The Western McDonnell Ranges

To just go back to The Devils Marbles briefly, I failed to mention that the dingo in the photograph was a semi-tame dingo, hanging about the area living off handouts.  Everyone who saw him took photos and those on the tour buses - well, it was one continuous clicking of cameras!

Two days from the Devils Marbles saw me in Alice Springs getting information on the area, getting some supplies and heading off for Ormiston Gorge campground.  There was still enough time for a quick run (returning on the same trail) to the ghost gum lookout, so named for the ghost gum perched on the rocky top next to it (and a beautiful gum it is too!).  Showers were available at this site and I needed one, which is why I choose this campsite - the alternative was a caravan park in Alice so it wasn't a difficult decision.  The next day was early up to the lookout, then dropping down to the river running thru the gorge, where there were still pools of water.  The cliffs are nothing short of magnificent!  Sheer, red, rugged and beautiful, set off by the odd ghost gum clinging to a lnely crag, or from the top.  This walk was scheduled for about an hour, it took me four as there are so many interesting little scenes to take in.  There is a longer Pound walk of 9Km, but I had heard you virtually had to swim across the river at one stage, so gave it a miss as I didn't want to get my cameras wet.  The two nights camped here gave me an excellent opportunity to see it in various stages of light, critical to catch some of the scenes at their best.

The following day took in Glen Helen Gorge, Redbank Gorge, the Ochre Pits and Serpentine Gorge and scenic overlook (a heart starting walk to the top of the hill, but great views!) and then to the site of the now disappeared Serpentine Lodge area for the night:  On the way in I got hung up on a rock in a dry river bed, which took a strenuous hour to work my way out, fortunately with the help of a German couple who turned up shortly after.  A day to catch up on chores at a rest area and currently in Alice for the Bangtail Muster on Monday, then off to Coober Pedy.

The Western McDonnels are truly stunning, the views continue for the 100+km trip in and the gorges are spectacular.  The colours, or should I say colour as it is mainly red, the landforms, the Range itself.  It all started 800 million years ago with a large inland sea depositing sand and fine iron oxide deposits, followed by subsequent upheaval and erosion forming rivers & gorges to get to its present form - and for that rock to rise up and get me hung up.