Fri 24 Jul 26 - Alice Springs
4 feeling like 0 Degrees this morning, cloudy with a very fresh SE wind all day, reaching a maximum of only 17. At 18:00pm, it had dropped again to 7 feeling like 3 degrees, and the fresh SE didn't let up.
Despite the cold, I was up and at it early, preparing for a day of wandering in the East MacDonnell Ranges by myself. At 09:00, I drove east 79km to Trephina Gorge. First hike was the Panorama Walk up a to a high point with many switchbacks providing wonderful views over the gorge and surrounding ranges and valleys. Looping back to the carpark, I then headed off for the next walk, the Trephina Gorge walk, which again started off uphill on the opposite side of the gorge and followed the ridge line for a couple of km, then descended into the gorge to walk back along the creek. The Panorama walk was wonderful for the scenery, and the Trephina Gorge walk was also great for the views, but into the gorge, and with abundant birdlife and colourful blossoms and wildflowers along the trail. It was quite cloudy and windy today, making it difficult to capture the true beauty of itt. After 2 x 1 hour plus walks, I was back at the carpark by midday, and had my lunch before heading of to my next planned stop, the giant ghost gum a few km's away. It was a short drive from here to the turn off to the next undecided walk, the John Hayes Rockpool about 4km off the main road. I was undecided about doing it, but once i turned in, I found myself on a very narrow and rough track with deep washouts, and large rocky crossings. It was short in distance, but long in duration. I thought about bailing out half way, but couldn't find anywhere suitable to turn around, but I eventually made it to the carpark, and had options for a 90 minute Chain of Ponds trail which by all accounts is quite hilly and demanding, a 20 minute lookout walk along a marked trail and a short 100m walk to the John Hayes Rockpool. I opted for the latter two, then returned to the car for a slow 4WD back out to the main road, and steered back towards Alice. On the way, I had further short stops and walks at Corroboree Rock, Jessie Gorge and Emily Gorges, before arriving back at the van at about 16:00. It was another great day exploring area, hiking and taking many photos. While I was out enjoying myself, Noel was very content staying behind at the van relaxing and entertaining Olli.
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| Trephina Gorge - Panorama Walk |
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| Trephina Gorge - Panorama Walk |
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| Trephina Gorge - Panorama Walk |
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| Trephina Gorge - Panorama Walk |
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Trephina Gorge - Panorama Walk
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Trephina Gorge - Panorama Walk
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Trephina Gorge - Panorama Walk
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Trephina Gorge - Panorama Walk
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Trephina Gorge - Panorama Walk
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Trephina Gorge - Panorama Walk
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Trephina Gorge - Panorama Walk
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Trephina Gorge - Panorama Walk
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Trephina Gorge - Panorama Walk
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Trephina Gorge - Panorama Walk
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Trephina Gorge - Gorge Walk
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| Trephina Gorge - Gorge Walk |
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| Trephina Gorge - Gorge Walk |
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| Trephina Gorge - Gorge Walk |
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| Trephina Gorge - Gorge Walk |
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| Trephina Gorge - Gorge Walk |
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| Trephina Gorge - Gorge Walk |
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| Trephina Gorge - Gorge Walk |
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| Trephina Gorge - Gorge Walk |
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| Trephina Gorge - Gorge Walk |
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| Trephina Gorge - Gorge Walk |
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| Giant Ghost Gum. To get an idea of the size of this tree, I stood next to the trunk and my head was slightly above the brown knot at the centre bottom. |
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| John Hayes Rockpool |
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| John Hayes Rockpool |
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| Chain of Pools Lookout |
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| Chain of Pools Lookout |
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| Chain of Pools Lookout |
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| Road out - doesn't look so bad here, but this was a good section |
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| Corroboree Rock |
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| Corroboree Rock |
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| Jessie Gap |
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| Jessie Gap |
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| Jessie Gap |
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| Jessie Gap |
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| Jessie Gap |
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| Emily Gap - Aboriginal paintings to be seen on the other side of the rocks, and the only way to see them is by swimming across the rock pool - far too cold for that today. |
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| Emily Gap |
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