Day 09
Hooray it didn’t rain last night, but damn was it cold out!
A nice gentle run into Glen Helen Gorge. It is probably the most recognizable place from my memories, Nothing seems to have changed one little bit. A lot more water in the river but that is to be expected.
Standing in the river looking toward the gorge.
[Update]
This is the panorama 180 degrees as you stand near the "roadhouse" looking at the far bank of the river with the gorge on your left
and the gorge itself when you hike down opposite the entrance. Normally you can puddle jump aross the river to the other side but not now.
[End Update]
A chat with one of the “Wayoutback Tours” drivers suggested that the Mereenie Loop Road was open as that was the way she had come from King’s Canyon. Further discussion revealed that they have a different way of looking at the road restrictions; “closed” means closed but “impassable” means closed to idiot drivers but the rest of us can get through. You learn something everyday . . .I decided to continue on to Gosses Bluff.
Along Namatjira drive the country is quite nice and there is still plenty of water around.
On the road into Gosses Bluff just where the road disappears here is water crossing. Not very deep but my first attempt to get the truck in motion on video.
So much for washing the truck!
then across to Palm Valley. I would have liked to spend a little more time in Gosses Bluff but camping is not permitted and although I don’t think the rangers will be by in the middle of the night the area is fairly heavily restricted so there are no walking trails. It’s tempting to climb to the top of one of the lower parts to get some photos but there isn’t enough time left in the day.
Once out of Gosses Bluff I have to go to Hermansberg to get a permit for the Mereenie Loop Road . Unfortunately this bit of road I have to backtrack to get to King’s Canyon and its one of the worst so far. 43 km of heavy corrugations which feel like they will break everything and heavy dragging sand or soft squelching mud as comic relief. Most of the trip is done in 3rd and 4th gear. Hermansberg looks like the twin of Docker River. A quick $5-50 and out of there.
The river crossing on the way in and out is interesting!
And then at the Palm Valley turn off
You have to be kidding me 3 hrs!!
Mind you the first two guys I pass coming out in a Landrover Discovery and a Landcruiser have both turned back within 500metres of the rangers hut because of the last river crossing.
This is one of the early crossings where you enter alongside that tree on the far left and come out where I have stopped. This one is about 800mm deep at the deepest. Of course by now I have discovered that anything over 200mm means no brakes for about 100m or so while the water drains out.
This part of the trip is in 1st and 2nd gear the whole way in . . . and I was through the last deep crossing before I realized it was the one described by the guys leaving.
About an hour and 45mins without hurrying.
The campground is fantastic, barbeques, hot showers, toilets and all immaculately clean.
This is my favourite place so far . . .
The actual palm grove is still another 4km down the track so it looks like a couple of nights stay here, which will help the water recede a bit, and allow plenty of time for walking.
It’s the first night that is pleasant enough to cook outside and the facilities are great so I have cooked a curry with rice and some veggies. That will surprise some of you !!
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