Details
Location: Gate 7, Piggott Range Rd, Onkaparinga Hills
Tracks: Nature Hike, Part of the Sundews Trail to the Lookout.
Grade: Hard
Time: 1 hour
Length: 2.5 km
Map: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/pdfs/BROCHURE_ONKAPARINGA.PDF
http://www.communitywebs.org/OnkaparingaParks/pdf_files/OnkWalks.pdf
Description
The Gorge Access Trail - Leaving from Gate 7 - a steep climb down to the Onkaparinga River. Beautiful birds, wild mushrooms, ground ferns. The dew stays around the ground cover throughout the day. The end of the trail at the river is a popular place for picnics. On the other side you can see the rockclimbers scaling the cliff face. It is a tranquil, peaceful beautiful part of the world.
Our Story
I was surprised when I mapped this hike, to find that it was only 2.5 km! It felt longer than that! Possibly because of the tracks terrain. It was steep and it was rocky. Not steep like the small section that we climbed up and down at Shepherds Hill Rec Park where I had to use my hands as well (!), but it was a constant downward walk over some rocky terrain.
Coming back up surprised me as well. I thought it was going to be really tough - a real fitness test. But after the initial 200 metres it was fine. A steady climb but not over exhausting. I'd like to say it was a testimony to my fitness! But my fitness is really only just starting to return again after a break from doing regular exercise! No, this was just a good climb. Constant but steady.
The bushland on this hike constantly changed as we went through the different stages. It was incredible. As we got lower it became lusher and moister. It was amazing how in the middle of the day, the dew was still on the ground cover. Little droplets of water on leaves and mushrooms and flowers. Just gorgeous.
At the bottom of the track is a perfect little setting. It is rocks right to the edge of the river with bushland on either side. We set up our picnic and soaked in the surroundings. It was disappointing to see an extremely large and bright blue graffiti scribble on the rockface on the other side. You could actually see it through the trees from about 2/3 of the way down the track. I thought it might have been something to do with the rockclimbers, but no. We soon found out why the graffiti was there.
We were followed down the track by a teenage couple - in thongs would you believe!!! It was really interesting to here the guy's story of how they used to jump from the sheer rock face on the other side into the river. It seems to be an extremely popular spot for the teens to come. At the moment, the river is quite shallow though and it's not possible to do it. But he was saying how the river used to be deeper and in one particular spot there is quite a deep pool. They had to be careful to make sure they landed in exactly the right spot. Far too dangerous.
On our side of the river, there was a swinging rope to hang on to, and while the teenagers couldn't jump in the water because it was too shallow, they proceeded to swing out and back on it. I was just hoping they didn't lose their grip. Fortunately all was good and a little while later they headed back up the track in their thongs!
After lunch, Dave spent time taking some macro shots and I wandered over to the edge of the rocks. I found tracks going in both directions along the river. I've done the Sundews Trail further down the river. But on that day we came across an unpassable rock and had to turn back. Now I know the trail continues beyond that rock and I'm looking forward to going back there and seeing how far we can get!
Whilst we were there we noticed people walking along the trails high up the cliffs on the other side of the river. They were rock climbers about to start their climb up. It was incredible watching them working the ropes, getting everything just right and then scaling straight up the rock face. As we climbed back up the trail, we were able to keep watching them as well as seeing another pair further along. It would be quite an adrenalin rush! But I think I was stick to trail hunting!
So, the Gorge Access Trail. Another of my favourites, providing more opportunity for trail hunting, a good hill climb, a great place to picnic and fabulous nature and views for photography.
Slideshow of more photos from this hike
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1 comment:
Two mates and myself did the gorge from the top of sundews all the way to old noarlunga. there was no trail for about 5 hours and involved alot of climbing and river crossings. a trail developed when we got close to chappel hill andit was a further 2 hours to old noarlunga. was a good adventure trek if you dont mind getting wet up to waist deep. take spare socks.
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