East MacDonnell Ranges

is cattlewater pass closed permanently

Yes.
FWIW I was there last year. The road/track from Arltunga was good but a bit narrow in places and once you get into the Ruby Gap park there's a bit of rock crawling. With 21cm under the diff there were a couple of spots we dragged.

There are several spots you can camp, at and before you get to the last spot and recommended stop point before the last section into Glen Annie Gorge. Some folk had taken in offroad CTs.

We were there late May last year with a group of 7 camper trailers. Cattlewater Pass is closed but the gate at the top has been vandalised and some people have gone through. The track was an adventure in itself. We stayed at Old Ambalindum station, left the trailers there and drove up to the gate, had lunch and then returned. This track is totally unmaintained and provided some excelent 'adventure' driving.

Ruby Gap track was difficult at the main river crossing. Extremely soft, sandy crossing and a couple of rigs got bogged. If you follow the river bed it becomes even softer and again a couple of the rigs got bogged. You can by-pass the really soft area by sticking to the northern bank of the river after the initial crossing. The bank is rocky and rough but do-able. From there on, the track is still rough and rocky in places and a couple of the rigs got hung-up but got through with better wheel placement and some track maintenance. One vehicle staked a tyre on the way in. We camped right at the end of the track on the river bank. Tight for 7 rigs but a peacefull spot. In hind sight we should have stayed a couple of nights.

was cattlewater pass doable from plenty highway will be traveling solo.Keen to give it a go.

Thanks mate gives me some to call and find out before i leave