Wilpena Pound Circuit (continued)

Day two:  Side trip to Edeowie Gorge

Chapman's Wilpena Pound map

The next day, from Cooinda Camp, we followed the signpost and took the track which led northwest towards Edeowie Gorge.  After the walk of about 600m, we passed the rockhole, from which we had collected water the day before.  We continued on for about 1.8km of ups and downs, untill Edeowie Gorge was reached.

Edeowie Gorge Cliffs

Group photo

Roch scramble in the rocky valley

Second day lunch stop

Edeowie Gorge

We returned to Cooinda Camp via the same route.  We then packed up our tents, followed the track and walked out via Tanderra Saddle, where we kept to the right track, heading east about 1.5km, then southeast about 2.5km to get back to Wilpena Campground.  Food, beer, and wine were shared at dinner to celebrate the last night of Peter S. with the group.

 
Daddy's baking gourmet

Wilpena Pound Circuit, Flinders Ranges, SA

Continued on from Elder Range Daypack, 24th August (see blog archive)

Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th:  St Mary Peak – Wilpena Pound circuit (18km) ; the classic Flinders Ranges walk, taking in its highest point (1170m), with stunning views across Wilpena Pound and north to the ABC and Heysen Ranges. 

Location map for Wipena Pound

En route to Wilpena Campground

Chapman's "Bushwalking in Australia", p.136-141

The 5 km walk from Wilpena to Cooinda Camp via Wilpena Pound was easy and flat and we were provided with a pleasant experience of stands of native vegetation including native flowers, native pines, and many river red gums.  

The first two kilometres of the track was on an old forest road and a homestead could be seen at the end of the road.  The walking track started from here and it continued on for about half of km to a junction.  Here, we ignored the Heysen Trail turn off to the left.

Red gums

We arrived at the campsite before noon.  We pitched tents up, ate lunch and went collecting water from a rockhole which is located near Edeowie Track and about 600m away.

Cooinda Camp

After we had returned from the rockhole, we set off again and this time was for tackling St Mary Peak, the highest point in the Flinders Ranges, that was about  260m climb and took about two hours.

Rockhole, our water supply for two days

St Mary Peak from the track

Flowering wattle on the climb

 Sunset St Mary Peak on the return trip

Second day: Side trip to Edeowie Gorge (see Wilpena Pound Circuit continued)

Elder Range - Flinders Ranges National Park - SA

Continued on from Mt Remarkable National Park (see blog archive)

There was a change in the itinerary.  Elder Range day walk was on Monday 24th, instead Monday 31st.

Monday 24th:  Elder Range (13km); a return walk, starting from the Moralana scenic drive south of Wilpena Pound, ascending to a 730m peak on the Elder Range. Excellent views north to Wilpena Pound and Lake Torrens to the west.

Both of the Flinders Ranges walks are full-day “medium-hard” walks that take in the best features of the area, however there are plenty of shorter, easier, alternatives depending on people’s preferences at the time. 

Camp at either Wilpena Pound or continue on to Hawker. 

Location map for Elder Range and St Mary Peak hikes

Elder Range - Flinders Ranges NP
"The Moralana map"

Easy start in Moralana valley with clear and blue skies

 Panaromic views of the Heysen and ABC Ranges

Have a rest before the climb

Group photo at a 730m peak

Back down along the rocky ridge 
with a magnificient edge-on view of the Elder Range

Mt Remarkable National Park, southern Flinders Ranges, South Australia

Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd:  Full day walk in Mt Remarkable National Park – Hidden Gorge, Sugar Gum lookout and Battery Ridge circuit (18km). One of the best walks in the park, featuring narrow valleys, gorges and views of Spencer Gulf. More information on this area can be found at Mount Remarkable National Park (1Mb PDF)

Overnight there is a choice of camping another night at Mambray Creek or moving on to Port Augusta (with a hot shower and dinner).

Bushwalking Trails in Mt Remarkable National Park

 Early start with kangaroos

  .. then, rock scramble up the dry river bed

 

.. into Hidden Gorge

.. with towering cliffs

Family of emus crossing the track in front of us

Continue on.. 

 

to reach Alligator Creek

and Alligator Gorge

.. then, Peter E and Chris enjoying for a pose

Foot pad to carpark

Flinders Ranges, South Australia

Incomplete post

This was a YHA bushwalking trip and I was one of the seven participants.  The trip was organised by a long-term bushwalking volunteer leader, Stephen Smith, and below is his notes for the entire trip, which had been provided to the participants before the journey.  

Photographs, that are added to the trip notes, were taken on the trip.  Great work, Steve.  I enjoyed the trip and the company of other participants, and thank you for your amazing hard work.

Trip Notes: Gammon Ranges August 2009 

Itinerary 

An extended trip from 20th August – 2nd September is available featuring a more leisurely drive and to and from the Gammon Ranges and extra activities including three full days of walking in the Mt Remarkable and Wilpena Pound regions of the Flinders Ranges.

Thursday 20th August:  Depart Thursday morning and drive 600-700km to either Murray Bridge or Adelaide.  Once passengers have been collected and are out of Melbourne, meet in Beaufort bakery for morning tea and then continue on together.  Motel accommodation.

Murray Bridge

Friday 21st:  Travel to Mt Remarkable National Park (Mambray Creek) via Clare Valley wineries and a visit to Telowie Gorge (and Barossa Valley if leaving from Murray Bridge).  Camp overnight at Mambray Creek (off Highway 1, 45km north of Port Pirie).

Clare Valley winery

Directions to Mt Remarkable National Park

Mt Remarkable NP (Mambray Creek)

Camp cooking

Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd:

Bushwalking Trails in Mt Remarkable National Park