Day 3 – Yanyanna Hut to Wilpena Pound – 24km

Total Distance – 66.8km

A Heysen Trail story

Well. I’m not sure of my decision to move into the tent. It rained all night long. 10% chance of rain – not so weather forecast. Not so.

I didn’t sleep well again. The sleeping bag. Boiling feet one minute and frozen as an icecube the next. During the night I decided I would spend an extra night in Hawker and try to sort out a new bag. This is a once in a lifetime trip. I need to enjoy my sleeping arrangements.

So, it was an early start again. And wet. Rain sprinkled haphazardly and the valleys were full of misty wonder. It occurs to me that it is a blessing to see the desert looking so moist and mysterious.

The beginning and the end of the walk today are the real highlights. To start, it’s up and up and up. Green vistas all around and made even more special by the slinking fog. I spy a group of 10 wallabies high in the rocks in the distance. I’d really like to think they were yellow footed rock wallabies. That would be ace.

The hilltops give way to big old riverbeds. Massive red river gums caretakers of the creeks. The rain has left moisture in the cracks and fissures. Birds, including two huge wedge tailed eagles swoop overhead.

The middle section of the walk follows the same track as the Mawson bike trail. Makes for easy walking over undulating hills. The pure abundance of rain is evident here in the verdant green pastures surrounding the trail. Roos startle me as they go about their business. A little joey gets too close, and the mother rouses at it to move away.

The final section of the trail is also relatively flat, though the huge bluffs of the pound begin to dominate the environment. It is an absolute pleasure to feel so small. Surrounded by these giants of rock.

I arrive at the campground by 2.30pm. Again, I’m really happy with how my body is going. Today seemed much simpler than yesterday – even though it was quite a bit hillier.

I set up my tent and dry it out. Book a meal in the restaurant. Have a long, hot, steaming shower that soothes my tired muscles. Throw on my town clothes. As I said to my support crew – I felt like a million dollars.

Having completed my resupply for a couple of days I was able to ring the head of my support crew. It was so good to chat to him and see him ever so briefly. The wifi here really isn’t very good.

I type this now in the restaurant having had a great burger and fries. It’s almost 7.30pm and I can feel my eyes beginning to fade. The time has come to roll into bed and get some rest. I’ve decided on a big, big day tomorrow….maybe.

People, track notes and other stuff

I ran into a total of two people on the track today. A couple of grizzled, old men (in the best possible way) with long scraggly white beards and colourful hats. They were riding electric bikes along the Mawson track and carrying a picnic to consume at the gorge. How pleasant to have a little conversation about the magnificence of the scenery.

The campsite is HUGE! Though there doesn’t seem a huge number of people here. Covid maybe? The IGA is well stocked with heaps of good resupply options. The shower is bloody brilliant. Good spray and hot, hot, hot. Free wifi at the visitor centre, IGA and resort, though it seems to work much better at the resort. And even that, isn’t great.