Day 92: Tue 18 Jun 24 - Dales Campground (Karijini NP)

Day 92: Tue 18 Jun 24 - Dales Campground (Karijini NP) 

27 to 28 Deg C, cloudy with a light wind in the afternoon. This morning I woke to watch a lovely sunrise that didn't last very long before clouds covered the sky. 

The cloudy conditions kept the temperature down making it ideal for hiking. Our plan was to only walk along the Dale Gorge Rim trail then return to the van, but we were both enjoying it so much, that we decided to enter the Gorge at Three Ways Lookout and walk back to Fortescue Falls via the bottom of the Gorge. Before making our way down into the Gorge, we walked a little further along the Rim Trail to the Circular Pool Lookout, before returning to Three Ways to start our slow descent. Safely at the bottom of the Gorge, we slowly walked back along the a creek side trail to Fortescue falls then climbed back up to the top at the other end and retruned to the van - a solid 7km effort. Noeleene surprised me with her willingness to do the walk, and she even thoroughly enjoyed it.  We were both a little weary when we returned, so after bit of lunch we had a longer than usual rest. At 3:00pm, we drove 10km to the Visitor Information Centre for information on the latest Gorge and trail closures noting the forecast rain tomorrow. As it happens, National Parks advised that they will close several gorges and roads at 5:00pm today, so we will have to wait until tomorrow to see how much rain falls, and what affect it has on the remainder of our stay at Karijini NP (we have three nights at the Karijini Eco retreat - another off-grid stay after leaving Dales on Thu). We will remain flexible. As we have no phone reception at Dales Campground, it was also a good opportunity to check missed calls and make a few calls while at the Visitor Centre. Back at the van we had another very quiet night (apart from a few murmerings from Noel that her legs are a bit sore). Fingers crossed the weather remains kind to us tomorrow🤞.

It's hard to imagine that 3 months ago today we set off from home on this trip. 


A stunning sunrise in Karijini NP

Our campsite in the morning sunlight - wonderful views from our patio and so very quiet. 

Our trek today - following the Dales Gorge Rim trail

Our trek today - following the Dales Gorge Rim trail

Wonderful views into Dales Gorge from the Rim trail

Wonderful views into Dales Gorge from the Rim trail

Wonderful views into Dales Gorge from the Rim trail

 Interesting tree shapes from the Rim trail

Wonderful views into Dales Gorge from the Rim trail

Wonderful views into Dales Gorge from the Rim trail

Wonderful views into Dales Gorge from the Rim trail. We eventually made our way down the rocks to the bottom of the gorge and walked back to Fortescue Falls along a creek side trail

Wonderful views into Dales Gorge from the Rim trail

Wonderful views into Dales Gorge from the Rim trail

Wonderful views into Dales Gorge from the Rim trail at Three Ways Lookout

Wonderful views into Dales Gorge from the Rim trail 

Wonderful views into Circular Pool from the Rim trail 

Making our way down into Dales Gorge from the Rim trail 

Making our way down into Dales Gorge

At the bottom of Dales Gorge

At the bottom of Dales Gorge

At the bottom of Dales Gorge looking up


Navigating the trail in Dales Gorge

The Black line that can be seen on the side at the top of this rock is 
 Blue Asbestos.

Copied from a Sign at the Visitor Centre. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) is a mineral with a distinctive blue colour and fibrous texture. It is found as seams between the layers of rock in banded iron-formations. Little is known about the origin of blue asbestos, although it is thought to have formed when the mineral riebeckite within the banded iron-formation was placed under stress. Mining of blue asbestos commenced sporadically in the 1930s, initially in Dales and Yampire Gorges, and ceased in 1966. More than 150,000 tonnes was produced, nearly all from Wittenoom Gorge. Another form of crocidolite is the golden-brown tiger eye. Well-formed specimens are used as semi-precious gems in jewellery.


The fibrous material seen left of centre in the rock is also Blue Asbestos 

Navigating the trail in Dales Gorge

Navigating the trail in Dales Gorge - Banded iron Formations

Copied from a Sign at the Visitor Centre. The Pilbara is commonly referred to as iron-ore country. The iron-ore is formed from ancient rocks called 'banded iron-formations'.

Deposits of banded iron-formation in the Pilbara are among the most extensive in the world.

The dark grey bands visible in the rocks are iron oxide and silica. This was deposited when volcanic activity caused the sea to become iron-rich. Iron reacted with the oxygen produced by the cyanobacteria, forming iron oxide. The red or white layers are mostly silica, deposited when the iron content in the ocean was low.


Navigating the trail in Dales Gorge - Banded iron Formations

Navigating the trail in Dales Gorge

Navigating the trail in Dales Gorge

Navigating the trail in Dales Gorge

A Rock Pool in Dales Gorge

Navigating the trail in Dales Gorge

Navigating the trail in Dales Gorge - Arrival at Fortescue Falls...Now to climb back up

Navigating the trail in Dales Gorge - Climbing back up at Fortescue Falls

On the way back up to the Gorge Rim - More Gorge...ous views

Back at the start...well almost, just another 1km walk back to the caravan

Afternoon visit to the Visitor Information Centre - a very nice facility.


Visitor Information Centre - Everything you want to know (and more) about the local Traditional Owners, Wildlife, Flora and the Geology. 


Comments

  1. ColJune 19, 2024 at 1:52 PM

    When you get to the Eco Retreat side of Karijini you *must* do Hancock Gorge / Kermit's Pool.

    ReplyDelete

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