Cattlewater Pass - what's the track like??

Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 19:14
ThreadID: 58608 Views:3094 Replies:6 FollowUps:5
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Evening all,

Question for those around Alice Springs area - we are travelling through that way after the gathering at Innamincka and I'm wondering about driving from Alice along the Ross H'Way to the Artlunga Hist Res and then connecting with the Plenty H'Way via "Cattlewater Pass Track". We are driving the Nissan Patrol and towing the Trak Shak
Is the Cattlewater Pass "road" suitable for the tow or should we consider a different way of getting to the Plenty???

Less than 4 weeks now folks til Innamincka - provided not too much more rain out that way

Cheers
John T (Lifetime Member)
VKS-737 Mobile 2619
Selcall 2619
"Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours" - Richard Bach in "Illusions"

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Reply By: Gramps (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 19:29

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 19:29
John,

If you don't get an answer from "those around Alice Springs area", do a search on Cattlewater. There have been at least 4 threads on this subject in the last few months.

From my point of view you should have no problems with that rig [roviding you're careful and drive to the conditions. There's only one steep rocky section going north but it's not impossible.

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Reply By: Anthony (Vic) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 19:31

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 19:31
John T,

Last Dec we towed a camper trailer (Jayco Dove Outback) from Ross river to Gemtree via Pinnacle track instead of Cattlewater Pass track. Took about 4 hours.Pinnacle Track isn't particularly hard just slow going. I was told the Cattlewater Pass is harder or slower going than Pinacle track.

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Follow Up By: Member - John T (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 19:55

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 19:55
Thanks for the replies. I've done a search and I think we might take the Pinnacle Road instead - not into serious rough stuff or risking myself/ co driver or rig.

Cheers
John T (Lifetime Member)
VKS-737 Mobile 2619
Selcall 2619
"Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours" - Richard Bach in "Illusions"

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Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 20:16

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 20:16
Gday,
A mate went out there about 4 weeks ago and said is was pretty good. But we just had rain from at least Alice to Finke over the weekend and heard it bucked down around Aileron last Friday.
The forcast is for more rain over the next week or so.
Id see what the weather does between now and then. Unless we get heaps you shouldnt have a drama.

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - John T (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 20:37

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 20:37
Thanks mate. I'll see how i feel when we get to Alice

Cheers
John T (Lifetime Member)
VKS-737 Mobile 2619
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"Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours" - Richard Bach in "Illusions"

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Reply By: balko - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 21:32

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 21:32
Been down both in the last week and i would not take a high van down cattlewater due to fact that on the plenty hwy side there are deep wash outs that the track trys to go around. But are on a steep slope that a van could easily slip into but if your very experienced and not on your own you could give it a go the track gets heaps better about 30ks down where a grader has been doing work. After you go up the pinnicle and onto the plenty hwy you could go down about 4 ks to the gem fields (free camp) and leave the van there and go have a look down cattlewater theres a german guy there living in a bus he would look after your rig no worries and even show you how to fosick. (hes a good guy) The pinnicle track is heaps safer Cheers Tony ps dont waste $70 on gemtree gem tour buy a seive in alice and go yourself. PM me if your keen and i will explain how to do it in 2 min over the phone
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Follow Up By: balko - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 22:04

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 22:04
The steep section near the halfway camp has been graded its easy.
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Follow Up By: jdwynn (Adelaide) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 23:12

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 23:12
How to PM you Balko? We were to be there in July and certainly interested in any advice. cheers JD
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Follow Up By: balko - Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 08:37

Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 08:37
email me your ph number at balkoktm@ozmail.com.au Cheers Tony
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Reply By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 21:34

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 21:34
As long as there isn't much rains, you should be right with that rig. The steeper stony section wont be a problem. It's not that steep. The more difficult bit will be a little closer to Gemtree where the track gets sort of narrow and a bit overgrown and kind of confused with a creek bed.. This section isn't very long and you will get through it OK as long as the creek bit hasn't risen too much. I have never done it after significant rain so don't know what it would do. There's a good overnight campspot at N 23. 08.085 E134.33.94. Just next to a big red rock face which looks nice in the photos. About halfway between Arltunga and Gemtree.
AnswerID: 309111

Reply By: Member - Bucky (VIC) - Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 04:55

Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 04:55
John


We dragged our Trak Shak thru there in 06, ( the other way ) ,, no probs at all.

One "slightly challenging", spot but rest is OK ,,but your Patrol will shyte it in ( especially if you drop your tyre pressures to 20 psi )

Make sure that it hasn't been raining before hand though, of it could be interesting !

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Cheers Mate

Bucky
AnswerID: 309154

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