E2E14 Eyre Depot – Morelana Drive

The first week of End to End 14’s final two weeks on the Heysen Trail starting at Eyre Depot trekking through to the walkout from the trail to Morelana Drive.

We have six days of memorable walking with highlights including the gradual climb through the range and walk along the creek line from Eyre Depot, the climb up and over Mt Arden with its panoramic vistas, traverse of Buckaringa Gorge and the spectacular views from Jarvis Hill (truly one of the “WOW” moments on the trail). Further details are below in “Walk Specifics”.

Travel to Quorn Sat 7th June

1st Walk Sun 8th #50: Eyre Depot to Warren Gorge 13.2km – After climbing back into the range, walkers enter Depot Creek which winds its way northwards. The gradual climb up the winding creek bed with its waterfalls and rocky sections can make progress very slow. After climbing back into the range, walkers enter Depot Creek which winds its way northwards. The gradual climb up the winding creek bed with its waterfalls and rocky sections can make progress very slow. Walkers can choose to use the spur trail to Warren GorgeWe exit via the spur trail to Warren Gorge.

2nd Walk Mon 9th #51: Warren Gorge to Buckaringa Gorge 21.9km – Starting from Warren Gorge we will use the scenic spur trail to meet the through-trail at Peter’s Corner and head north towards Mount Arden South campsite. Just north of the campsite the trail leaves the creek to climb the exposed Mount Arden summit for spectacular 360 degree views. The trail then follows the main ridgeline before descending down to a pretty but rugged creek to exit at Buckaringa Gorge.

3rd Walk Tue 10th #52: Buckaringa Gorge to Calabrinda Creek 22km – This is a predominantly flat walk below rocky outcrops. The trail then leads across Willochra Plain to Partacoona Station.

Re-Locate to Hawker Wed 11th

4th Walk Thu 12th #53: Calabrinda Creek to Jarvis Hill 26.5km – This is a long but fairly fast walk, initially along vehicle tracks, then over open grazing land along the face of Yappala Range and past the historic Mt Elm school site to Jarvis Hill carpark.

5th Walk Fri 13th #54: Jarvis Hill to Leigh Creek Rd (Old Wonoka) 10km – One of the gems of the Trail, this ridge walk provides spectacular views and many photo opportunities. It is a short walk,but may still take up to 4 -5 hours because of the terrain and photo stops.

Note: we skip Walk #55: Leigh Creek Rd (Old Wonoka) to Mt Little Station in this first week and come back to it on our final week of walking in August

6th Walk Sat 14th #56: Mt Little Station to Moralana Scenic Drive 32.4km – This section of the Trail follows picturesque Mernmerna Creek and Slaty Creek to the Red Range campsite. Continuing on north from the campsite is an easy and pretty walk with gentle undulations, along creeklines and through native pine woodlands, in the shadow of Elder Range and Mt Aleck. However, the overall walk is long and cannot be shortened as there are strictly no public access entries or exits as the section is encompassed by Private Property.

Travel Home Sun 15th

NOTE ON THESE WALKS: YOU WILL LIKELY ENCOUNTER ROUGH, ROCKY, UNEVEN, SLIPPERY, MUDDY WHEN WET TRACKS, OLD FENCING, CLAMBERING ALONG CREEK LINES, EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS (HOT& COLD) ARE ALL THINGS THAT MAY BE EXPERIENCED ON THIS WEEK OF WALKING

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BRING: – APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR AND CLOTHING, PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT, MORNING TEA, LUNCH, SNACKS, ELECTROLYTES. MINIMUM OF  2-3LTRS WATER. “”ALWAYS CARRY A GOOD RAINCOAT “”

PLEASE BRING A BOOT BAG AND SPARE SHOES TO GET CHANGED INTO AT END OF DAY IF WET WEATHER SETS IN. THIS WILL ENSURE BUS DOESN’T FILL UP WITH MUD. THIS CAN BE LEFT IN THE HOLD UNDER BUS.

THIS IS A MULTI DAY WALK. REGISTRATION REQUIRES PAYMENT OF THE FULL BUS FEE. WALK FEES ALSO APPLY UNLESS YOU HAVE PURCHASED GOLDEN BOOTS. ACCOMMODATION AND MEAL COSTS ARE NOT INCLUDED

You will need to organise your own Accommodation at Quorn and Hawker. Our base will be Quorn from Saturday June 7 to Wednesday morning check-out on June 11 when will be transferring to Hawker on that day and we will be based at Hawker until Sunday June 15.

Those registering are invited to travel on the bus, at no extra cost, from Strathalbyn or Crafers or Adelaide to Quorn, then Hawker and return. If you intend to travel on the bus from and to Adelaide PLEASE ADVISE in the “INCLUDE A NOTE” COMMENTS SECTION when Registering. You will get further details under “Event Meeting Location” when you book.

For the trip from Adelaide the Bus is capable of taking up to 20 passengers and with luggage. So be early to indicate your interest.

Those traveling by Bus are asked to pack all clothing, food etc into suitcases, eskies, cardboard boxes or plastic containers, to ensure that luggage can be stacked on top of one-another without fear of it being squashed

If you choose to drive your own vehicle to Quorn & Hawker, you are still required to pay the full Bus Fee.

On Walking Days the bus drops us off at the walk start and collects us from the walk finish – further details can be found under “Meeting Location” when you book.

Group Functions: Welcome Drinks planned for Saturday 7th 4:00pm Quorn Thompson Memorial Playground and a group dinner is planned for Hawker Hotel Thursday June 12 – please select if you wish to attend them.

Please Note: A week or so after registering you will be advised of TRAINING walks you may like to join as preparation for our week of walking in June.

Should you need to withdraw from any walk please advise Mark Fletcher 0402085880 CALL or TEXT

Walk Difficulty – The Heysen Trail walks are demanding and suitable for experienced walkers who have walked regularly in various terrain consisting of long-distance trails with some steep inclines/declines, irregular surface with loose uneven, slippery base. They have a walking time of about 5 to 7 hours and will require a good degree of physical fitness.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.