Ruby Gap to Arltunga

Day 3 - Ruby Gap to Arltunga

Saturday, 8 September 2012

Up early, no wind!! But still quite cool. Packed up breakfast, water, a few snacks and we were off. The map said, 2km to glen Annie Gorge, then another 2km to Fox's Grave. We must have walked up hundreds of gorges, but each one is unique, don't think I will ever tire of them. Had to cross to the other side first, rock hopping, then scrambling through gravel and river rocks. Gorge meandered a bit and I found it quite hard going. Eventually we got to Glen Annie, where it narrows quite a bit and there is a large water hole, suitable for swimming, if it had been warm enough. We found a way to climb up the side wall so we could get through to the other side. The mud map did say there was no marked trail! Out through the other side it opened out again, bit more sunshine, different rocks, grey not red. We soon came across the garnet colored sand. The couple we helped over the rock yesterday said they had sat and fossilized in the sand. PAV was pushing on and I was struggling to keep up. I find river rocks difficult to walk over, you are always looking for suitable rocks to step on, I get eye ache! Even with my stick I don't feel sure footed and after my slip in Kakadu last year, am not taking any chances. The river gums are awesome, so many different shapes and gnarly bits, I want to spend more time and admire, but my guide is relentless in pushing - "the posse is closing in on us". Eventually after 2 hrs of walking and several more meanders, my stomach is screaming for breakfast, and I see some larger garnet "gravel" in amongst the rocks. Just have to stop and fossick. PAV eventually returns to find me head down, bum up, digging away. I had brought my little "Baggie" and had quite a stash. PAV had walked up until he came to a fence across the gorge/riverbed, realised I wasn't behind and finally come back to see if I was alright! The posse might have got me by that stage. Eating breakfast, the two fossils both fossicking for another 10 minutes before the pressure built up and we had to race back. Finally got back to Maxxie/Djan at 12:00 - 4 hrs we had been been on the go and I reckon we had got quite a bit further up the gorge than 4km, my hips were going to tell me all about it tonight. But it had been worth it. So far on this trip I would have put Mitchell Falls up at the top of the highlights, but I think this might have beaten it. It was certainly further and a lot harder terrain - and no horrible noisy helicopters and other pesky tourists. We still had another 2hrs of driving to negotiate the 40km back to The Binns Track.

The whole area of Arltunga is now an historical reserve, gold mining relics, and PAV was up for further exploring. My hips went on strike, I figured I would see the photos anyhow.we camped at Arltunga Hotel, the pub with no beer, wine or any alcohol! Great camping spot.

	Start of Hale River, Ruby Gap [Map]		Monsters in the Gap [Map]
	Glen Annie, in Ruby Gap [Map]		Glen Annie [Map]
	Hale River, after Glen Annie [Map]		Hale River [Map]
	Garnet sands! [Map]		Old man face in tree trunk - Ent? [Map]
	Gold Assayer's Dutch (pizza) Oven [Map]

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