Kalgoorlie/Esperence by-pass

Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 21:57
ThreadID: 75720 Views:4377 Replies:5 FollowUps:7
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Hi all. We will be travelling over and back to WA in March by 4WD and camper trailer. Heading to the Mandurah, Bunbury area to visit family. We have been through both Esperance, Kalgoorlie and have also driven up to Balladonia from Israelite Bay.
Thinking this time we will go head west from Norseman to Lake King on the way over and then back to Norseman via Hyden on the way home. Have found one trip article on the Hyden/Norseman route but nothing on Lake king to Norseman.

Google shows a fairly clearly defined track in both above routes. Anyone have first hand experience with either?
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Reply By: Kanga1 - Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 22:39

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 22:39
Hi Mepvic, about 3 yrs back we went through there, it was the same time a couple of blokes went missing supposedly at Dissapointment rock on the Hyden -Norseman rd, but they turned up just off the Lake King- Norseman rd, anyhow that road was OK, gravel and sand, closed if its wet, a nice little diversion is just East of 90 mile tank, up the track to Maggie Hayes Hill, an overnight camp on the Honman Ridge, food for thought, Cheers Kanga1
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Reply By: Motherhen - Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 22:41

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 22:41
I have mentioned the Lake King road quite a few times. Have been both ways several times. Last year the Lake King road was closed (must have had rain) but as it was Saturday we couldn't get any further info. so didn't risk getting fined, went back to Norseman and home via the Hyden Road. We had planned to camp at Peak Charles and climb the peak as every other time we had gone straight must. Darn, missed out again.

Lake King road has been acceptable to us; middle section through the Frank Hann NP usually pot holed so needs to be taken slowly. We have been through it following a deluge and the first section from Norseman was just slush. Apart from getting covered in mud , we got through OK.

Both are pleasant drives. Good camping on the Hyden road at Lake Johnston and The Breakaways. We haven't stopped on the Lake King Road, but as said, you can camp at Peak Charles which is a few kilometres from the road. Also various opportunities to get off the road. Most people camp at the ninety mile tank.

If you are used to dirt roads, neither route will cause you any problems.

Motherhen
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 22:47

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 22:47
Also mepvic, check threads 75390, 54689 and 40001 for reports on the Lake King road.

Mh
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Reply By: get outmore - Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 23:34

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 23:34
the lake king road gos through the frank han national park. Not alot to see besides 90 mile tanks and a rock with a neaby grave. The drive is worth it alone to stop off at Peak charles
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Follow Up By: get outmore - Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 23:44

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 23:44
peak charles
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Reply By: Member - mazcan - Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 11:05

Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 11:05
hi getout more
a really nice photo
have you climbed the rock and is it hard work and tough going looks steep but then where you climb may not be as bad as it looks????

im 63 but i climbed mt frankland last year it's a steep climb but not a great distance to the top
your opinion would be apreciated thanks
cheers
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Follow Up By: get outmore - Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 13:27

Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 13:27
well obviosly its all subjective but I reckon itspretty steep thees a section nea the top where yo actually climb up a bit hands and feet. theres no windy trail taking the easy way its pretty much upnup
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Follow Up By: get outmore - Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 13:28

Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 13:28
sorry sholdve said ive climbed it maybe 4-5 times
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 15:26

Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 15:26
Hi Mazcan

Mt Frankland is quite a climb all the same, and think the fire lookout guys who are probably around your age too do it on a daily basis!

We didn't get to Peak Charles, but didn't anticipate problems climbing it; the Rooster is a few years older than you and comes with me on all the climbs, and usually makes it to the top, but back pain limits the amount of 'rock scramble' he can do. Coming down is worse.

Mh
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Follow Up By: get outmore - Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 23:50

Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 23:50
ah sorry should also have said have climbed mt franklin a couple of times its really not in the same leugue in terms of making you puff and scrambling up in parts
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Follow Up By: Member - mazcan - Thursday, Feb 04, 2010 at 00:30

Thursday, Feb 04, 2010 at 00:30
hi motherhen and also get outmore
thank you both for the imfo
climbing on a daily basis would get you fit but it;s when one tackles these climbs on a one off thats the real test and it;s a challenge to the body
but i hope to climb peak charles as i remember my old g/dad telling me about peak charles and peak elinor as well he climbed them in about 1930
during his prospecting stints
cheers and thanks again
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Reply By: mepvic - Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 20:19

Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 20:19
Thanks for all your help ladies and gents. What a great source of information out there. Can't believe I couldn't find all the other forums referencing these tracks. Only found 1 - from Hyden to Coolgardie. Have to practice my searching more.

Will enjoy the trip even more now we have some additional site seeing to do.

thanks again
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