Most people tackle this Option as:
- descend Yeagarup Hill
- cross Warren River
- ascend Callcup Hill.
Probably because it is easier to find the entrance to Yeagarup than Callcup.
Getting up onto the dunes is easy enough if your tyres are deflated to the correct pressure. This will vary depending on your vehicle and the condition of the ‘face’ which itself has a whole lot of variables that affect its softness or firmness including temperature, moisture, time of the day, how many other vehicles have preceded you and a range of other factors. Think 12-15psi.
On top of the dunes poles mark the way across the white sand 2.4 km to another bush track. Five kilometres along this single vehicle track is the start of the descent to the beach – another 1.8 kilometres.
Completing the Loop is dependent on being able to cross the Warren River. Sometimes this is not possible and you will need to retrace your route and climb Yeagarup Hill to return ‘home’. Depending on conditions you may be able to just drive straight across Warren River if the riverbed is not too soft and/or too deep.
Alternatively, you will need to find the bar. This hard strip of sand is the key to getting across the river. If the bar is at the shoreline, time your crossing correctly and your vehicle will pass through only a very few millimetres of saltwater.
On occasions the bar is a few metres into the ocean and crossing the river via this manoeuvre, while quite doable, is not for the faint hearted. If you do decide to attempt this method have people standing on the edge of the bar to mark the course. Timing is everything, confidence is key. Work out a plan/procedure in case it all goes wrong. Have snatch straps attached beforehand. Check your insurance. Prudence is returning via Yeagarup Hill.
Crossing the Warren River is just the first part of the challenge. There’s Callcup to overcome.
Callcup Hill is three ascents in one – and nine kilometres from the beach to the top of the hill. There is a level area at the top (before the bush track) where your mates can park, bring out the camp chair, settle in, and assess/rate your performance on the final stage of the hill. Intimidating, testing and often frustrating – but satisfying when at the top.
Once you have conquered Callcup and Yeagarup you know about climbing sand dunes. And the key to that knowledge is tyre pressure.
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