2 Geckos Travelling Australia: Mon, 21st Dec, 2015 Plantation Campground, Grampian State Forest, Vic (Grand Canyon and Pinnacle Lookout)

19 degrees at 8am – what a difference to the 43 degree heat we had. The windows are closed and we are under the blanket!! Overcast this morning but the clouds are clearing as we head off.

Back up Mt Victory Road and into Wonderland Road (410m elevation) – named because it is in the Wonderland Range. First a 1.2km walk to Turret Falls via Pansy Falls. It has an elevation change of 110m and as we walked along the track we realised we are just below the range road. Looking back over the angled mountain side.

We chatted with an Asian couple with two children as we walked along. They said someone told them there wasn’t any water coming over the falls – now we find out!! We kept going anycase. There are only puddles of water in Stony Creek as we follow it upstream. Not sure where Pansy Falls is supposed to be but there was a rock wall that could have been it. I walked off the track when I spotted some water. It was where the creek was dribbling over a rocky ledge to make Turret Falls.

There was only a dribble going over so I walked over the rocky ledge to the other side while Steve cleaned out the waterway to get some extra water over the Falls.

Got a bit more happening on the first waterfall.

Then he got the other one going a bit better too.

That was thrilling so we headed back down the track back to the carpark. Passed the couple again as they gave up so I showed them a photo.

Walked down to the start of the other walks and found a map and a photo of what Turret Falls should have looked like. We will do the Grand Canyon walk now, it has an elevation of 60m and is a 900m circuit with a medium grade. There is a shorter walk with less elevation to The Pinnacle from the Sundial carpark (110m elevation compared to this one which is 280m elevation).

Crossed over Stony Creek which had lots of stones and only a little water!! Following little yellow triangles over the rocks.

I wonder how they set up all these huge stepping stones!!

Fabulous rock formations as we climb up into the Grand Canyon.

Looking back towards the carpark.

Continued on to the end then climbed the stairs.

Definitely a ‘Grand’ Canyon – down then up.

Up more stairs and out of the canyon.

On top looking around and then down the canyon.

We can just make out the carpark.

It is like Fleet Street up here – so many nationalities. We can either that the other track back to the carpark or 2.1km on to The Pinnacle. Since we were this far we kept on – lucky we had brought our water bottles as it has warmed up now on these rocks.

Found a Cool Chamber though if we need it.

Steve pointed out the covered up graffiti on the rock face.

Continued on enjoying the views.

Steve reckons we have to go over that ridge to get to The Pinnacle.

Came to an intersection where we could continue on another 1.2km to The Pinnacle or take another route that was 3.2km – now which one should we take!! Short one of course. That brought us to the Bridal Veil Falls – which would be nice if there was any water.

Still climbing over the rocks.

Looking back down the side of the mountain towards the carpark.

More climbing – has Wonga Mick been here?

Nearly to the top of this slope.

Then down into ‘Silent Street’ a narrow gap in the rocks. Pretty special I must admit. Wasn’t very silent though with so many people coming and going.

The view back.

Getting narrower.

Out onto the top again. Steve found a rock that needed pushing back up.

Up a bit further then we turn to the left.

Looking down to the carpark – WOW.

The sun is warm but the breeze is quite cool. Looking across to Mt Difficult Range and somewhere in there is Boroka Lookout.

Zoomed in a ridge further south.

At last we have arrived – The Pinnacle Lookout.

Wow oh Wow – what a view even though we don’t have a clear blue sky. Looking across the escarpment with Halls Gap below.

Some people found a nice spot for their lunch – the crow joining them.

Panned around then took a video.

Lake Bellfield.

Time for a selfie or two.

Zoomed in on Mount William – we are planning to walk to that one – there is a road most of the way up and then you have to walk the last 2km of the road to the summit.

Looking down on Halls Gap.

As we didn’t bring our lunch we headed back before our knees seized up. Steve’s aren’t happy and I have a pinch running down my right leg pulling on my knee – we are cracking up!!

Back through the narrow bit into Silent Street.

Back to the top of the Grand Canyon.

Took the shorter track back to the carpark.

Nearly down – I zoomed in on the gap between Wonderland and Mt Difficult Ranges to the fields in the distance.

Made it back to the truck. Glad we did the walk from here as we would have missed out on the Silent Street which was amazing. Got our lunches and found a picnic table to rest. The choughs entertained us trying to eat our apple cores. Decided we needed a rest so headed back down the range to Halls Gap. We rewarded ourselves with an icecream – Baileys & Macadamia for me and Stairway to Heaven for Steve – though it wasn’t as good as Mures in Hobart.

Back to the van where I worked on my blog and Steve read his latest magazine. Needed to charge my laptop we went for a drive in the late afternoon. Headed in the opposite direction towards Roses Gap. Turned in at Heatherlie Quarry sign but it was a 1.2km walk – nah.

Continued along the base of Mt Difficult Range and then past Briggs Bluff at the end. There area was severely burnt in 2014.

Turned left at Roses Gap – thought it might have been a narrow one but it was wide and there was a Recreation Centre and accommodation place there. Continued up the road to a camp area at Troopers Creek which is below Mt Difficult itself.

The campground (a free one) was closed due to the fire. On the roadside was a sign stating this road was ‘Old Adelaide Road’ and the other side explained why it was called Troopers Creek.

Turned around and headed back along Mt Zero Road. There were 4wd tracks headed up to the base of the range so had a look – very soft white sand. Nothing at the end so decided they must just be for fire access.

Further along was marked Mt Difficult Track 4WD which runs along the base of the range parallel with Mt Zero Road. Travelled along it for a while then a creek area stopped us so back we went.