The mountain doesn't need to be clear for your direction to be
Navigation Point 5, Base of Pyungoorup Pinnacle
Navigation Point 5 is located at the base of Pyungoorup Pinnacle and is shown on the map and in the accompanying photographs. This is one of the more important route confirmation points on the traverse because the ground naturally begins to draw walkers towards the chasm between Pyungoorup Peak and Pyungoorup Pinnacle.
The map shows Navigation Point 5 positioned on the southern side of Pyungoorup Pinnacle. The correct route does not continue into the gap between the pinnacle and Pyungoorup Peak. Instead, at Navigation Point 5, turn left and move west so that base of Pyungoorup Pinnacle remains on your right as you continue towards Baker’s Knob. This westward turn takes you around the southern base of the pinnacle and keeps you on the main Stirling Ridge Walk route.
For many years this turn was less obvious because trees were still growing across parts of the track, forcing walkers to crawl under or over them. Those trees have now broken away, making the westward route around the southern side of the pinnacle considerably clearer than it once was.
If you inadvertently climb too high, you may find yourself in the ground between Pyungoorup Pinnacle and the western face of Pyungoorup Peak. From there it is possible to continue north and eventually swing west around the northern side of the pinnacle until you reconnect with the main track. However, this is not the preferred route and will add both time and unnecessary effort. In most cases, it is better to reverse direction and return to Navigation Point 5 before continuing on the correct line.
The map also helps explain what happens once the correct turn has been made. As you continue west, the contour lines begin to open slightly and bend into a shallow low point. This marks the approach to the saddle between Pyungoorup Peak and Baker’s Knob. Behind you, the contour lines are tightly packed, reflecting the steep southern traverse of Pyungoorup Peak. Ahead, the terrain becomes broader and less confined as you approach Baker’s Knob Campsite.
This location also highlights one of the limitations of contour mapping. While the map accurately represents the overall shape of the terrain, it does not fully convey the dramatic appearance of Pyungoorup Pinnacle or every small rock feature, gully and break in the cliff system. The map provides the broad terrain picture, while the photographs help bridge the gap between the contour lines and what you will actually see on the ground.
For walkers travelling eastbound from Baker’s Knob towards Pyungoorup Peak, the navigation through this area is generally more straightforward. The natural line of travel tends to lead around the southern side of Pyungoorup Pinnacle rather than drawing you into the chasm. Even so, Navigation Point 5 remains an important confirmation point because it marks the transition between the Baker’s Knob saddle and the steeper southern traverse around Pyungoorup Peak.
Used together, the map and photographs clearly show the intended route. If you are standing at Navigation Point 5 and heading towards Baker’s Knob, Pyungoorup Pinnacle should remain on your right as you traverse around its southern base. If you find yourself climbing up into the gap between the pinnacle and Pyungoorup Peak, you have likely drifted off the preferred route and should reassess your position.
Looking NW to Navigation Point 5
You are now at the end of the traverse across the southern base of Pyungoorup Peak. Compare the photograph with your map and identify the route as it skirts around the southern side of the peak . As you continue, the western face of Pyungoorup Peak will remain on your right, providing a clear visual reference as you ascend the track. As you climb higher you will see the turn left that takes you in a westerly direction at the southern base of Pyungoorup Pinnacle. Do not ascend through the chasm.
On the map, the slight turn to the north immediately before reaching Navigation Point 5 is partially obscured by the Navigation Point 5 symbol. As you continue, the track curves gently around the southern side of Pyungoorup Peak before beginning the ascent towards the narrow chasm that separates Pyungoorup Peak from Pyungoorup Pinnacle.
The photograph provides a clear perspective of the terrain ahead and complements the information shown on the map, helping you visualise the route before continuing.
Take a moment to confirm the direction of travel before continuing towards the base of Pyungoorup Pinnacle.
Looking southeast to the southern traverse of Pyungoorup Peak
This photograph is taken from Navigation Point 5, looking southeast towards the point where the southern traverse of Pyungoorup Peak finishes if you have come from Ellen Peak.
The rock face on the left is the western face of Pyungoorup Peak. The walkers shown in the photograph have approached from the Ellen Peak side, completed the southern traverse of Pyungoorup Peak and are now continuing west towards Baker's Knob.
This photograph is looking back towards the location from which the previous photograph was taken and helps confirm the relationship between Navigation Point 5, the western face of Pyungoorup Peak and the direction of travel along this section of the Stirling Ridge Walk.2
Looking north towards the Pyungoorup Gully
This photograph is taken from Navigation Point 5, looking north towards the narrow chasm that separates Pyungoorup Pinnacle from the main body of Pyungoorup Peak.
Although the gully ahead may appear to provide a natural line of travel, this is not the correct route. Do not ascend into the chasm. Instead, from Navigation Point 5, turn left and continue west around the southern base of Pyungoorup Pinnacle, following the route shown on your map towards Baker's Knob and Third Arrow.
The walkers shown in the photograph have entered the gully and are returning after discovering it is not the correct route. Comparing the photograph with your map will help you recognise this area and avoid following the obvious but incorrect line of travel.
If you are walking in the opposite direction from Baker's Knob towards Ellen Peak, the route naturally leads you around the southern face of Pyungoorup Pinnacle. On arriving at Navigation Point 5, it feels more natural to descend towards the start of the southern traverse leading to Pyungoorup Cave, rather than ascending the gully between Pyungoorup Pinnacle and Pyungoorup Peak.
Looking west towards Baker's Knob
This photograph is taken from Navigation Point 5, looking west towards Baker's Knob. Compare the photograph with your map and identify Baker's Knob, which now becomes the next prominent landmark along your route.
From Navigation Point 5, the track descends briefly for approximately 50 metres before beginning the ascent towards the saddle between Baker's Knob and Pyungoorup Pinnacle. The route then continues over the saddle before ascending to Baker's Knob.
The walkers shown in the photograph are travelling west towards Baker's Knob, following the line of the track as it leaves Navigation Point 5. Compare the photograph with your map and note how the route ahead and the surrounding terrain correspond before continuing your journey.
Looking east towards the base of Pyungoorup Pinnacle and Navigation Point 5
This photograph is taken looking east towards Navigation Point 5 from the Baker's Knob side. Compare the photograph with your map and identify the location of Navigation Point 5 and the surrounding terrain.
The prominent granite walls of Pyungoorup Peak and Pyungoorup Pinnacle dominate this section of the walk, while the vegetation filled gully between them clearly marks the separation of these two features. Although the pinnacle is a prominent feature in the landscape, it is not represented as a distinct landform on the map.
The track approaching from Baker's Knob follows the southern face of Pyungoorup Pinnacle before arriving at Navigation Point 5. From this location, the route continues east around the southern face of Pyungoorup Peak towards Pyungoorup Cave.
Compare the photograph with your surroundings and your map before continuing. This perspective provides an excellent overview of the terrain surrounding Navigation Point 5 and the relationship between the two features.
Looking east towards the base of Pyungoorup Pinnacle
This photograph is taken from the saddle between Baker's Knob and Pyungoorup Pinnacle, looking east towards Navigation Point 5. From this location, you can appreciate the impressive scale of Pyungoorup Pinnacle and the route leading to its base.
Interestingly, from this viewpoint, Pyungoorup Peak is completely obscured behind Pyungoorup Pinnacle. Although Pyungoorup Peak is the much larger landform, the pinnacle entirely conceals it from view, demonstrating how dramatically your perspective can change as you move through the landscape.
The small rock shelter visible on the left provides a convenient place to seek temporary refuge should the weather deteriorate suddenly. While it is not a campsite, it can offer welcome protection from wind and driving rain. Beyond Navigation Point 5, the southern traverse of Pyungoorup Peak offers very little natural shelter until you reach Pyungoorup Cave.
Compare the photograph with your map and identify the route descending to Navigation Point 5 if continuing east around the southern face of Pyungoorup Peak towards Pyungoorup Cave and Ellen Peak.
Navigation Point 5: Looking east towards Pyungoorup Pinnacle
This photograph was taken from Baker's Knob, looking east towards Navigation Point 5. If you are travelling east towards Ellen Peak, this is the view that greets you as you approach the base of Pyungoorup Pinnacle. If you have travelled from the Ellen Peak direction, this photograph provides an excellent overview of the terrain you have already crossed.
From this vantage point, you can appreciate the full scale of Pyungoorup Peak and Pyungoorup Pinnacle, together with the surrounding terrain. The photograph clearly shows the southern traverse leading towards Pyungoorup Cave and Ellen Peak, the location of Navigation Point 5 at the base of Pyungoorup Pinnacle, the narrow gully separating Pyungoorup Peak from Pyungoorup Pinnacle, the small rock shelter, and the route between Navigation Point 5 and Baker's Knob.
Interestingly, from this viewpoint, Pyungoorup Peak and Pyungoorup Pinnacle appear as two distinct landforms, while the gully separating them can be clearly identified. Compare this broad perspective with your map and the previous photographs to develop a better understanding of how these prominent features relate to one another.
Compare the photograph with your map before continuing your journey.
Video: 360° panorama from Navigation Point 5
This 360° panorama is taken from Navigation Point 5 at the base of Pyungoorup Pinnacle. Together with the map, it provides an excellent overview of this important navigation point before continuing towards Baker's Knob.
The panorama begins by looking south-east towards the point where walkers arrive after traversing around the southern base of Pyungoorup Peak from Ellen Peak. It then pans west to Baker's Knob, where trekkers can be seen descending briefly before climbing to the Baker's Knob saddle and nearby campsite.
Continuing around, the panorama reveals the steep chasm separating Pyungoorup Pinnacle from Pyungoorup Peak. Although this gully may appear to provide a route, it is not the correct track. As you look into the chasm, the correct route is to turn left and continue west towards Baker's Knob, rather than attempting to climb or ascend through the gully.
The panorama continues to the south, where the expansive salt lakes can be seen in the distance, providing another useful landmark for orientation.
Viewed together with the map, this panorama clearly shows the relationship between the traverse from Ellen Peak, the route towards Baker's Knob, and the position of Pyungoorup Pinnacle. Most importantly, it demonstrates the correct direction of travel at Navigation Point 5, helping you avoid the steep chasm and continue safely towards Baker's Knob.
Nav Point 5: Base of Pyungoorup Pinnacle. View of exit point of traverse across southern face of Pyungoorup Peak, Pyungoorup Peak gully and Baker’s Knob.