Fri, 11th May, 2018 Tjingkulatjatjarra Pool to Desert Queen Baths, Rudall River National Park , WA

7.30am 23 degrees. Lots of birds tweeting and enjoying the water. The dingoes were back early this morning for a quick howl then another session just before sunrise.

Had breakfast watching the ducklings – boy do they zoom along underwater.

A kingfisher landed on the tree and I just managed to get a photo before he zoomed off.

Nice breeze and wispy clouds as we headed back out. Looking along the riverbed just beyond the pool.

Back out to the turnoff then continued north. Easier driving though the track is eroded in places and there are still a lot of little gullies to cross. A flock of galahs flew off as we passed by. Still no sign of any kangaroos. Interesting rock sticking out of the hill.

Travelling on over open area with the long Watrara Range on the left and various hills on the right. Videoed as we were travelling then stopped and took a video of the scenery before we turned off to head down to Desert Queen Baths.

Turned onto a narrow 2 wheel track with shrubbery each side making a tunnel effect.

Lots of interesting hills of the Broadhurst Range as we slowly wound our way down the track. 10 to 20kph – 18km took us just over an hour. Took a video from left to right of the range, hills and range on the other side.

Spotted a track – will have to check that out later.

Finally turned up towards Rooney Gorge. There was a couple of campers under one group of trees at the end of the track and another couple under another. We stopped a chatted with a German couple who come out each year to explore. They were just about to head off to check out the ‘baths’. The other campers were already up there.

We went back to another bigger cleared area – probably where the tour group was last night – and had a cuppa. We decided to check out the other track on the other side so headed across the flat plain towards it. It looks like it goes up to a cave.

Across Rooney Creek which would flow down out of the gorge when in flood.

The track was lots of river stone rocks. Steve thought it looked like a pad at the top so up we went. I took a video on our way up.

Oops – no pad and boy it is not a nice angle. I got out!!

Only need one of us to roll down the hillside. Oh yeah I have full faith in Steve’s ability but I thought I would be better out of the truck taking a video!!

Nice view from up here at least but we probably should have walked up. Looking along the green trees in Rooney creek bed then up to the gorge. Took another video trying to calm my nerves.

The cave itself was a letdown – looks like the artwork is very old. The rock is made up of all the river rocks so this whole area must have been a river bed at one stage and has either eroded or been pushed up. Hence the path of round rocks back to the bottom.

Steve spent time checking out the situation then slowly – oh so slowly – he crept his way back to a bit of a flatter area off to my right. My heart was in my mouth as I videoed him. I said to him later how did he feel and he said ‘I got myself into this mess I just have to stay calm and work a way out of it’. Thank goodness he has nerves of steel and of course understands what our truck can do etc in these situations.

Finally he got back to the bottom. Now for me to get down the hill. Steve is such a gentleman that he walked back up to get me as I would have sat on my bottom to go down – I had the feeling that the rocks will roll away underneath me.

At last we were at the bottom and heading back to the camp spot. Steve was all cool about the experience – which is good – but I don’t think we will be going up steep tracks without walking them first!

Set up camp beside a nice gum tree. When I opened up the table a little frog was trapped inside – silly thing. We got some water in a bucket for him and were going to let him go in the pool but he decided to jump out and disappeared up the tree. Hopefully he will get to water.

Had lunch then set off to explore the pools. The other couples had come back so we chatted with them first. They are from NSW with Tvan campers. They came across on the Gary Highway (one of Len Beadell’s) and are heading to Carawine Gorge and then WA coast etc.

I had shorts on as the photo I had seen it showed walking over rocks. Unfortunately all the grass has grown up so it was scratchy legs for me. The others said they had cleared the way of the many spiders’ webs – they missed a few!! There are 6 pools up this gorge I read but as we walked past some yukky looking ones I’m not sure what they would count as a pool.

The first one.

Further up was a nicer one. The others said to look up high on the rock face for 3 painted goannas which we did - very faint – on the 3^rd flat surface going up.

Steve found a rope and thought he might go for a ski. Obviously it used to be up in a tree.

Nice pool. The German couple came down for a swim. She got in off the rocks and was quite vocal about the temperature. Will have to think about getting in then. There is a sandy section on the other side so we might try there after we have walked up the gorge some more.

Went back down the track then crossed over at the lower end of this one and back to the sandy area. Zoomed in on a cave on the other side.

Continued on to the end of that pool. Looking back.

Not the easiest stroll up the creek. Lots of little dragonflies flittering about.

Wet sections with lots of reeds coming out of it. The flower looked like cotton but when Steve touched it thousands of little bits of white fluff went everywhere – all over me!

Further on we found a cave with a few paintings.

It goes further inside. Looking back out – makes a nice photo.

We could hear buzzing and further around we spotted a bee hive.

Not a nice looking pool is beneath it.

We crossed over – more cobwebs and continued alongside a long pool.

On the wall of rock we spotted a cave which went around and opened on the other side.

Further up looking at the other entrance.

These trees amaze me how they can grow anywhere. Yet if you tried to plant it there it would die.

Further on past another ‘pool’.

Clambering over the big rocks on the side rather than trying to get through the reedy grasses and we still run into cobwebs.

A lava-looking rock – only one I have seen. Like when we walked up the other creek there was just one or two of these around.

Onto a long rock ledge going across the creek back for a look back down over another pool.

Decided we had seen enough so headed back to check out the 3 Goanna Pool.

Steve found the slab for the 11^th Commandment – I decided that should be ‘Thou shalt not go up steep hills in truck’.

Back to the pool and no one was around so stripped off for a dip. Well I got the feet in first – freezing.

Steve braved it first as I had to take the photos!! Rebecca & Clive would be proud of us. We thought of Shane & Doreen when we took some photos but I don’t think anyone needs to see too close up shots!

Of course then it was my turn – put a couple of photos in after I deleted a lot!!

Dried off and headed back feeling very refreshed. Found this very heavy steel plate beside the pool. Now how did that get here.

Found a different track back – not so scratchy on the legs but had to negotiate a few more spiders’ webs.

Found a pretty flower.

Crossed over the bottom pool – looking up and down Rooney Creek.

Back to camp for a cuppa and another bit of typing of my blog. Joined the others for drinks with the Germans then headed back before it got too dark to get the fire going and cook dinner. The breeze is quite cool and has blown all the wispy clouds away.

Spotted a few satellites then played a few games of Skipbo. Dingoes howled – sounded like up in the gorge and another answered from the top of the rocks.