Clem Corner & Alison Saddle Australia 7-11-2019

On a recent visit to Australia, we stayed at the RAWNSLEY PARK STATION in the FLINDERS RANGE of OUTBACK SOUTH AUSTRALIA  where we went on one of the walks. In fact, it was a few of the short walks that you can put together to make a longer one that lasted for about four hours. It comprised of Clem Corner, Kangaroo Lookout & Alison Saddle. There is another walk joined on that takes you to Pines Cave but we didn't do this part as it was quite hot and it would of taken another 90 minutes or so and in the heat of the day we decided to leave that part out. This part of the outback has been struggling in a drought that has gone on for some years. Talking to a ranger at the park, he told me the last decent rain was about 4 years ago and judging by the dusty conditions you could see this. There was quite literally no sign of any water anywhere. All the creeks were bone dry and the wind was blowing the dust around and in places there was some dust storms going on. We didn't get any major dust storm but you could see it blowing around in the distance and the wind did whip it up in and around the area we were staying in. The ground was bone dry it was hard to see how anything could live out here but manage they did, the birds, kangaroos and any reptiles knocking about.
The walk started from our base as we followed the signs out through the bush camping area and up passed the dam, which was empty of any water but there was a kangaroo feeding on the last remaining patches of green grass that was hanging on, towards a gully that is a dry creek bed covered in rocks and flanked by old gum trees. We came a cross one or two skeletons of kangaroos that had suffered in the drought but thankfully we didn't see any snakes that frequent this area which is good as some of the deadliest snakes in the world live in these parts!! Plenty of Galah's (pink & grey cockatoos) making their presence heard.

Our home

One of the many Galah's in the area

Setting off through the bush campsite

One lonely 'roo enjoying some green grass in what should be the dam. A large bowl like area that holds all the rain

This dam should be full of water but no rain for at least 4 years

Through the bush campsite

Follow that sign

Up towards the gully

Up towards the gully

Following the dry creek

following the dry creek

One of the many that didn't make it

Up towards Clem Corner

The track was easy to follow as it is signposted and looks well trodden in the dry conditions. The scenery was your typical outback, warm, dry, dusty, and plenty of flies!! Oh the flies, they get everywhere and you can't get rid of them. You can try and ignore them but they don't ignore you, oh no, they treat you as a resting area and hitch a ride everywhere that you go. Harmless enough and you do sort of get used to them after a while but at least they are one thing that dosen't want to kill you :-) We reached the first stop of Clem Corner before we headed up to the cairn on the Ulowdna Range for some great views all round this area including the Elder Range across to the Rawnsley Bluff and the Southern side of WILPENA POUND

Up on to the summit of the Ulawdna Range

Up on to the summit of the Ulawdna Range

Ulawdna Range Summit Cairn

Ulawdna Summit views across to Wilpena

Flies, what flies!!

We made our way down and around to the Kangaroo Gap Lookout following the track through the pine trees and rocks hoping we didn't stumble across any snakes. I say hoping we didn't, but secretly I was hoping that we did see one, at a distance, just to say that we did see one but alas, they were keeping well out of site and probably in the cool of any shade that we couldn't find. When we did find somewhere to rest, the flies seemed to increase in their numbers making it a short rest and in the increasing heat it made it hard going. Despite the flies and the heat, it was very enjoyable and a great way to see this very parched landscape that is badly in need of water.

Through the pines

Kangaroo Gap Lookout

We didn't or couldn't hang around here so off we went towards the dry Kangaroo Creek that we crossed following the trail through more of the native pines. Despite the lack of any water, the trees were looking a bit green, the only colour apart from the red rusty ground and rocks and shows just how resilient they are out here. We got through a couple of bottles of water each and you certainly needed it out here. We were never far from the camping ground, although at times it felt we were on another planet but water and some food is certainly needed so we were well hydrated for the walk. We followed the track to the path junction where we headed upto Alison Saddle overlooking the park Cabins and restaurant. We could of carried on to the Pines Cave and come back along the ridge of the Ulawdna Range but as I said before, it would of meant another 90 minutes and in this heat we decided to head back for a cooling dip in the pool. I did head up to another cairn above the Saddle just for the hell of it though while Jill rested, keeping the flies at bay by wearing her newly bought anti fly head gear, which worked a treat :-)

Crossing the dry Kangaroo Creek

Following the fenceline

Follow that sign

Through more pines

Keeping the flies at bay:-)

Left at the crossroads

On the way to Allison Saddle

On the way to Allison Saddle

A quick detour to the top

Another summit cairn on the Ulawdna Range

View down onto the cabins and across to Rawnsley Bluff

Summit view South towards Hawker

Down through the cabin area and back along the track to our base where we had a welcome dip in the pool and a nice cool drink to end a great 4 hour walk in this dry, dusty and remarkable place. A place well worth visiting if you're in the this area of Australia :-)

Past the cabins

Old horse cart and store

Looking across to Allison Saddle and the Ulawdna Range

Back to Base

Cooling off

Keeping the flies at bay :-)

A fantastic walk in this very dry area. If you ever find yourself here then this is a great walk that can be extended or broken in to smaller walks if needed. There are of course a few longer and tougher walks in the area but just be aware of the weather conditions and have plenty of water, and a fly net :-)
https://www.rawnsleypark.com.au/experiences/bushwalking-trails/