Cape York - Day 11, Elliot Falls to Jardine River 26/06/2018

While camped at Elliot Falls we bumped into Justin, Tash and Jordan and we decided that we would travel the remainder of the OTT together. We set off at 9am and it wasn't long until we were into the action with a few tricky little sections at the Canal Creek crossing. Next up were Sam and Mistake Creek crossing which were again pretty straight forward.

Our first major obstacle for the day was Cannibal Creek and we decided that we better use the Water Blind (thanks Hoggy) as the creek had some deep holes and a switch back before a nasty exit. Both vehicles got through without any trouble but on the exit we managed to somehow pop off the fuel cap from our main tank. We didn't realise at the time but Anna spotted that it was missing a few km's down the road. Lucky I carry a spare and after checking a few photos we worked out that we lost it at the exit of Cannibal. Not sure how or why but glad we noticed before the next few creek crossings....

Next up was the Cypress Creek log bridge, after a bit of an examination by Justin and I we decided it was best to stop thinking and just drive it... Justin was first and towing a camper so had to take a little more care and the sharp right turn exit had him doing a 3 point turn to make it around safely. I had no trouble, but it was nerve racking crossing on an old log bridge that didn't look particularly sound.

Logan Creek was up next and again we had heard horror stories about this being the deepest crossing, Justin and I walked the crossing the long way, through particularly croccy looking water to find the shorter crossing that we ended up taking. This route still had deep holes but was about half the length of the other crossing and the one for us... I went first as I wasn't towing and it wasn't long before I had water half way up the windscreen, about half way through the car bogged down a little and after plenty of right foot we popped out to safety with our heart beat through the roof. I positioned myself to assist Justin should he need it but I wasn't required and Justin literally launched in and had a bow wave wash right up over his windscreen, it was very spectacular to watch but a least he got through.

Our last major crossing of the OTT was the infamous Nolan's Brook and when we arrived there were a couple of vehicles waiting for us on the northern bank. These blokes had just crossed and told us that everyone needed to be towed across and that the left hand side entry was the best line. Justin and I took their word for it and the boys on the other side agreed to tow Justin across which was an offer we couldn't refuse. This way across was deep and soft, apparently 9 vehicles had just crossed and if Justin had attempted it without the help of the other guys he would have been stuck.

Once safely on the other side the other blokes departed and Justin prepared to drag me through and I'm glad he was with us as this way across would have certainly bogged us and drowned our 4wd. These last few crossing were certainly the deepest and need to be taken with heaps of caution and I'm so glad we had the water blind we certainly needed it.

Now that we had safely gotten across it was time for a celebratory beer and some lunch. We waited to extend the same courtesy to the next group but after an hour no one had shown up so we continued north on the OTT. We are so surprised at how quiet it is at the moment and I'm so glad we have arrived on the OTT before the school holidays start. From Nolan's it was a fairly short and straight forward drive to the South Jardine River Camp site and the end of the OTT. Here we said our good byes to Justin, Tash and Jordan and we hope to catch up with them again at Chilli Beach in a few days. We set up camp and it looks like we will have this campsite all to ourselves too.

Distance travelled = 35km