Another cold night- temperatures dropped down to 6 degrees and we were freezing when we got up. Some hot tea and coffee later, however, we were ready for adventure. We wanted to tackle the hike to Kermits Pool in Hancock Gorge. This is a class 5 hike but I found it more difficult to navigate than other class 5s we had done so far.
It starts with a steep descent on metal ladders. Then you walk down a path with partly loose rock. When you reach the pools you need to change shoes as you continue through water. The first pool is about chest height, the second one is so deep that we decided to leave our backpacks behind. That turned out to be the right decision as soon we would be swimming through ice cold water.
That morning we were the first ones to arrive at Kermit’s Pool. When we got to the last part of the gorge we looked at the slope down to Kermit’s Pool. It is quite narrow and the rocks are slippery even with water shoes. It leaves you two options: either you slide down on your behind or you walk like a spider with your hands and feet pushing to the side of the rock.
I decided that that was my limit- I would not do this one. Hubby was torn about it but did not want to tackle the hike alone. Just when we were about to turn around a group came into the gorge that was led by two tour guides. As they knew how to go down the slope hubby decided to join them while I turned around back to our backpacks and changed quickly into dry, warm clothes.
After lunch in the parking lot picnic area we took on the second hike for the day: a descent down Hamcock Gorge. Nature is beautiful here. The lush green spinifex grass gives the rocks a soft look- but actually they are quite prickly.
From Hancock gorge you can directly access the hike to Handrail Pool. This water hole got it‘s name from the iron rails that help you climb down the rocks into the pool. Again, the water was freezing but in order to reach the last pool you need to make your way through swimming. So we did. And it is well worth it!
On our way up from the pool we met two park rangers on their control hike down to the gorge and had a nice chat with them about the area. We met them again on our last lookout for the day: Oxer Lookout- a view point overlooking Hamcock Gorge.
We closed the day with live music at the camping ground.
