Glorious clours again this morning on the Gorge walls. Went for a bit of a walk before setting off.
First Stop, however, was just down the road at the Polished Glacier Rocks. Glacial polish is a characteristic of rock surfaces where glaciers have passed over bedrock, typically granite or other hard igneous or metamorphic rock. Moving ice will carry pebbles and sand grains removed from upper levels which in turn grind a smooth or grooved surface upon the underlying rock. The presence of such polish indicates that the glaciation was relatively recent (in geologic time scale) or was subsequently protected by deposition, as such polish will be subsequently lost due to weathering processes (such as exfoliation). That hasn't happened here with the rocks very polished. Most interesting.
Onto the Woodie Woodie Road and past the two sisters (rocks). At various spots along this road, sculptures have been installed. We're not sure how many but we did see a kangaroo sculpture just prior to the turn off down to Eel Pool.
Also known as “Running Waters”, Eel pool is a deep long pool, one of the many channels that make up the Oakover River. The pristine waters are shaded by ancient paperbark trees. A very rocky track in but well worth the effort. The pool is an amazing green colour, very clear and well populated with fish up to about 15cm long. The water was also warm being fed by a stream that was also warm.
Further down Skull Creek Road, we turned north on a 4WD track to Upper Carawine Gorge. No cliffs here (not sure why it is called a gorge). Had to check the depth before crossing the river (only a little over knee hight) and a very rough exit. Then it was back into open country for the eight kilometres back to the Woodie Woddie Road. Quite a few flat-topped mountains (guess they're Mesas). A rough track, rather washed out in places, but spectacular scenery. Lots of wildflowers (not sure they were all native though), including Sturts Desert Pea. A really interesting drive - definitely 4WD. We even spotted a dingo on the road on the way home.
A lovely fire again tonight and more amazing colours.
