Larapinta - Simpsons To Ellery - Suggestions

[ZiKat]

Hi All,
Long time follower , first time poster!
Looking at the Larapinta - Simpsons to Ellery. Walking East to West. Four walkers in 40's , moderate fitness and moderate experience mostly walking VIC.
Can anyone help with an itinerary suggestion?
How many days would an approx. expectation be to complete this section if we dont want to Rush? Confused as NT websites recommends 9 days , others say 5 nights 6 days.
What are the most picturesque camp spots?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Looking at undertaking this in August.
ZiKat

[ribuck]

I would do Simpsons Gap - Jay Creek - Standley Chasm via high route - Brinkley Bluff high camp (carry water) - Fringe Lily Creek (water 10 mins downstream) - Hugh Gorge with side-trip to Hugh Gorge Waterhole - Rocky Gully - Ellery Creek South.

This assumes your party are OK with carrying a five-day pack, plus water for Brinkley Bluff. It would be normal to leave a food drop at Standley Chasm so that you don't need to carry food for 7 days from Simpsons Gap.

The last two days across the plains are less interesting, and if you are OK with a long day you could skip the overnight stop at Rocky Gully.

You could add a stop at Fourfive Junction if you like.

I haven't actually done this itinerary. In 2018, I did Simpsons Gap - Jay Creek - Standley Chasm via high route - Brinkley Bluff - Fourfive Junction (shortish day) - Hugh Gorge Junction with side trip to Hugh Gorge Waterhole - Bush camp between Ghost Gum Flat and Rocky Gully (carry water from Hugh Gorge) - Ellery Creek South.

In 2021, I did Ellery Creek South - Rocky Gully - Hugh Gorge Junction (with side trip to Hugh Gorge Waterhole) - Stuarts Pass (water carry from Fourfive Junction) - Standley Chasm - Jay Creek - Simpsons Gap.

I hope this gives you some ideas. My only real recommendations are to include the side trip to Hugh Gorge Waterhole (adds 1 hour), to take the high route between Jay Creek and Standley Chasm (adds 1 hour), and to do a high camp on Brinkley Bluff if weather conditions permit.

Standley Chasm has showers and a cafe, but if you don't want to camp amongst cars you could replace it with an overnight at Millers Flat (water in puddles/spring in the Creek upstream, will need treatment, or you may find good water in Mesic Gully on your way down from the high route).

[Warin]

You may be interested in a photographs blog on the Larapinta...

https://www.louisedenton.com/blog

[ZiKat]

Great , Thanks ribuck and Warin. I have always loved this forum for the wealth of information and how open all the users seem to be.
Very similar to what we were thinking!
Any idea of Track issues / problems / any further information which may help us along these sections?
Gratefull!

[ribuck]

The NP currently can't access the water tanks at Fourfive Jn and Hugh Gorge due to road damage. If the water tank is empty, collect water from 15 min downstream of Fourfive Jn, or ten min upstream of Hugh Gorge camp.

[ZiKat]

AMAZING. Thank you. So looking forward to this walk! Never walking in central Australia before so really looking forward to it!

[Waratah67]

When are you planning on walking Zikat? Please let us know how you go. My mate and I are walking similar route late July 2022.

[ZiKat]

Hey Waratah67,
Looking at walking August 22. You guys will just beat us to it. Would love to hear how you got on when you return!
ZiKat.