Chambers Pillar access
Submitted: Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 18:54
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Joe
The NT Government's web site advises that After the
Maryvale turnoff, a 4WD is required to negotiate the deep sand drifts and steep jump ups.[quote][/quote] so, for those of you who have been there, is it worth me trying to drag my HTC there?
I am happy enough in most terrain, but digging out a Patrol AND a 1.5 tonne HTC from lots of
sand dunes could get pretty old fairly quickly.
So, while I know that conditions change, is it worth the attempt or am I just fooling myself?
Reply By: HGMonaro - Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 19:07
Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 19:07
Maybe my memories faded (2007) but I don't recall anything that would cause you grief. We weren't towing but I was driving along wondering if I could have taken our wind-up which we'd left in Alice and thought it would have been fine.
AnswerID:
472918
Reply By: Rockape - Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 19:27
Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 19:27
2010 it was a bit rough but you would have no problems then getting in with your rig,
Have a good trip,
RA.
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Follow Up By: Member - Alan H (QLD) - Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 19:38
Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 19:38
When we went, we towed an Aussie Swag all the way. The road was in good order.
There is one steep
hill to climbover but it is not a problem for 4WD. Great view on the top of
the ridge before you go down the other side.
No loose sand problems on our trip 2009
Alan
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Reply By: wombat100 - Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 19:45
Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 19:45
No probs August this year !!
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Reply By: Member - Graham N (SA) - Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 19:50
Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 19:50
Hi Joe.
We Towed a T-Van there at the end of July this year with a Nissan GQ patrol had no problems and as was stated there is a large
hill to climb which might deter a 2wd vehicle. We seen some sand but nothing that would cause any problems that I remember.
Cheers,
Graham
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - colin J (VIC) - Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 21:40
Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 21:40
I was there in late June this year and there was a 40' Bushtracker there towed in by a Nissan Patrol.
Maybe not quite 40' but it was a big mother, little bit of sand but the softness will change as does the conditions. One slightly steepish
hill but the Bushtracker got in and out. Track was in pretty good condition, took me about 50 mins from Maryvale to the campground, but I wasn't towing this time.
Col.
FollowupID:
747752
Reply By: Hairy (WA) - Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 21:36
Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 21:36
Gday,
Like everyone else has said......you shouldnt have a problem.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 21:39
Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 21:39
Hi Joe
It you read that about 20 years ago, that is what it was like. The last 2 times that we were out there, the dunes were capped with rubble and the original low range, very cut up climb was graded and took all the fun out of the trip.
Providing that the road conditions have not changed, it is a very easy drive into
Chambers Pillar when dry.
Cheers
Stephen
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Russler - Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 22:24
Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 22:24
Hi Joe,
We were there in August. No trailer. They had re-aligned the road over the worst
hill since I was last there in the late 90's. No issues at all.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Motherhen - Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 23:39
Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 23:39
We went with our caravan in 2008 and met a couple of patches of loose sand soon after leaving Maryvale, but not deep; we were pleased to be pulling with the F250, not the auto 3 litre Patrol which may have had its work cut out in the sand. As said, the dunes towards th Pillar end of the drive had been capped and were quite firm. Other parts of the track were quite corrugated. As they have recently built a new campground for the Pillar, the road may
well have been improved.
Motherhen
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 23:43
Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 23:43
Sorry Joe, I missed mentioning the '
jump up'. The track crosses the Charlotte Range which is the only steep part and presented no problems. You can see my Blog of the trip under 2008.
Mh
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 23:47
Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at 23:47
On checking my correspondence with NT Parks when adding news of the new campground to my website they advised
"Whilst there has been some improvements to the access road to the reserve, the road to
Chambers Pillar is still 4x4 and caravans are not recommended."
At that time (November) the campground was complete but not officially open. I must follow this up.
Mh
FollowupID:
747762
Reply By: Member - Bucky - Tuesday, Dec 20, 2011 at 03:49
Tuesday, Dec 20, 2011 at 03:49
Joe
Chamber's Pillar is as easy as, in 2006.
I see no reason it would change.
We ran, from memory, 22 psi on gravel roads
Very corrugated, from the
gate at the start for maybe 2 km. then a breeze.
The "Jump up" was a slow climb, with our Trak Shak, but an easy one
We dropped tyre pressures down to 15psi on the "small"
sand dunes, thru the
gate, and eat it up them up.
Great sunsets and sunrises, so take a good camera.
Cheers
Bucky
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Joe - Tuesday, Dec 20, 2011 at 10:37
Tuesday, Dec 20, 2011 at 10:37
Thanks guys. Most of the time the warnings you see published are
well over the top, and it seems to be so in this case, but it is always worth checking.
Thanks again.
Joe
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