Kings Canyon Rim Walk

DAY 12 – KINGS CANYON

Said goodbye to the Parsons this morning and set off on our Kings Canyon walk, hailed by my husband as the most difficult walk of the Hansen Trek!!  The most surprising thing for David and I so far has been the fantastic way the kids have walked, and walked, AND WALKED, with no whinging!!!  Especially Tess – who has often been leading the pack!!  And some of the walks we have done so far have not been easy.  This walk is promoted as “difficult” and was about 7.2kms with diversions.  The first part of the walk was extraordinarily difficult with a very steep ascent up rocks to the top of the canyon – 100m high and very steep!!  Mummy, even after six months of the gym, was really puffing!!  The walk along the top of the canyon was just stunning.  You felt like you were on top of the world and in the middle of absolutely nowhere – which of course, you are!  The red rock cliffs are extraordinarily beautiful.

The next part of the walk is descending down into the “Garden of Eden” where there is a beautiful waterhole.  The bottom of the canyon is resplendent with ghost gums, cycads (relicts from the dinosaur age) and beautiful birds.  So cool and restful.  Then up to the top of the canyon again, a big walk up steps to the plateau with stunning outlooks down through the valley to Kings Creek.  Poor Bridgie was struggling by the end but I kept her entertained by doing the last kilometre or so, whilst getting her to count in fours to 140!!   A teacher of Grade 4’s in front of us was very impressed.  We had a lazy afternoon turning the tent into a picture theatre, complete with movie and popcorn!  Of course, Mummy fell asleep in the back row.  Must be all that washing I was doing at midnight the night before!!

The kids would not hear of us not going to see “The Roadies” for the third night in a row!!  I don’t think they could believe we were back again.  But the kids are just loving it.  Off to Alice tomorrow and I am very excited.  Just one of those towns I have always wanted to see.  We are there for five nights which will be really lovely especially with Tess’ birthday on Saturday.