fire road for 2 km warm up of MTBWagga's and Pomingalarna's newest trail - The Gobbagombalin Trail - then return at a peaceful pace to try something a little tougher … or just do it all over again … or maybe do it in reverse as the single track is a short 3.5 km multi-directional loop!
"Beginning with the usual nice wide stroll up Summit Road, the course turns left at HPG (Hairpin Gate) and rolls over to the West Side with a short but steep descent over a few (gnarly/scary) drainage grade dips/humps en route to the Western Boundary. Turning right opposite the West Gate, you'll find the Gobbagombalin Trail. Although still under construction, you can ride it comfortably in either direction. The trail has a wide corridor and tread, big radius corners and a flat climbing grade that flows and rolls across the Western Slope. Looping back to the West Gate, follow the boundary road all the way home."
BTW, as I was returning from walking up to the Trig Point (Moorong), I noted a child, possibly 6 years old, taking off on his MTB catching up to his parent just up the hill.
Visited: Sunday, 23 April, 2017