Day 12 – Serpentine Gorge to Serpentine Chalet Dam (Section 8 Larapinta)

We are hiking along the ridge to the left. The ridges are almost parallel

https://nt.gov.au/parks/find-a-park/tjoritja-west-macdonnell-national-park/larapinta-trail

https://nt.gov.au/_media/docs/parks/bushwalking-and-hiking/larapinta-trail/larapinta-trail-section-8-information-sheet-and-map.pdf

Last night was very cold in the shelter. We were again up at 5:15am and away at 6:45am. Drew was wearing his normal hiking clothes plus merino thermal top, puffer vest and merino beanie. I was wearing normal hiking clothes plus two merino thermal tops, merino thermal tights, puffer jacket, merino beanie and buff.  

Blue shipping container in distance is Food Drop

Looking back toward Serpentine Gorge

The track was very steep between the 2 and 3km markers, which are actually 3 and 4km respectively from the campsite, as the section starts at the carpark.  Once up this steep section it was relatively flat but high with expansive views.

The trail continued along ridge top to the side trail to Counts Point.  As we were so high there was phone coverage at the junction of the tracks. Walking out to Counts Point rewarded with massive views including Mount Sonder and the meteor crater Tnorala (Gosse Bluff). Remarkably a proper seat has been installed here, so we sat and enjoyed the view.

https://northernterritory.com/alice-springs-and-surrounds/see-and-do/mt-sonder-rutjupma

https://northernterritory.com/gb/en/alice-springs-and-surrounds/see-and-do/tnorala-gosse-bluff-conservation-reserve

https://nt.gov.au/parks/find-a-park/tnorala-gosse-bluff-conservation-reserve

https://nt.gov.au/_media/docs/parks/find-a-park-to-visit/central-australia-region/tnorala-conservation-reserve-fact-sheet-and-map.pdf

That really is how rough the trail surface is here!

The Seat

The view to Mt Sonder straight ahead - the end of the Larapinta Trail

Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) is the bump on the horizon

The descent from this ridge was very solid. About halfway down a series of steps have been installed to help with the steepness.

Once off the ridgeline we encountered denser woodland than we had previously seen on this trail, as well as more arid moonscape type patches.  

Coming from the East the campsite appears quite suddenly with no real advance view.

We arrived at the shelter about 2:45pm and set up our tent. As last night was cold and it was expected to be colder again, we opted for our tent rather than the shelter.

We explored upstream a little in the afternoon.

Statistics

Hike Distance                 15.93km

Hike Time                        6h 37m

Ascent                              608.7m

Descent                           540.6m

Day 11 – Ellery Creek North to Serpentine Gorge (Section 7 Larapinta)

 

https://nt.gov.au/parks/find-a-park/tjoritja-west-macdonnell-national-park/larapinta-trail

https://nt.gov.au/_media/docs/parks/bushwalking-and-hiking/larapinta-trail/larapinta-trail-section-7-information-sheet-and-map.pdf

https://northernterritory.com/alice-springs-and-surrounds/see-and-do/ellery-creek-big-hole

We were up at 5:15am and left at 6:45am, as soon as it was light enough for me to manage. We kept our down jackets on for the first hour of walking due to the cold. Today began with relatively easy walking through open country. Somewhere between the six and seven kilometres mark we surprised several Spinifex Pigeons – they in turn surprised us with the noise they make in taking off. We could also hear a lot of budgerigars.  The easy walk to West Junction gave an excellent view of the northern side of the Heavitree Range. As we entered to the top of the creek at Spring Gap to cross through to the southern side of the Heavitree Range there was a short section of bouldering. The vegetation is quite different on each side of the range. 

Entrance to Spring Gap - up and over

He is 5foot 10inches, and had to sit down. I am only 5foot and it was quite a stretch.

We continued past the shelter and trailhead to the carpark for day walkers to Serpentine Gorge. We collected our drop box from the shipping container and brought this back to the day use area.  Here the amazing support team from a group of our fellow hikers (who were fundraising for Cancer Council - Relay for life (NQBP Never Quit Being Positive)) had arranged a birthday cake for Drew – thank you!

https://www.relayforlife.org.au/fundraisers/NQBPNeverQuitBeingPositive6295

We got back to the shelter around 1pm having stuffed ourselves on an awesome black forest cake. Next up was a walk to Serpentine Gorge, which was pretty; followed by a solid climb to the lookout and its stunning views.

https://northernterritory.com/alice-springs-and-surrounds/see-and-do/serpentine-gorge

We spent the remainder of the afternoon eating, reading and relaxing. This was our easiest day so far.  Once again, we slept in the shelter.  I have really liked the shelters, both as a place to congregate and meet fellow hikers, and as a place to sleep. 

Statistics

Hike Distance                 14.34km

Hike Time                        4h 30m

Ascent                              332.4m

Descent                           271.7m

Walk Distance                2.16km

Walk Time                        48m

Ascent                              80.9m

Descent                           90.4m