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| Palm creek drop in |
First thing in the morning we assessed the Palm Creek crossing, there was no water in bottom and the drop in & climb out were dry too so I figured at least it would grip. The drop in was very steep then the climb out was steep too and had crossed up ruts, resulting in some high front wheel lifts and only 2 wheels touched the ground most the way up. Thankfully Mitsubishi put some tight diffs in the challenger and it didn't hesitate, so long as I didn't. So we made it past Palm Creek, and that meant the rest should be passable, or by passable.
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| climbing out of Palm Creek |
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| early morning stretches |
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| taking a dip |
After lots more crossings, some deep creeks, lifting a wheel went from that's the first time to just a normal thing, everything fell off the dash, all the stuff in the back settled down and packed in tight on it's own. It's a little tricky to drive when the truck is on such an angle you got no idea whats in front if you, just keep it in low, keep your foot on the gas and hang onto the wheel. Surprisingly the roof rack was OK, I guess since it wasn't bolted down tight it just flexed and moved with the terrain.
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| Giant termite sky-scrapers |
At Dulhunty Creek for lunch and a swim, washing all the dust and mud off in a perfectly clear stream with what seemed like a concrete ford to cross it and nice deep swimming holes either side.
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| carnivorous picture plant |
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| two species of Carnivouris sun-dews |
We stopped in the middle of the creek and jumped in off the roof rack. Next to the creek I spotted some native carnivorous picture plants which are supposed to be rare, there are
lots up here.
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| Gunshot |
It was mid afternoon when we arrived at Gunshot Creek. found a spot next to the track and set up camp to give us time to assess the giant holes carved into the river bank, like a 4wd heaven, a play ground sand box for grown-ups to play with their big toys. About 3m deep and up to 10m long, should be called Gunshot Gorge. No one came through till the next morning, we sat there watching all the trucks for a couple hours, no one dared to do the vertical drop in but the other options aren't much better, option 2 still had big cruisers sliding in and winching out due to the steep drop in and deep ruts water and mud at the bottom.
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| Lance in Gunshot Drop |
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| Gunshot drop |
We decided after watching a few mid size trucks go through to take option 3, after lining up, one foot on the gas to stop in stalling and one on break to slow it down, but there wasn't much control on a clay drop off. 3m almost vertical, plunged nose into the mud at the bottom burying the bull-bar completely, hanging in my seat by the seat belt, i gave it some Hinu ,I mean acceleration and drove out of it, I love mud grip tyres.
The jerrycan holder at the back got bumped around a bit but didn't phase it. Along the deep muddy gorge to the perfect sandy bottom Gunshot Creek where we parked for a photo and to wash the mud out of the brakes.
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crawling out of the muddy canyon
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| The Challenger resquing another bogged truck |
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| Leaving our mark on the sovineer tree |
We Carried on along the track with several more rough crossings and Crystal clear creeks. Got to Cockatoo Creek where a local family in there Mitsi Pajero where bogged ,one back wheel was in a hole and completely buried. Looks like I have to get my nice clean snatch strap dirty, it's only been stowed in the truck unused for 4 yrs,damm.
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| lining up option 3 at Gunshot |
After gunshot Creek once we pulled them out we followed them to Cockatoo Creek,yet another prefect swimming spot
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| doing some more stretches |
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| splashdown |
We also meet some locals and I asked them about some bush tucker trees, and they showed us the "Woman Medicine Tree"like they knew I was looking for a good woman
. They said if you come to this tree say her name and carve her name into the trunk she will come find you even from the other side of the country and follow you everywhere like a dog, and you cannot get rid of her, so make sure it's the right woman. I'm not sure if they were pulling my leg or not but they seemed very genuine. I said I don't know her name and was thinking of writing any name (or a couple) and seeing who turned up lol. To which they replied, you can ferment the bark and wear it as cologne to attract them, or walk by her house and she will smell you and follow you.
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| Gunshot Creek |
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| swim Mitsy swim |
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| proof photo, we were here |
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| Fruitbat Falls |
We carried on along the Telegraph Track, it wasn't much further and we reached the Development Road, back to the red dusty corrugated highway. Not far to Fruitbat Falls,perfect and deserted. .Nice beautiful clear pool with a wide shallow waterfall, the river above the falls is shallow and wide for a long way above the falls allowing the water to warm up to perfect temperature at the falls. Found a nice spot to sit and relax for a free massage under the waterfall. The sun started getting low so we found a good camp spot, just past Fruitbat Falls, and through a long deep crossing where James stood on a turtle.
On to Free camp near Elliott Falls. and close by there was a large free camp in the bush. Awning tent, fire,chair,whiskey in a dirty tin cup watching
the sun set through the trees
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| James stepping on a turtle |
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| you are here |
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| The perfect break |
23:41
Lance Dean
