Navigation Point 3. EP summit junction (route choice)
Navigation Point 3 is shown on the map and in the accompanying photograph. The photograph looks east towards Ellen Peak from the saddle area and shows the junction between the Ellen Peak summit option, the route back towards Ellen Peak campsite, and the continuing traverse towards Pyungoorup Peak.
For walkers coming from the Ellen Peak Trailhead, this point is reached after traversing around the northern side of Ellen Peak, and keeping Ellen Peak on your left, to the east. Navigation Point 3 is the main decision point for anyone who wants to visit the summit. If you are going to the summit, leave your packs at Navigation Point 3, climb to the top of Ellen Peak, then return by the same route to this junction.
If you are omitting the summit, turn right and descend west to the saddle. This sets you up for the next short climb towards the small hill east of Pyungoorup Peak, where Navigation Point 4, Yellow ground marker is located.
For walkers coming from the Bluff Knoll end, Navigation Point 3 works in reverse. By the time you reach this point, you have already passed Pyungoorup Peak and are approaching Ellen Peak from the west. This junction is where you decide whether to turn right and climb to the Ellen Peak summit, or take the left hand track in a northerly direction around the northern side of Ellen Peak towards Ellen Peak campsite and the North East Track or North Boundary Track/Fence.
Used together with the map and photograph, Navigation Point 3 acts as an important guardrail in both directions. It helps walkers recognise the split between the Ellen Peak summit option and the main traverse route around the northern side of the peak.
In the mountains, the next decision is often more important than the next step
In the mountains, the next decision is often more important than the next step
Looking east to Navigation Point 3
Navigation Point 3 is the junction where the routes to Ellen Peak summit and Pyungoorup Peak separate. This photograph is taken looking east towards Ellen Peak.
Walkers starting from the Ellen Peak trailhead approach this junction by traversing around the northern slopes of Ellen Peak before emerging through the little enchanted forest to arrive at Navigation Point 3.
From here you have two options.
To continue along the Stirling Ridge Walk towards Pyungoorup Peak and Pyungoorup Cave, turn right and follow the main ridge.
To visit the Ellen Peak summit, leave your backpacks at Navigation Point 3 and continue straight ahead, initially heading slightly south before climbing east to the summit. Once you've returned to Navigation Point 3, collect your packs and continue west along the ridge towards Pyungoorup Peak.
Navigation Point 3 (orientating the map)
Navigation Point 3 is surrounded by dense heath, with very limited views of the surrounding ridge. Unlike many other navigation points, there are few visual landmarks available to confirm your location.
This makes it an ideal place to orientate your map before continuing.
In this photograph, the map has been rotated until the north south grid lines printed on the map are parallel with the compass orienting lines, while the red magnetic needle points to magnetic north. This is not taking a bearing or determining a direction of travel. It is simply orientating the map so it matches the orientation of the terrain around you.
Once the map is orientated, the features on the map correspond to the features on the ground, making it much easier to understand your location and choose the correct route.
Navigation Point 3 is the junction where walkers either continue west towards Pyungoorup Peak and Pyungoorup Cave, or leave their backpacks before heading east to the Ellen Peak summit and then returning to this point.