After another re-supply and re-org back in Alice, it was time to head out towards the West McDonnell ranges. My plan had been to drive a loop through the West McDonnell Ranges and down the 'Mareenie Loop' to 'Kings Canyon', then looping back up to towards Alice. Taking in the hardly visited 'Illamurta Reserve' and 'Finke George'.
Our first stop was at the Rangers to gather more info, at the same time we got a good look a some of NT most Dangerous Snakes that would be sharing the Desert with us.
The Mc Ranges were a natural dividing wall running west to east through the centre of the desert. Smack bang in the middle was the largest gap, now the city of 'Alice Springs'. Dotted along both west and east of the range was a number of much smaller gaps. The first of these to the west was 'Simpson's Gap'.
We arrive at 'Ellery Creek Big Hole' Not meant to be a location for Crocs we all
jump into the freezing waters. Swimming off to investigate beyond the gap, just
before a down pore started. We dried off and watched the storm move towards us
as we retreated for
cover and food.
We stoped along the way at a number of other gaps, gorges, and walks which where keeping
us fit if nothing else. The 'Orchi Pits' are a protected site where the
aboriginals gathered colours from various rocks allowing them to create the
colours used in the paints.
We decided to take the 9 klicks walk around 'Glen Helen gorge' the views where
unreal, the scenery constantly changed from the rocky climbs to deep sand flats
and dry
pebbly creek beds led into towering rock faces. If it was not for the dam Ozi
flies that never tire of dive bombing you.
Back on the road again we travelled down the notorious 'Mareenie Loop' the dirt
dust road running through the heart of the aboriginal land. The passport we had
to purchase to drive through
the loop made it clear that we were not to leave the road or stop along the way.
That was apart from when we were flagged down by a group of Aboriginals who had broken
down. Cautiously we got them up and running again.
Can anyone spot the camels, they are out there somewhere!!
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