Mt Jess Track Walkers Camp to Lake Becking Camp, Sunset Remote Walk, Murray~Sunset National Park - September 2022

The SRW passed through an area full of native pines at one stage today.

Once again last night I'd enjoyed a good nights sleep in my quilt, there is no doubt that I enjoy a quilt more than a sleeping bag in all but the coldest conditions. We had a fairly long walk in front of us today and then I had a six hour drive home so I could front up at work at 5am tomorrow, so needless to say we didn't linger at camp for too long this morning. After a quick breakfast we were packed up and on our way by around 8am this morning. 

Time to fire up again. 

Time to head off again.

Almost immediately after leaving camp we crossed the Mt Jess Track whereby the SRW swung onto a west - southwest bearing which we'd walk for the next few hours. Once again today the variety of the country that we were walking through was impressive, one minute we'd be walking grassy flats, then we'd be up on spinifex covered dunes that came with something resembling long range views. 

At one stage today we crossed an area that had been fairly badly burnt. 

After around 12 kilometres the country changed again and we found ourselves meandering through an area full of native pines. This was magic spot and to be honest it would make a sensational spot to camp, however Jo and I were satisfied with an extended lunch break today. Laying on the grass here, looking up at the blue sky and the pines, whilst enjoying some luke warm water ... yes, does it get any better?

I'm wondering if these are a species of wattle?

The SRW climbing another dune.

With lunch finished it was time to shoulder our packs again and finish off the last section back down to Lake Becking. A few minutes after resuming walking we met our outward track and started the long walk back down the fence line that we'd followed north on day 1. With about 8.5 kilometres to go this promised to be a fairly average finish to the walk, however the fact that the leg was broken up by a quick stop at the Saltbush Flat Tank and some great conversation meant that the two hours seemed to pass by without much pain at all. 

The roos use the hollowed out centres of the spinifex for shelter.

When we arrived at a large area of native pines it meant two things - lunch was imminent and we were also about to re-join our outward route.

Lunch

This would make for a sensational bush camp. 

It was around 4pm when we emerged from the Mallee Trees onto the shore of Lake Becking this afternoon which wasn't to bad for an old bloke I thought - we'd walked over 20 kilometres in sand and spent quite a bit of time relaxing under the Callitris Pines. With Jo planning on staying at Lake Becking for another night I had a bit of a wash and a drink before once again we said our goodbyes and returned to our normal lives - falling out of the ute back at Chateau Feral just before midnight after a fairly solid day!

Back following the old fence line - this time we were heading south. 

After around 59 kilometres Lake Becking has just come back into view.

The Dirt.

We walked about 21.5 kilometres and climbed around 300 metres on what I'd call a medium grade walk. After leaving camp today there was no water until we arrived at the Saltbush Flat Tank almost 18 kilometres in. The walking today was pretty good (even very good through the native pines) until we hit the fence line - the walk south along the fence was ok but nothing to rave about. We used John & Lyn Daly's notes out of their old book Take A Walk in Victoria's National Parks as well as our Alltrails App and GPS topos today, we were also carrying Meridian's Victoria's Deserts map.

Over the 3 days we were on this walk we covered about 60 kilometres and climbed just over a 1000 metres on what I'd class as a medium grade overnight walk. The thing up here is that while there aren't any big hills there are quite often reasonable sized sand hills to negotiate, and climbing these on the sand when they have been chewed up by motorbikes can be a bit painful. In my opinion days 2 and 3 were the pick of this stroll as the country seemed a lot more diverse. Before anyone hands off on this stroll they should get in contact with the local ranger to find out the situation with the water tanks as there is normally next to no chance of finding any surface water around. One other thing to consider is that this is a very arid area so the best walking is in our winter, avoid this place in the hotter weather as the walking could be very unpleasant and maybe even dangerous.

Relevant Posts.

Day 1 of this walk, 2022.

Day 2 of this walk, 2022.

Lake Becking

The finish photo...hey, we're still smiling!