Lake Aerodrome - Canning Stock Route Traditional Cache
Lake Aerodrome - Canning Stock Route
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The cache is hidden at the base of a tree on top of a sand dune. It’s and easy one to find. You get a great view over the lake and beyond. Take a drink with you and sit in the shade and enjoy the peace and solitude this track offers.
This cache is located between wells 11 and 12 on the canning Stock route.
Cache is an AMMO box painted silver as we decided it didn’t need to be hidden. You will find Camel tracks and evidence of other animals. Beware of the Spinifex its sharp.
The History:
In 1929 the condition of the original wells and equipment had deteriorated to such a degree that the wells needed refurbishment interestingly by this stage only 8 mobs of cattle had actually made the trip down the Canning Stock Route the popular thinking is that the fear of attack by natives was the reason given for the limited acceptance of the route.
In 1929 the Government contracted a reconstruction team, lead by William Snell to refurbish all the wells, a task he never completed to the same level that Canning was noted for.
The stock route remained unsuitable for its purpose due to the incomplete refurbishment so in 1930, Canning (now in his 70’s) was encouraged out of retirement and requested to complete the job.
The earliest use of vehicles dates back to Snell in 1929, then others with interest along the track managed to push further into the sand dune country, as four wheel drives become more reliable and affordable to the general public. However, it wasn't until the 1970s that the first complete traverse of the Canning Stock Route by motor vehicle was achieved.
During Snell’s Reconditioning work on the Canning stock route he was asked to locate suitable landing areas for Airplanes. Lake Aerodrome was seen as suitable but today we realize that it would only be a foolhardy person that would decide to land on the salt lake. The thin crust of dry salt hides a treacherous underbelly of thick black mud. Even now with that sort of hindsight knowledge we have you can see that other drivers have taken the easy and smooth but risky option of driving along the edge of the lake edge. We wouldn’t recommend you trying it.
Enjoy your trip we certainly enjoyed ours. What a great part of the world this is.
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