Larapinta Trail

SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion.
Forum rules
SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. Please avoid publishing details of access to sensitive areas with no tracks.

Larapinta Trail

Postby Tim-Australian Hiker » Fri 17 Feb, 2017 2:07 pm

If you ask my friends and family to describe my choice of leisure activities the terms most often used would be ‘spontaneous’ and ‘crazy’; you want to hike how far, for how many weeks? Until recently I would have agreed, at least as far as the spontaneity is concerned. However, in the past few years I have come to realise that all my great adventures have started with a random thought that progressively builds over months, or typically years, until I finally act. Our hike of the Larapinta Trail started as a conversation with work colleagues in 2014 and concluded in August 2016 with our 14 day west-east trek.
One of my quirks is the need to have every possible bit of information available before undertaking an adventure and Larapinta was no different. In fact this was the trip that drove me to starting this website and blog as no matter how many guidebooks, blogs, and websites I trawled over the past two years I still had knowledge gaps (from my perspective). Was there a phone signal? Where could we dump rubbish? Can I recharge my electronics? These were just some of the myriad of information that I struggled to find. The three key questions that influenced my trip planning were:
When do we go?
How long should we take?
Which direction to travel?

Some very hardy people choose to walk Larapinta in the hot months; usually walking early in the day, and late in the evening to avoid the extreme UV and heat in excess of 40 degrees Celsius (104F). This greatly increases the risks to personal safety and should only be attempted by highly experienced and fit hikers with a meticulous plan and backup. However winter is considered the best time to travel with August usually being the driest winter month and that is why we decided to go in August. We also decided on a 15 day schedule based on our level of fitness, logical camp sites, known speeds with a full pack, and the fact that this was meant to be a leisure activity (thanks for the reminder from my wife Gill!) as opposed to a ‘take no prisoners approach’ (Tim). We travelled west-east being dropped off at Redbank Gorge on the 1 August. This meant that we could vary our schedule and either extend or reduce the number of days we had planned provided we returned to Alice Springs in time for our flight home.

The Larapinta Trail is designed to start in Alice Springs and finish at Mt Sonder and as such the difficulty ratings attached to each of the 12 sections in the printed brochures and the guidebooks are based on this. But there were discrepancies between the various sources. We found that doing the trip in ’reverse’ meant that the difficulty rating provided in the section pamphlets by the local parks authority indicates that the hardest sections are section 4 (Standley Chasm to Birthday Waterhole) and Section 5 (Birthday Waterhole to Hugh Gorge). The trail head signs have been updated and vary from the brochures. While both these sections were hard we found that in doing the trip in reverse, and altering the ups and downs, that Section 3 (Standley Chasm to Jay Creek), and Section 9 (Ormiston Gorge to Serpentine Chalet Dam) were now the most difficult sections. This was not just our opinion but also that of those we talked to travelling the same direction as us.
The best sections by far (again not just our opinion) are Sections 4 (Standley Chasm to Birthday Waterhole) and Section 5 (Birthday Waterhole to Hugh Gorge). These sections were hard but the views from both Razorback Ridge and the campsite on Brinkley Bluff were amazing. I hadn’t planned on camping at Brinkley Bluff but with so many people that we met coming from Alice Springs telling us to do so, we changed our plans and were glad we did. Doing both these sections East-West reduced the difficulty and even though I have been a rock climber in the past, I would not have wanted to come down Razorback Ridge due to the amount of exposure. The surprise of the trip was Section 1 on the last day heading back into Alice Springs. Many people choose to skip this section and in some respects I could understand this if it was the first day and you were short on time. However the view back toward Alice Springs from Euro Ridge is stunning and most welcome after two weeks of hiking.

While there wasn’t any part of the Trail that I would class as being the ‘worst’ there were two sections about which you need to be aware. The trail is constantly being upgraded however the downhill switchback section from ‘lookout’ to Waterfall Gorge (Section 9) is in very poor condition and footing is treacherous. It is likely that this will be repaired within the next year or so but worth checking with the parks authority before you go.
The other section to watch out for (and potentially one of the most dangerous on a hot day) is Section 6 (Ellery Creek to Hugh Gorge 31.2km). We did this section in two days and reached the saddle on Heavitree Range on day one of that leg by about 9am before descending down on to an open plain that had very few shade opportunities. This was the only part of the whole trail where I found myself overheating due to lack of shelter opportunities and resulted in a large number of breaks anytime we found shade to allow us to cool down.

Prior to starting the trek we both had preconceived ideas about what we would find. We expected to see very few people but we were wrong as we encountered a number of people travelling in both directions taking anywhere from 12 to 20 days to complete the trail. The majority of these were travelling east-west.
We also expected to see lots of wildlife and again we were wrong. Apparently all the poor little creatures found it too cold although in all fairness the bird life was pretty amazing and we did see the odd Euro (part of the kangaroo family). Other hikers that we were leap frogging with also came across the odd (poisonous) snake.
Although the trail is short (relatively speaking), we expected it to be demanding – we were spot on there. We expected amazing landscapes – again spot on. We over catered for food and it appears that just about everyone does that. Even allowing for doing the trail in a day less than we had planned, we still left food behind. We expected rocks – that’s an understatement. I have hiked in a number of places around the world and never walked over so many rocks on a trail that doesn’t contain fields of talus or scree.

The people on the trail were all friendly and I suppose given that we were all there doing the same trip, you would expect a degree of compatibility. We started the trip with just the two of us but by Section 6 were travelling as a group of three when Steve, whom we met a few days before joined us. We finished as a group of three on the last day and have made a new friend out of the experience. You can hear Steve as well as others describe their experience in Episode six of the podcast.
We had planned for this trip to take 15 days based upon the agreed parameters. I hadn’t allowed any rest days but did plan a number of relatively short days to make allowances for any injuries or unforseen circumstances. What we found was that on a number of days we had reached our goal prior to lunchtime and decided to press on. I originally hadn’t allowed doing any side trips but when we reached Ormiston Gorge a day ahead of schedule we decided to do the Ormiston Pound walk in the morning and rest for the afternoon. For fit experienced hikers, a 12-15 day itinerary is very manageable. Alternatively you can also allow up to 20 days if you want to do all the side trips or just want to stop and smell the roses, or in the case of Larapinta the wattles.

I must also mention the wide range of pack sizes (and loads) that our fellow hikers were carrying. The smallest pack that I saw on the trail was a 38-litre pack and the largest up around the 100 litres. Loads also varied greatly. I’m in the process of becoming a lightweight/ultra light hiker and for me this is a work in progress as I replace gear and learn what I can do without and I’m always interested in talking to other hikers to see what I can pick up. My maximum pack weight, unless I was carrying two days of water, and including four days of food was just under 15kg (33 pounds). Pack weights seem to be a typical conversation on the trail and some hikers indicated they were carrying as much as 34kg (75 pounds). From my perspective there isn’t a right or wrong amount of gear to carry provided what you carry makes you a safe hiker for the given trip but it was apparent that some people were being impacted by the weight that they were carrying.

One last quirk of this trip that I must mention is the Australian census, which the Australian Government conducts every five years to gain a better picture of the population and its needs. We dutifully filled out our paper copy at Fringe Lily Creek on the designated night to much mirth. Location? A teeny weeny tent at Fringe Lily Creek, Larapinta Trail, NT. Number of people in your residence on the night? 2. Do you own your residence (said tent) or is there a mortgage? …..I was really tempted to say we had a $10 mortgage on the tent!

So would I recommend hiking the Larapinta Trail to anyone? Without a second thought my answer is yes. It is challenging, it’s primitive, it allows you time to escape the modern world, and the views are stunning. It’s just plain life affirming, so get out there!
Tim-Australian Hiker
Nothofagus cunninghamii
Nothofagus cunninghamii
 
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun 13 Nov, 2016 4:56 pm
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Australian Hiker
Region: Australian Capital Territory
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail

Postby ChrisJHC » Sat 25 Feb, 2017 8:28 pm

Thanks for the report, Tim.
I'm planning on doing the Larapinta this July. Also looking to do it in 15 days due to time constraints.
Would you be able to post your itinerary (plus any comments as to any days that were too long or too short)?

Thanks!
ChrisJHC
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 783
Joined: Sat 25 Feb, 2017 8:22 pm
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail

Postby Bin65 » Wed 12 Jul, 2017 7:34 am

HI , Thanks also for the great info, I am also looking at doing this trip solo and would love to know your itinerary if possible.
Bin65
Nothofagus cunninghamii
Nothofagus cunninghamii
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed 05 Jul, 2017 9:00 am
Region: New South Wales

Re: Larapinta Trail

Postby canthardlywait » Sat 15 Jul, 2017 11:24 am

Hi Guys!
I just got back from the larapinta trail and did it in 15 days E-W. I'm writing up a report at the moment but here is my itinerary if it helps for your planning. Bin65, plenty of solo walkers on the track too!.

Day 1 - Telegraph to Wallaby Gap (started at 2.30pm due to flying into Alice that day)
Day 2 - Wallaby Gap - Mulga
Day 3 - Mulga - Jay Creek
Day 4 - Jay Creek - Stanley Chasm
Day 5 - Stanley Chasm - Birthday Waterhole
Day 6 - Birthday Waterhole -Hugh Gorge
Day 7 - Hugh Gorge - Rocky Gully
Day 8 - Rocky Gully - Ellery Creek
Day 9 - Ellery Creek - Serpentine Gorge
Day 10 - Serpentine Gorge - Serpentine Chalet Dam
Day 11 - Serpentine Chalet Dam - Hermits Hideaway/Giles Lookout (high camp)
Day 12 - Hermits Hideaway - Ormiston Gorge
Day 13 - Ormiston Gorge - Hilltop Camp (high camp)
Day 14 - Hilltop - Redbank Gorge
Day 15 - Mt Sondor

Any questions I'm happy to help! The trail was truly beautiful!!
canthardlywait
Atherosperma moschatum
Atherosperma moschatum
 
Posts: 62
Joined: Thu 18 Jun, 2015 1:56 pm
Region: Queensland
Gender: Female

Re: Larapinta Trail

Postby Bin65 » Fri 09 Feb, 2018 7:31 pm

Thank for your itinerary. I am going to do it West to East and take 17 days with rest day now. Just not sure which would be the best place to spend a day resting up. Any help here would be greatly appreciate. Thanks in advance lindi
Bin65
Nothofagus cunninghamii
Nothofagus cunninghamii
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed 05 Jul, 2017 9:00 am
Region: New South Wales

Re: Larapinta Trail

Postby ribuck » Sat 10 Feb, 2018 3:32 am

Bin65 wrote:...Just not sure which would be the best place to spend a day resting up...

Why do you need to decide in advance? You can plan your itinerary for one day less than you have available, then take your rest day whenever you feel like it. You may not end up following your itinerary exactly anyway.

In case you're interested, here is my 16-day east-to-west itinerary. I'm starting on 1st May.

Day 1 - 17.9km 6hrs - Alice Springs to Wallaby Gap
Day 2 - 10.8km 4hrs - Wallaby Gap to Simpson's Gap
Day 3 - 24.5km 8hrs - Simpson's Gap to Jay Creek
Day 4 - 13.9km 6.5hrs - Jay Creek to Standley Chasm (food drop)
Day 5 - 9.9km 5hrs - Standley Chasm to Brinkley Bluff (carry water for overnight)
Day 6 - 8.0km 3.5hrs - Brinkley Bluff to Birthday Waterhole Junction
Day 7 - 11.2km 7hrs - Birthday Waterhole Junction to Hugh Gorge Junction
Day 8 - 19.0km 8hrs - Hugh Gorge Junction to Rocky Gully
Day 9 - 15.0km 5.5hrs - Rocky Gully to Ellery Creek (food drop)
Day 10 - 13.1km 5.5hrs - Ellery Creek to Serpentine Gorge
Day 11 - 13.0km 5.5hrs - Serpentine Gorge to Serpentine Chalet Dam
Day 12 - 12.8km 5.5hrs - Serpentine Chalet Dam to Waterfall Gorge (carry water for overnight)
Day 13 - 15.5km 6.5hrs - Waterfall Gorge to Ormiston Gorge (food drop)
Day 14 - 9.1km 4hrs - Ormiston Gorge to Finke River
Day 15 - 14.7km 5.5hrs - Finke River to Rocky Bar Gap
Day 16 - 26.6km 10hrs - Rocky Bar Gap to Redbank Gorge, plus Mt Sonder return with day pack

There are a few places where I have a bit of slack (especially as bushwalkers tend to move faster than the official timings). Also, I may go straight from Serpentine Chalet Dam to Ormiston Gorge in one day, in which case I will have an additional day for side trips.

This itinerary was mostly drawn up with a desire to minimise overnight water carrys. It's surprising how similar it ended up being to the one posted by canthardlywait.
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail

Postby ribuck » Sat 10 Feb, 2018 3:34 am

Tim-Australian Hiker wrote:One last quirk of this trip that I must mention is the Australian census, which the Australian Government conducts every five years to gain a better picture of the population and its needs. We dutifully filled out our paper copy at Fringe Lily Creek on the designated night to much mirth. Location? A teeny weeny tent at Fringe Lily Creek, Larapinta Trail, NT. Number of people in your residence on the night? 2. Do you own your residence (said tent) or is there a mortgage? …..I was really tempted to say we had a $10 mortgage on the tent!

A few censuses back, I took great pleasure in being able to list "cave" as my habitation on census night. No mortgage, no rent.
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail

Postby lseries92 » Sat 10 Feb, 2018 6:00 am

ribuck wrote:There are a few places where I have a bit of slack (especially as bushwalkers tend to move faster than the official timings). Also, I may go straight from Serpentine Chalet Dam to Ormiston Gorge in one day, in which case I will have an additional day for side trips.

This itinerary was mostly drawn up with a desire to minimise overnight water carrys. It's surprising how similar it ended up being to the one posted by canthardlywait.


This is close to the same itinerary that I did last year although I took an extra day to get to Jay Creek and did Mt Sonder at sunrise (left at 4:30am for a 7am sunrise - I think I was back by 11am or so). The day from Birthday Waterhole to Hugh Gorge Junction was my favourite - I loved walking up Spencer Gorge and down Razorback and the pool at Upper Hugh Gorge was a great place to spend the remainder of the afternoon (plus it helps you avoid a water carry).

One suggestion is to go from Serpentine Chalet Dam to Mt Giles Lookout or Hermit's (at the 17km marker) so you do not have a massive day 12. You will get a nice sunset and sunrise with a view of Mt Sonder plus you are still reasonably close to Ormiston Gorge to do a bit of exploring there (plus grab a meal from the kiosk - the food there is awesome). Possibly not enough time to do the pound walk though. The day out of Ormiston was quite short so I walked into Glen Helen and spent the afternoon there.
lseries92
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 135
Joined: Sat 20 Feb, 2016 3:32 pm
Region: Queensland
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail

Postby ribuck » Sun 11 Feb, 2018 12:37 am

lseries92 wrote:One suggestion is to go from Serpentine Chalet Dam to Mt Giles Lookout or Hermit's (at the 17km marker) so you do not have a massive day 12. You will get a nice sunset and sunrise with a view of Mt Sonder plus you are still reasonably close to Ormiston Gorge to do a bit of exploring there (plus grab a meal from the kiosk - the food there is awesome). Possibly not enough time to do the pound walk though.

Thanks for your feedback lseries92. I like the idea of staying at Hermit's Hideaway, but am discouraged by the need to carry overnight water from Serpentine Chalet Dam. In the other direction, I'd definitely camp at Hermit's.

I've done the pound walk on a previous trip, so not worried about that. If I end up with a spare day at Ormiston I'd like to do a day trip in the direction of Mt Giles.

Anyway, I expect I'll vary my itinerary according to weather, food, water, gear and fatigue.
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail

Postby lseries92 » Sun 11 Feb, 2018 9:12 am

If you stay at Waterfall Gorge you would normally have to do a water carry anyway (it was bone dry down there when I went through) although at least you would have less water for the tough climb out up to the Mt Giles lookout. People coming the other way would normally let you know the water situation although this stretch is known for not having much water.

I carried 7L of water rather than more normal 4L or so but as I had a food drop at Ormiston I was carrying little food - it was certainly lighter than when I left Standley to climb Brinkley for the night (I had 8L of water and 6 days food).

Some people I walked with for a few days did an overnighter to Bowman's Gap and highly recommended it . This is achievable as a day walk (I have not been there but the NT parks website says it is 9km each way).
lseries92
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 135
Joined: Sat 20 Feb, 2016 3:32 pm
Region: Queensland
Gender: Male


Return to South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests