Easter around Southern Cross

Day 2 - Helena Aurora Range to Lake Giles

The sky is always clearer out in the bush and the stars multiply. Last night we also saw the new moon rise but without the tripod the photos were blurred.

Anyway we had breaky, packed up and hit the track again making our way through the Helena Aurora ranges. Along the way we came across the Wilderness Society also enjoying the scenery.

Suprisingly there are a few mining claims staked within the ranges and some go to great lengths to keep you off their claim.

The drive through the ranges is very pretty and the scenery is constantly changing as do the track conditions. The tracks are pretty good condition, nothing too bad except for the patches of bad corrugations and each set of corrugations is different and finding the right speed for each set can be a challenge. Some were so bad that you could hear the side window glass shaking in the frame. We had dry weather, but there are few spots that could become tricky or even washed out and impassable with heavy rains.

We came across and old dam which would have supplied water back in the old days. These dams are usally roofed to slow done evaporation and to catch water when it rained.

There are a few salt lakes out here, Giles, Deborah and Barlee to name a few. Lake Deborah is actually used by WA Salt Supply who mine the lake for salt for your fish and chips and for use in pool salt. Some of the tracks skirt around these lakes.

Mid afternoon and we find a nice spot to camp for the night. Another day finished off with a lovely sunset then an evening sky with some falling stars. We settle down for the night. Around 1.00am is got a little nippy so we threw on another blanket and settle back to sleep.

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