Simpson Conditions

darren1, Here is a copy of an email to me from Ruth Doyle, onetime owner of Birdsville CV pk and long time resident of Birdsville, it tells the whole story. date 23/7/09.

"Hi Colin, stinking, dry, blowing dry winds, dry, rough as guts after this season, dry, foul, unpleasant, not nice. Sad thing is I’m not joking. Forgot to say hot and dry.
For a first experience of the Simpson I would rather you waited and came another time – I realise you can’t get away because of work – but the Simpson will always be there.
I was out there last week and couldn’t believe how cut up and rough as guts the QAA is and I only went to Eyre Creek and all around (had a really lovely day but it was very cold and clear and Eyre Creek is green as) but the rest of the Simpson is very very dry, no rain at all, only reason there is green is because there has been flood on parts of it.
There is no rain predicted in the next few months either – if there was it would improve the track and the dunes don’t have much vegetation on them.
Sorry Colin, not what you are wanting to hear I know – but I would not recommend it.
Best wishes, Ruth"

Cheers Colin.

Hi Darren. I note Ruth's email is dated late July, or some 5 weeks ago. The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge is on again this year, and is planned to leave Purni on 29th Sept via the Rig Rd to Warburton and on to Birdsville. We are told the Inner Track may well be still closed (ie from just North of Warburton to Birdsville), but that we should be able to run the event on our normal route using the Warburton Track out from Rig Road to the Birdsville Track.
Obviously, things can change, but that's our info as of last week.
But we are expecting very dry, soft sand, rather than 1m of water this year! It was 'interesting' last year, and they say it'll be more so this year. We had temps in the mid 40s and huge winds, and the track would disappear within minutes of a vehicle crossing the dunes. We had to walk a few dunes to suss out the safe route.
And we're daft enough to be going back this year.

Thanks for the replies. All info i have gathered is that warbuton is closed. I rang the pub at mugarannie and they confirmed this. Where did you get your info as it is a little light in the dark tunnel im in at the moment
Darren

Darren,
I went around the Rig Road and QAA a couple of weeks ago and it was in great condition. I've been across the desert by various roads over the past few years and it's comparable to other seasons. There's been rain through some of the desert and quite a few of the acacias and smaller wildflowers are in flower.
Eyre Creek is still flooded in parts (there are bypass tracks to get you around them) and looks beautiful with large expanses of water and heaps of birds. Driving in the sand was no worse than past years although it did take a few gos to get over the last few dunes on the rig road. Although there hadn't been many vehicles through so the loose sand was quite high and by October it should be knocked down a bit.
The QAA was busy (very noticeable after the quiet Rig Road) with too many people running on high tyre pressures chopping up the eastern faces of the dunes but that won't worry you if you are heading east.

My pics are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/LucasTrihey/SimpsonJulyAug09#

Don't let the grumblers put you off - the desert's in great condition :-)

If you want to get the latest info on the Warburton Crossing ring Travis Gilbey at Clifton Hills Station - he manages the property and the crossing is on his place - (08) 8675 8302. Not sure if he's still manager as I haven't spoken to them in a few years but if not just ask for the manager.

have a great trip.
Lucas

Thanks Lucas
Thats very good info. The funny thing is on our last crossing some years back it was wet when i started off then we had a couple of inches of rain at popel. We were solo and by the time we limped into birdsville all rds were closed and they remained like that for a few days. So ive seen it at its trafficable limit on the wet side, not the dry.
One thing i have been thinking about the warburton trail is that even if it opens now it my be un reconiseable due to drifts and lack of traffic.
Any thoughts any one?
thanks

Darren1
G'day
I came over the Simpson 2 weeks ago with a couple of vehicles.West to East via-
SpringCreek Track,French Line,Colson Track,Rig Road,Erabena Track,WAA Line,Knolls Track,French Line, K 1 Line and QAA Line.
It was pretty good going except one morning we were the first out and some of the tracks on the tops of the dunes were covered with sand and we had to walk up about 6 dunes to see what was over the other side..
Lots of greenery and bird life in the swales? around Eyre Creek..
When we got to the main crossing over the Eyre Creek there was no detour sign and the lead vehicle attempted to cross. He was driving a 200 Series LC.The water was half way up his doors and as he was going up the bank on the eastern side the clay bottom stopped him and he had to reverse back.We then did the 3 k south detour.He should have checked it out first..
It should be ok when you go in Oct but don't make the same mistake as we did.
regards
Jeff.O

Thanks everyone for the info. I was heading down Warburton because i will be towing a trailer and i think the qaa will be a bit much this late in the season. Now before i receive a lambasting, the reason i was taking the southern route is i have a good grasp on the set ups capabilities. I still have the option of skipping the traverse all together if conditions don't suit.
But if i can i will.
Any more info will be great
Thanks

Hi Darren,

We started a thread back on July, East to West or West to East, and were really discouraged to travel through the desert on our own in October.

We have made many calls and spoken with many people who have told us that all will be well. We did the strezleki, Birdsville tracks and out to Big Red in October last year and that was no problem.

We are leaving Cairns on October 1 and headed East to West towing an Ultimate so will see you out there somewhere.

If your not living on the edge you're taking up too much room :)

Cheers,

Lynne