Day 4 – Jay Creek Shelter to Millers Flat via the alternate High Route (Section 3 Larapinta)

High Route

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-3-information-sheet-and-map.pdf

https://northernterritory.com/alice-springs-and-surrounds/see-and-do/jay-creek

This morning, we woke at 5:30am and stayed in bed until 6am. The forecast for last night was 2 degrees. We slept in the shelter so did not have the additional warmth of a tent. I was cosy in my sleeping bag and thermal liner combination, admittedly I did keep my socks, thermals and down jacket on all night with only the need to unzip the jacket at one stage.

We left Jay Creek camp at 7:45am. The first 2km of today’s walk was very slow going through a rocky creek bed to the Fish Hole. This was followed by a steep climb up and over to the southern side of the Chewings Range. We were then in lovely open country with easy walking, where we saw Spinifex Pidgeons. We stopped after 2 hours of walking and were approximately 0.5km from Tangentyere Junction, the junction of the high and low routes - meaning we are slower than the guide maps over the rocky terrain. I have blisters on one shoulder from my thermal top sleeve seam sitting oddly under my pack straps. We have put fixomull and strapping tape on this and it feels fine.

Jay Creek

Tangentyere Junction

The climb up to Pravda Spur to take the high route zigs and zags with several short technical bits along the edge of the mountain- the most difficult being just before the spur. From here to the 7km mark was gently up and down with multiple false crests. We stopped for another break at the 7km marker with great views. The top of the ridge had a lot of mica and had different vegetation to what we had seen in lower areas. The high route was not particularly fast walking, but the views were absolutely worth it.

View from Pravda Spur

The trail

The descent down to and through Mesic Gully was technical and slow but fun. I was grateful that we could take our time doing this. It is not terrain that I would be comfortable trying to rush or do in low light.  

The descent begins

and the descent just keeps on going!

We arrived at Millers Flat about 2:45pm and set up for our first dry camp.  Near dusk two other campers arrived, having come the high route from Mulga Camp. The peaceful valley, watching the colours change as dusk came in and then the stars came out was quite a contrast to the business of Jay Creek last night.

 

Statistics

Hike Distance                 10.38km

Hike Time                        5h 57m

Ascent                              519.4m

Descent                           435.0m