Destinations > Canning Stock Route, Part 1

There is a sidetrack leading to a small clearing at the base of Inglebong Hills, which you shouldn't miss. There is no defined track to the top of the rocky outcrop and the country is very rugged, make sure you have solid footwear. As you climb the escarpment you will marvel at the rock formations found at the top. The view's difficult to put into words but it's unlike anything you would have seen previously, and makes you wonder how it was formed. The view demonstrates the huge expanse of rolling spinifex and mulga, which stretches to the horizon.

Road conditions continue to be hard packed, with corrugations and the occasional developing bulldust hole. Some small sand ridges are encountered as is a magnificent stand of grass trees which disappear as quickly as they appear, again leaving you wondering why they chose this location to flourish so well.

Well 7 is found deep in a mulga bush outcrop and provides plenty of shelter if the wind is howling. Well 9 is significant as it not only provides good water from the water tank (be prepared to climb up on your roof rack to reach it), but it is also the site of Forrest Fort, although it's just a pile of stone these days. John Forrest made this his fortress in 1874 to save his party from the attacking local tribes. The nearby cattle yards and availability of water makes this place a dust and fly infested location. Glenayle Station is only 58km to the east, and for a small fee you can access or exit the CSR via this route.

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Close to Well 11 you begin to encounter the real sand dunes that have made the CSR notorious and it won't be long before you find the need to lower tyre pressures a little. Do this gradually, there's no need to rush down to 20psi straight away, but equally no point in digging up the track or making your vehicle work too hard because of high pressures. The sand is a deep red and you will often find desert blooms scattered across the rippled sand ridges, making for perfect photo opportunities.

The curiously named Lake Aerodrome will be seen in the distance as you skirt its eastern shore line, glistening white in the hot sun. Snell thought that the lake could be used as an airstrip but anyone that has driven on a salt lake will know how dangerous these inviting salt pans can be, don't be fooled, anchor points for winches are few and far between.

Well 12 was recently restored and provides good water. Always collect water when you get the opportunity, as you never know what lies ahead. The track is now more like the conditions found in the Simpson Desert with corrugated sand drifts between soft dunes. Between Well 13 and Well 14 on my last trip we paced an emu at 30kph and saw eagles riding the thermals so there is plenty of wildlife around. Sightings of camels, or at least their tracks, are very prevalent also.

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