We got up fairly early, so we could do today's walk before it got too hot. We drove back out to Kings Canyon and started the rim walk. This involved walking up the edge of the canyon via many steep, rocky stairs. The path was well marked, but you did have to watch your footing. We stopped often to admire the views and catch our breath. Once at the top, we then took our time to explore the various rock formations and views. We found a path that led to a lookout, that many of those doing the walk would bypass, which was a shame for them, as the views were breathtaking and spectacular, as you looked across to the other side of the canyon, but also got very close to the edge. Matt reminisced about when he did the walk with good mates Rod and Gary, 30 years ago, except they may have done some things that young men who think they are invincible would do. We continued back on the path, and went down into the valley between some rock faces, and then into a section known as the Garden of Eden, where we found a rockpool and more amazing rock features. Again, worth the effort to see. Then it was back up to the top and along the other side of the canyon rim, and mate David got very close to the edge to spy the sheer face of the cliff that went straight down. We did observe the AED devices and first aid boxes dotted around the track, nice to know had we needed them.
Eventually the track slowly took us down the other side and back to the carpark. All in all, it took us over 4 1/4 hours, and the track wasn't easy in parts and slow and steady was the best way to go. With the add on sights, we walked over 7km, but it was a much harder walk than the Valley of the Winds, at Kata Tjuta. Again, I was proud of my achievement to accomplish this walk. We had fun together, being able to share the adventure with David and Brenda.
We returned to the campground for lunch and to rest and recover in the afternoon. We headed back over to the bar and enjoyed another beautiful sunset over the Kings Canyon and found some sisters that we had chatted with on the Valley of the Winds walk, and we had a lovely chat with them again, as the sun set and the stars started to come out and the almost full moon lit up the sky. You do start to see the same people along the way, and strike up conversations, with the buses often being the topic of discussion. Then it was dinner and a quiet night in to write this. We both wished our Mums a happy Mother's Day and I thoroughly enjoyed today's adventure as a way to celebrate mine. Though tomorrow I may feel my age after the effort of today.
