Hidden Lake
18th November 2017
Two car loads of club members left 7am, meeting at Kurow at 8am for a brief stop before heading on to Omarama, turning up Broken Hut road for twenty minutes to the carpark at the start of the Oteake Conservation area. From here 4WD was needed for the 11km climb to the Omarama saddle at the head of the west branch of the Manuherikia river valley.
This section of the track was severely affected by the heavy rain in July having nearly continuous ruts up to 600mm deep which had to be negotiated by the vehicles, after an hour of slow careful driving the saddle was reached. A stop was had to enjoy the views over towards Lake Ohau and the McKenzie basin with Mt Cook behind.
The 2km track down into the head of the valley was easier going. We then turned right up a 4WD track for a few km’s, parking at a creek crossing. The party followed the creek until a suitable crossing was found, another 4WD track on this side of the creek made for easy going for the next 3km to a fork in the creek.
After a brief stop for a bite to eat we left the track following the right branch of the creek to an impressive rock cairn marking the route to the lake. The creek was followed through stunted alpine scrub then snow grass with several large rock fields to negotiate on the 5km climb to the lake. The lake was reached 2.5hr’s after leaving the vehicles, tucked in almost a crater with rugged vertical cliffs behind it made an impressive sight. The crystal clear green water looked inviting but a paddle in the icy water was enough to deter any thoughts of going for a swim.
Lunch was had for an hour beside the lake in brilliant sunshine where we enjoyed the views into central Otago down the west branch of the river as far as Little Mt Ida. A ridge above the creek on the true right was taken to return to the 4WD track which avoided several of the rocks and steep climbs next the creek.
Nearing the vehicles most of the party climbed a low saddle to visit Top Hut while the driver’s returned to the trucks, driving them to the hut. After a look at the tidy 8 bunk hut and a bite to eat we all returned to Omarama by the same route where we parted company and returned to Oamaru. Thanks for the company of those who came on the trip Bill, Maurice, Phyllis, Sylvia, Uwe, and Bronwyn.
Brent.
