Cattlewater Pass
Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 11:03
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doctorI
Does anyone have an opinion on whether this track is best done North to South or South to North? We are planning to do it as a day trip from
Alice Springs soon so are free to travel either direction.
Thanks, Karen
Reply By: mfewster - Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 13:51
Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 13:51
I think it does make a difference. Going north to south later in the afternoon, the sun on the
views looks great, especially if the wild flowers are out. I would rather be looking at this through my front windscreen than looking back over my shoulder (It may vary somewhat at different times of the year. I've done it a few times around Sep/October) Good camping spot around 23.08.08 S 134.33.94E At the base of a big red
rock face which gives lots of shelter and backdrop for the photos.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: doctorI - Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 15:29
Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 15:29
Catching the late afternoon colour is a good point - and one disadvantage of the single day trip. Not expecting many wild flowers though. Average rainfall Springs for Feb and Mar is 49mm. This year we have had 6.2mm in that time and Arltunga has received even less.
Karen
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Reply By: mfewster - Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 15:51
Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 15:51
Trying to get the late afternoon sun and do it in one day would be a problem. I'd suggest 2 days, spending early part of day 1 around Gemtree and Ruby Gap, or just leave Alice later.
Camp at
the spot I suggested perhaps and give yourself time the next moring to wander around Arltunga. The museum and
ruins are
well worth some time and then you can pick up some of the other East Mac sights on the way back in the afternoon (if you haven't already done them.)
Ross River hometead (if now open again),
Ndhala Gorge (with some interesting indigenous art),
Trephina Gorge and Jacks
Water hole all worth checking.
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Reply By: Anthony (Vic) - Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 16:59
Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 16:59
Last December we travelled from
Ross River to Gemtree but did not go via Catlewater Pass on advise from
Ross River Resort.
Instead we took the track a bit further to the West of
Cattlewater Pass (but can't recall the name) which was ment to be a bit less rough. It still took 4 hours to get to Gemtree going the way we did.
Maybe you could call
Ross River Resort and ask them what the condition of
Cattlewater Pass is like?
cheers Anthony
AnswerID:
297604
Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 19:26
Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 19:26
Gday,
Id say the road you took was the Pinacle road?
Cheers
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Follow Up By: Anthony (Vic) - Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 21:59
Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 21:59
Thanks Hairy for the memory jog ....
Pinnacle track was the one.
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, Apr 10, 2008 at 08:29
Thursday, Apr 10, 2008 at 08:29
Gday Karen,
From your exploroz name, I'm guessing you work at the hospital. I met my wife at
Alice Springs Hospital in 1979, when I was a medical student, and went travelling on weekend day trips too. Had a quick look at the hospital last year on the way through.
We've done
cattlewater pass twice from the south in recent years. Nothing spectacular, but a nice piece of country through Harts Range. As mentioned, theres a short steeper section that none of us ever had trouble with. I don't think it matters which direction you come from, but if you come from the south, you might want to come back via the
pinnacle track, time permitting. We've camped at the
clearing at
cattlewater pass itself on both occasions.
Cheers
phil
AnswerID:
297718
Follow Up By: doctorI - Saturday, Apr 12, 2008 at 12:30
Saturday, Apr 12, 2008 at 12:30
G' Phil
Right conclusion but with the wrong logic.
I am the Doctor and I am Karen's hubby. I have a PhD in applied physics but don't work anywhere near the hospital. However, Karen does work at the Hospital (Pharmacist). So you are both right and wrong. -- Lesson -- Don't trust assumptions.
Anyway, we drove
the loop anticlockwise from Alice on Thursday with a bit of a look around Arltunga on the way through and a
lunch stop half way up the pass (going South to North). The scenery is just magic like most of the scenery around here. I did not need to lock the centre diff or use low range at all so it was a pretty easy track, it just has many sections with lots of friendly vegetation.
All up we had a good day except our 7yo daughter who refused to take a quell (motion sickness preventing tablet) and was subsequently car sick twice.
Doctor I
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, Apr 13, 2008 at 14:53
Sunday, Apr 13, 2008 at 14:53
Doctor I,
Thanks for the
feedback. Glad you had a good drive through Harts Range - Central Aus is certainly full of great
places.
Cheers
phil
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