River crossings on the road to the Cape
Submitted: Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 16:19
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johno59
We are planning a trip to
Cape York in about 8 weeks time and were wondering about river/creek crossings on the Developement Road. Are then many and how deep? Do we need a
snorkel fitted to out Landcruiser? Thanks johno
Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 16:35
Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 16:35
A Mini without a
snorkel will be fine.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome
AnswerID:
600431
Reply By: Idler Chris - Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 16:36
Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 16:36
You fit a
snorkel to reduce the dust going into your engine, being able to go into deeper water is the bonus. IMHO
AnswerID:
600432
Reply By: steved58 - Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 18:11
Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 18:11
Not needed for the development road however a trip into elliot falls and
fruit bat falls is a must the crossing into there when I was there in 2012 was at least 500 deep and as previously said they keep dust into the air cleaner down so I would fit one
Steve
AnswerID:
600439
Follow Up By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 20:11
Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 20:11
From the southern end of the PDR there are no water crossings to
Fruit Bat Falls, there is onto to
Twin Falls and the road north out back onto the PDR.
I was in a similar dilemma prior to going to the Cape last year (I didn't do the OTT). I'm glad I didn't waste money on a
snorkel, though I do my best to keep my Pajero out of water as other components besides the engine suffer from water in the long run. My vehicles do 300 000km before I sell them, I've never had problems from dust affecting my vehicles.
The road during peak periods certainly is dusty though, due to the volume of traffic not because of bulldust holes.
Just know how to clean your dust filter, do it at the top and on your return. If in doubt, buy an air filter and take it with you, you will always be able to use it at the next service interval anyway.
FollowupID:
869809
Reply By: Member - JOHN C16 - Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 18:17
Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 18:17
In eight weeks time a Landcruiser should not need a
snorkel for crossing creeks but would benefit from one to keep out dust from an endless procession of vehicles on the Development Road.
However the weather is doing unusual things.
In May I aborted a trip to the Simpson because it was too wet and headed up to the Cape because it was dry. That has to be an unusual statement.
The
Cape York wet season was unusually dry. However the start to the dry season has been wet.
Rainfall in the last 24 hours:
Weipa 68mm
Cooktown 211mm
Cairns 118mm
And more rain is forecast for the next 24 hours.
I am glad I am now in a cabin in
Cairns instead of my tent in
Cooktown.
Cheers,
John
AnswerID:
600441
Reply By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 18:20
Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 18:20
Not looking too good up that way........
click here.
AnswerID:
600442
Reply By: Member - Will 76 Series - Monday, May 23, 2016 at 23:09
Monday, May 23, 2016 at 23:09
Johno 59, very interested in your post and the reply's as we are also planning a trip up the Cape around the same time with three vehicles. An amazing amount of rain has fallen, so it will be interesting to see how long it goes on for as we plan to also do the OTT which could be very interesting! We will be monitoring the weather no doubt like yourself.
AnswerID:
600496
Reply By: Member - Warrie (NSW) - Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 21:50
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 21:50
Hi johno, go into
Places and type in Telegraph Track Sam Creek. This will bring up all the creeks that you cross. Has pix and details. Yes the Dry has turned wet this last week but
places like
Archer river roadhouse should have had a metre of rain Jan to end April but have only had 150 mm. They have only had 60 or so in the last few days - quite high for May but are still
well below average for the Wet.
It will be dry and dusty as usual by late July and crowded in the school hols. I will be doing the PDR again in a standard R50 2001 Pathfinder.... W
AnswerID:
600526