Fogartys Claypan can be quite difficult to drive across when it is wet as the surface is soft and boggy. During the dry and hot conditions, the surface can be very dusty. The distance across this claypan is around 3km and is rather challenging. It can also be hazardous during extreme weather condition so caution need to be exercised. The detour track was created to avoid the claypan especially for those travellers who may be towing a caravan or camper trailer.
The claypan takes its name from an early shopkeeper who operated in both
Oodnadatta and
Alice Springs. It is likely that whilst travelling between stores, he experienced troubles at the claypan.