Navigation Point 12. Base of the Red Bluffs
Navigation Point 12 sits at the base of the red bluffs, below the Intermediate Ridge. On the map, this is where the route reaches the base of the red bluffs and then splits into two possible directions.
Before reaching Navigation Point 12, you will have descended, for approximately 40 metres, from the Intermediate Ridge at the waypoint marked “Descent to Red Bluffs”. This waypoint comes after Navigation Point 11, Steep Rock Climb. Use the map to understand this sequence clearly. Navigation Point 11 marks the steep rock climb area, Descent to Red Bluffs marks the point where you leave the Intermediate Ridge and descend, and Navigation Point 12 marks the base of the red bluffs where the route choice is made.
When you reach the base of the red bluffs at Navigation Point 12, use the map to confirm your direction before continuing.
If you are continuing the main Stirling Ridge Walk towards Sheoak Col and Navigation Point 13, turn left and continue west beneath the red bluffs. Keep the red bluff line on your left and follow the route for approximately 40 metres, as it descends gradually towards Navigation Point 13.
If your intention is to leave the ridge using the North Mirlpunda Track exit option, turn right and move east towards the orange rock face area, for approximately 15 metres. This is the exit line shown on the map, not the continuing ridge walk line towards Sheoak Col.
The route from Navigation Point 12 to Navigation Point 13 loses height, but it should feel like a descending traverse below the cliff line rather than a direct descent away from the ridge. The slope falls away on your right, but compared with the Arrows, this section is less exposed and less technical. The main issue here is choosing the correct line for your objective.
The map shows the choice clearly. West continues the Stirling Ridge Walk beneath the red bluffs towards Navigation Point 13 and Sheoak Col. East takes you to the North Mirlpunda Track exit option. This is why Navigation Point 12 matters. It is not just a location marker. It is a route selection point.
The journey isn't about reaching every peak. It's about understanding the landscape between them.
The journey isn't about reaching every peak. It's about understanding the landscape between them
Looking NW from Nav Point 11
Looking west from Navigation Point 11, this photograph shows the route back towards the steep climb leading to the High Traverse, Navigation Point 9 and First Arrow Cave. The High Traverse follows the northern side of the Northwest Pinnacle before continuing towards First Arrow. The Northwest Pinnacle forms a prominent navigation landmark throughout this section of the route. In the distance, Isongerup Peak can be seen beyond the ridge, providing an additional point of reference. The High Traverse can be used in either direction between Navigation Point 9 and Navigation Point 11. However, walkers who have approached from Navigation Point 10 and are continuing towards Sheoak Col will have bypassed the High Traverse and should remain on the main ridge route.
“The journey isn't about reaching every peak. It's about understanding the landscape between them”
Looking NNE to Nav Point 12
Looking west from Navigation Point 11, this photograph shows the route back towards the steep climb leading to the High Traverse, Navigation Point 9 and First Arrow Cave. The High Traverse follows the northern side of the Northwest Pinnacle before continuing towards First Arrow. The Northwest Pinnacle forms a prominent navigation landmark throughout this section of the route. In the distance, Isongerup Peak can be seen beyond the ridge, providing an additional point of reference. The High Traverse can be used in either direction between Navigation Point 9 and Navigation Point 11. However, walkers who have approached from Navigation Point 10 and are continuing towards Sheoak Col will have bypassed the High Traverse and should remain on the main ridge route.
Looking NW from Nav Point 11
Looking west from Navigation Point 11, this photograph shows the route back towards the steep climb leading to the High Traverse, Navigation Point 9 and First Arrow Cave. The High Traverse follows the northern side of the Northwest Pinnacle before continuing towards First Arrow. The Northwest Pinnacle forms a prominent navigation landmark throughout this section of the route. In the distance, Isongerup Peak can be seen beyond the ridge, providing an additional point of reference. The High Traverse can be used in either direction between Navigation Point 9 and Navigation Point 11. However, walkers who have approached from Navigation Point 10 and are continuing towards Sheoak Col will have bypassed the High Traverse and should remain on the main ridge route.
Looking NE to Nav Point 12
Looking west from Navigation Point 11, this photograph shows the route back towards the steep climb leading to the High Traverse, Navigation Point 9 and First Arrow Cave. The High Traverse follows the northern side of the Northwest Pinnacle before continuing towards First Arrow. The Northwest Pinnacle forms a prominent navigation landmark throughout this section of the route. In the distance, Isongerup Peak can be seen beyond the ridge, providing an additional point of reference. The High Traverse can be used in either direction between Navigation Point 9 and Navigation Point 11. However, walkers who have approached from Navigation Point 10 and are continuing towards Sheoak Col will have bypassed the High Traverse and should remain on the main ridge route.
Looking NW from Nav Point 11
Looking west from Navigation Point 11, this photograph shows the route back towards the steep climb leading to the High Traverse, Navigation Point 9 and First Arrow Cave. The High Traverse follows the northern side of the Northwest Pinnacle before continuing towards First Arrow. The Northwest Pinnacle forms a prominent navigation landmark throughout this section of the route. In the distance, Isongerup Peak can be seen beyond the ridge, providing an additional point of reference. The High Traverse can be used in either direction between Navigation Point 9 and Navigation Point 11. However, walkers who have approached from Navigation Point 10 and are continuing towards Sheoak Col will have bypassed the High Traverse and should remain on the main ridge route.
If travelling east from Sheoak Col to Navigation Point 12
If you are travelling east from Sheoak Col, Navigation Point 12 is easy to miss because it is a sharp right turn up through a steep gully. This is a point where you should have the map in front of you and check the relationship between Navigation Point 13, Navigation Point 12, the red bluff area, and the line that climbs south south east towards the Intermediate Ridge.
From Navigation Point 13, the map shows the route ascending towards Navigation Point 12. As you climb, the ground gradually steepens. Navigation Point 12 sits at the high point of this ascent before the route changes direction. It can be easy to miss because the correct route does not feel like a normal track junction.
At Navigation Point 12, the map shows the main Stirling Ridge Walk turning sharply right and climbing south south east towards the cliff line and the Intermediate Ridge. On the ground, this presents more like a steep rock step than an obvious walking track. You will need to use your hands in places.
Do not continue ahead into the easier looking ground below the red Bluff area unless your intention is to leave the main Stirling Ridge Walk line and exit towards the North Mirlpunda Track. The map shows this as a different line from the main route.
A useful way to read this section on the map is this. From Navigation Point 13 to Navigation Point 12, you should be ascending to the turn. You should not be descending into the flatter area near the red bluff. If you find yourself dropping down into that area, where the Orange rockface is, you have missed the correct turn.
At the high point of the ascent, use the map to confirm your position, then take the right turn south east towards the Intermediate Ridge. Do not continue down to the Orange rockface area unless your intention is to exit via the North Mirlpunda Track.
Looking south east to Nav Point 11
The photograph looking is taken just west of Navigation Point 12, looking south east, shows the steep gully and the red bluff beside the route. It also shows the line climbing towards Navigation Point 11, the descending westerly line towards Navigation Point 13 and Sheoak Col, and the easterly line towards the North Mirlpunda Track exit. This photograph is useful because it shows why the turn can be confusing on the ground.
Looking south to ascent to Nav Point 11
The photograph looking south from Navigation Point 12 shows the steep gully and the red bluff beside the route. It also shows the line climbing towards Navigation Point 11, the line back towards Navigation Point 13, and the lower line towards the North Mirlpunda Track. This photograph is useful because it shows why the turn can be confusing on the ground. Several possible lines appear to leave from the same area.
If you miss the turn at Navigation Point 12
If you are travelling from Sheoak Col and miss the right turn at Navigation Point 12, not all is lost. You may realise the mistake after dropping into the flatter Orange rockface area shown on the map and photographs.
If this happens, use the map to reorient yourself before moving on. The orange variation shown on the map provides a practical recovery line from this area. Follow the orange variation as it climbs away from the flatter ground beside the orange rock face. The variation then makes a very sharp turn back towards the west before gradually working its way back towards the ascent from main route near Navigation Point 11.
As you follow this variation, there is a very small cave beside the route near the sharp turn. This feature can be used together with the map to confirm that you are following the mapped recovery line rather than attempting to force a direct route back through the cliffs and scrub.
This variation is not part of the main Stirling Ridge Walk, but it provides a logical and relatively straightforward way to recover after missing the turn at Navigation Point 12. The key lesson is to recognise that the Orange rockface area lies beyond the correct turn. If you reach this flatter area, you have travelled too far and should either follow the mapped recovery variation back towards Navigation Point 11 or retrace your steps to Navigation Point 12 and take the correct climb towards the Intermediate Ridge.
Looking east to “Orange rockface”
Looking east from Navigation Point 12 at the base of the red bluff area, provides a broader overview of how the routes relate to each other. The photograph shows Navigation Point 12, the westerly line back towards Navigation Point 13, the north easterly line of the North Mirlpunda Track, the Orange rockface area, and the orange variation that climbs above the rock face before eventually returning westerly towards Navigation Point 11. When viewed alongside the map, this photograph makes it much easier to understand how the orange variation on map reconnects with the main route to the Intermediate Ridge.
Looking east to “Variation”
Looking east after the brief descent from Navigation Point 12, shows the area where many walkers realise they have missed the turn. The photograph shows the route back to Navigation Point 12 behind you, the north east line towards the North Mirlpunda Track, and the Orange rockface on the right. It also shows the start of the mapped variation climbing beside the rock face. If you find yourself in terrain matching this photograph, you have already descended beyond the correct turn at Navigation Point 12.
Video panorama at “Orange Rockface”
This video was recorded at Orange rockface area east of Navigation Point 12 at the base of the Red Bluffs.
The video begins by looking east, with the prominent Orange Rockface on the right, the variation to the east, before slowly panning north to reveal the North Mirlpunda Track descending north east towards the valley below.
Continuing west, the panorama shows the route climbing towards Navigation Point 12 .
Viewed together with the map, this panorama clearly illustrates the variation, the descent to the North Mirlpunda Track, and the track back to Navigation Point 12.
Orange Rockface, showing descent to North Mirlpunda Track and “Variation” shown on Map 5.
Exit option toward the North Mirlpunda Track (possibly Half-Ridge walk)
If your intention is to descend North Mirlpunda Track, the easiest access is just east of Navigation Point 12.
Before reaching Navigation Point 12, you will have descended from the Intermediate Ridge through the gully below the waypoint marked, “Descent to Red Bluffs”. When you arrive at the base of the red bluffs, you are at Navigation Point 12. This is the decision point.
From Navigation Point 12, do not continue left and west along the main Stirling Ridge Walk line toward Navigation Point 13 and Sheoak Col. Instead, take the right side option shown on the map and head east, descending slightly into a relatively flat area below the red bluffs.
This area is marked by a large Orange rockface with graffiti on it. Once you reach this Orange rockface area, you are no longer on the main line toward Sheoak Col. This is where you pick up the North Mirlpunda Track by heading down the hill in a north to north east direction.
You descend approximately 40 metres, keeping the rockface on your right. The track from the Orange rockface area meets the track coming in an easterly direction, across from Navigation Point 13. From that meeting point, you are on the main North Mirlpunda Track.
Key point
At Navigation Point 12, choose your line deliberately and check it against the map. West keeps you beneath the red bluffs and takes you toward Navigation Point 13 and Sheoak Col. East takes you to the Orange rockface area and then north east down to the North Mirlpunda Track.