The Hay River Track
Sunday, 7 November 2021 7:30 am
The Hay River track runs north from Poepple’s Corner all the way through to the Plenty Highway, however we will follow it only as far as Madigan's Tree.
Still a good distance of 167Kms.
Today is HOT, Very HOT !
In the shade we record 46*C, the ground temperature we record with a temperature probe at 69*C !
Built in Nizhny Novgorod where the Russian winters are down to minus 20*C and the Russian summer is a mild plus 20*C, can the Gaz handle Australia's 40*C+ Summer temps.
That is what we came out here to test.
YES it did !
It is hard work driving sand dunes, and the engine temp recorded only one needle width above 1/2 ( about 85*C) . 1/2 is where it normally sits ( 80*C).
The air conditioning was also working hard and on maximum. Inside the cabin a respectful 23*C.
The hard working transfer case reached a maximum of 70, the highest we ever saw it. Normal operation temperature is 40-60.
We have to say that is a resounding success.
The Hay River track starts out as an old drill road leading to an abandoned 1988 exploration well.
For 40+Kms the corrugations are horrendous.
In the Canter 4x4 I can travel at 10PKH - painful, or 60KPH to ride the harmonics of the undulations. At 60KPH it is a bit fast for the track conditions - I enjoyed it, but I have done quite some rally driving.
Perhaps dangerous for the average driver.
On the other hand the Gaz just soaked them up. Yes, one still knew you were on a bad road, but it was not at all unpleasant.
After leaving the old drill hole the Hay River Track turns east and crosses numerous red dunes.
At a star picket the track turns sharply north.
At this point one would not know its the final part of the Hay River as here is where it just disappears into the sand of the Simpson Desert.
We we head further north it becomes more evident we are actually driving an ancient river course.
Note also the sky is getting darker !!
Around 4.30Pm we stop to make camp.
The sky looks dark and we can see rain falling from distant clouds all around us.
Then all of a sudden we are hit by 60KPH winds .
With the wind comes the red sand. Our GX shakes whilst Bill and John try to keep their swags and tarp from finishing up on the horizon.
Almost got that sorted then the squalls of rain hits us.
We move the GX Motorhome close to the Gaz so it affords some protection for their sleeping gear between the two vehicles.
The wind subsides but it rains all night !
Here we are:
10Kms south of Madigan’s Tree on the Hay River Track