From the carpark we walk downhill towards a bridge. The sign gives information on distances, and names some enticing features.

The bridge and view beyond is a delight. The stream below splashes over the rocks in its descent.

Return distance : 5.7 km ; Time : 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts at the Wonderland Carpark, a short drive from Hall’s Gap. On the day of my walk, parking was easier earlier in the day. The walk is described being of medium to hard difficulty, and I have to say I think it was easier 30 years ago! You will need water, a sunhat, wet weather gear, and some good footwear.
The yellow dots on the map below show our route.
 

Beyond the bridge another sign gives us the option of climbing up through the Grand Canyon. Of course we want to do this!
The cliffs are spectacular from the beginning, even if the track is a little indistinct.

What an amzing place this is! The granite cliffs rise up around us. The track is made of large firm slabs.
There is water flowing below, but not much.

Giant stepping stones cross the stream, and then the flat rocks lead us onward, upward.
Not much chance of getting lost here!

We pass through this opening between two large leaning rocks, and up the metal stairway beyond, taking us out of the Grand Canyon.

The signage is very good, apart from telling us it is still a long way to the Pinnacle! The terrain is almost scaly here.
In fact, a nearby bluff is called Elephant’s Hide. The track is indicated by yellow triangles ....

As we climb, the landscape changes subtly with the vegetation becoming more sparse.
The sun was shining when I left, but now the clouds are gathering around the peaks. I am glad I brought my raincoat.

At this point there is a constructed metal walkway to protect the damp ground beneath. It makes a pleasant change!
To our right a rocky formation towers up above the wattle.

This sandy track with wide steps makes for easy hiking. To our right a low cavern appears – the Cool Chamber.
It would make a good shelter.

The scenery along this track is quite awe-inspiring. There is a pleasing contrast between the rugged rocks and the soft foliage.

Spring is a good time of year to walk the Grampians.
These purple bell flowers are easy to spot, but it was more difficult to find the Grampians Bladder-wort nestling in the moss.

The easy ascent continues ... easy, but still noticeably an ascent.
The steps to the right offer a longer alternative route to the Pinnacle. Why would you want to take a longer route?
I find the answer later! For now we continue with the short track.

The track comes to an unexpected waterfall and veers to the left.
This is probably rainwater runoff, but it makes me wonder whether there are any springs high in these ranges.

Time for some undulating cross-country hiking. Some walkers can be seen in the distance.
About here the cloud is forming light rain which makes the rock decidedly slippery, even with my walking boots.
Over the ridge we descend into another canyon: Silent Street.

But the reward is in sight! The Pinnacle Lookout.
And a view to the left down and across Hall’s Gap township.
I had promised to sing ‘Nearer my God to Thee’ at this point. I had too little breath to do this, but I certainly felt it!

The view is magnificent from up here: from Hall’s Gap to the left around to Lake Bellfield to the right.

A small summit selfie – just to prove I was there! We now have a choice of several different routes.
Right, and directly down to Hall’s Gap – a difficult hike, and not helpful to us.
Back: the ‘short’ route back to the Wonderland carpark. I am reluctant to do this because of the steep slippery terrain.
Left: the longer loop track to the Carpark off the track to the Sundial Carpark. We take this.

It is not so easy finding this track initially – we look for yellow triangles.
I get the feeling that heading in the wrong direction will probably lead to a long drop! Or the famous nerve test.
There are videos online of people walking out on this spur, and even jumping across from the end to the escarpment on the right.
None of these people is me ...

As we begin our descent from the Lookout, it looks as though the terrain is going to be much the same as on our ascent.
Similar towering parapets, with perhaps a little more vegetation.

But shortly the track flattens out and becomes sandy, and the walking is much easier.
We soon come to a sign directing us to the Wonderland Carpark (although I don’t think much of the 2.0 km ... .)
An easier climb to the Pinnacle would be from the Sundial Carpark, but I suspect the scenery would be less spectacular.

Much of the walk is now a pleasant bush walk along a path lined with wattle.

Evey now and then there is an obstacle to overcome with the occasional rocky outcrop, but nothing serious.

We are conscious of a steady and pleasing decline along this path.

There are different species of wattle lining the track.

Also other flowering shrubs.
Hurrah! At last we have returned to the T-junction with the main track.

Now we are back in familiar territory – and it is surprisingly easy going down!
Here is the Cool Chamber, and later the sign where the Grand Canyon loop joins the main track again.
We take the ‘other’ direct route to the Carpark.

Coming down the final stretches of ‘elephant hide’ terrain, it is a relief to see the car park come into view, and then the final bridge. As I reach the end of this trek, slowly dragging my feet, there is a disturbing incident. A family with three young children passes me on their way back from the Pinnacle, skipping and jumping. Sometimes life is just not fair!

In spite of the tiring effect of this trek, I am very pleased to have accomplished it again. It was much easier 30 years ago!
Also I think that it was a good idea traversing the loop track in this direction. A trek definitely worth doing!

Silent Street goes on ... and on ... and on. The ascent is unrelenting, unforgiving.
It is about here that my good humour starts to evaporate!

GRAMPIANS (VIC)
Pinnacle Walk