As an "adventure" rider it's refreshing to see a 4 wheeler talking about "not' spinning up and destroying the tracks 👍. We're heading down there around the same time as you were there.
Thoughts of getting a 2009 SH Subaru forester up there on stock suspension and Michelin LTX Trail tyres. Would need to air down for sure but not sure about gearing .
Could've been a copperhead snake. Great vid. We came up Sth Basalt to Blue Rag in the snow last year. Blue rag looks in really good nick atm. Might head up there next weekend.
slow and steady is always best, but I've seen vehicles on Blue Rag that really should never have left the black top. One time we got held up for 8 hours while they got winched out!
A quote from one of my maps. "Blue Rag Range Ridgeline is one of the most spectacular ridgeline drives in Victoria. In fine weather it is a drive not to be missed".