Trip Reports
Sugar Loaf – Rockburn Waitangi Weekend
Wednesday, March 11th, 2026
Trip Report: Sugar Loaf – Rockburn – Lake Sylvan, Waitangi Weekend 2026
Waitangi Weekend offered our group three days to explore the magnificent Rockburn Valley at the head of Lake Wakatipu, so three members set off at 2pm on Thursday from Oamaru, arriving at Lake Sylvan DOC camping ground at 7.30pm. This campsite along the Routeburn River offers scenic, well-arranged, partially secluded sites with toilets and running water.
Next morning we drove to the Routeburn shelter (after Jenny had hidden her bike under piles of bracken for the return trip) and were ready to set off walking by 8am. 10 minutes along the Routeburn Track we followed a signpost pointing uphill to the Sugar Loaf Track; it was a steep and steady climb for 2.5 hours to the boggy Sugarloaf Saddle, from where we had superb views across to the Humboldt Mountains, Lake Wakatipu, the Dart River and the Mt Earnslaw massif. Then it was a steep scramble down to the Rockburn River, using rocks and branches for handholds, crossing creeks and waterfalls through the mossy beech forest. The track is well marked and clear of windfall. From Sugar Loaf it took us 4 hours to walk to the wide, open and sunny grasslands of Theatre Flat. Walking over the swing bridge across the Rockburn to Theatre Flat was interesting: I didn’t notice there were no wire netting sides until I was halfway across! With a strong Nor’west blowing, we found a sheltered spot to camp by a copse of beech, right by the river. The Rockburn is a beautiful fast flowing river with a clear green tinge, rushing over boulders and forming deep pools.
Our plan for the middle day, Saturday, was to climb up to Park Pass and back to camp, so we set off at 8.15am and were pleased to find the route well marked in the bush and over the grassy flats. After two hours walking with rain thickening and cloud lowering over Park Pass, we decided it best to return to camp for lunch. The walk out to Lake Sylvan was going to be a long 18km over roots and slippery rocks, so we decided to pack up our tents and head 4km down river to some grassy flats we had admired on the way in. By mid afternoon all three of us were snuggling into our sleeping bags and boiling up hot drinks to stave off the wet and cold.
After a night of heavy rain, we woke to see mist clearing from the mountains, so we shook the rain from our tents and were on the Rockburn track again by 7.30am, bypassed the Rockburn hut in bright sunshine, and stopped for lunch enroute to Lake Sylvan at 12 noon. The track remains rough around the Lake, but at the foot of the Lake we joined the gravelled highway back to the magnificent new bridge and carpark. Robbie found the leafy old track back to the river, so he and Jenny took this shortcut and crossed the Routeburn River opposite the carpark.
Back to the camping ground by 2.30pm, Jenny hopped on her bike, biked for about 30 minutes up to the car at the Routeburn shelter carpark, then picked up Di and Robbie back at camp. We were away home by 3.30pm.
Thanks to Robbie and Di for a fabulous exploration of the beautiful Rockburn Valley, in all weathers!
Jenny Kitchin
Twilight Hike – 10 February 2026
Tuesday, February 10th, 2026
This was the second twilight hike that we have held over the summer to promote the tramping club to the public. This hike started in the reserve at the end of Meon St and we had 8 members of the public and 7 tramping club members turn up.
The night was warm but overcast, with the odd spit of rain–but it wasn’t enough to damping the hike. We started off through the reserve and a walkway to Fernbrook Rd and around to the bottom of Buckley’s Hill. It was then up the hill on a well-maintained mowed track with great views over town the higher up you got.
At the top of the hill, it was then a bit of road walking around onto Reservoir Road with great views of the Kakanui Mountains and along to the Reservoir Mountain bike tracks. We spent about ¾ of an hour exploring the many tracks in the pine trees before retracing our steps back down Buckley’s Hill and back to the reserve at Meon St.
The walk was just over 2 hours and about 6km. Thanks to everyone that turned up to enjoy the night out, and it was good to meet some new people.
–Neville
Little Kyeburn and Buster Diggings
Sunday, February 1st, 2026
Plan B of the Nobbler – Mt Alexander due to the gale force winds forecast. Instead of cancelling the trip two full cars of us travelled up the Danesys Pass and found it was indeed blowing a gale at the top of the pass so alternate arrangements were made. John recommended Little Kyebrun being relatively sheltered, and we drove down another hour to the end of the road at Little Kyeburn carpark area.
Cass Saddle & Lagoon Saddle 12th – 14th December 2025
Saturday, January 10th, 2026
Trip Report: Cass Saddle & Lagoon Saddle 12th – 14th December 2025
This is a deservedly popular tramp, easily accessible from SH 73, with options for an easy three-day hike staying at Cass Saddle and West Harper huts, or a two-day trip staying at Hamilton Hut. It takes 12-16 hours in total.
We were fortunate to have six trampers and two cars on this long-awaited club trip. Having two cars meant one car was parked at the Cass car park (now well off the road, through a gate by the DOC sign on SH 73, and around the corner) and the other car was parked up the Cora Lyn road near the Bealey Hut.
For those starting at the Bealey Hut end, Julian noted that you could stay Friday night at the Bealey Hut for an early start to Lagoon Saddle on Saturday.
Next morning, leaving the hut at 8am, we were soon out into open tussock (poled route), climbing gently to Cass Saddle (1326m). From here the track descended steeply into Hamilton Creek bush, then on to the tussock flats leading to Hamilton Hut (3.5hrs) We decided to spend the night at the spacious Hamilton Hut (20 bunks), giving ourselves a good rest that afternoon, as we were not sure about the state of West Harper Hut further on. It also meant we would be joined by Julian and Lynette that evening, when they arrived in from Bealey Hut. They enjoyed their trip down the Harper River, stopping for picnics in the shade by the river. Hamilton Hut was busy with Te Araroa walkers, weekend trampers from Christchurch, as well as fishermen and 4WD drivers dropping in from the lower Harper River. Robbie, Julian and Lynette had plenty of tent sites to choose from, with a watchful, knowing kea for company.
Aware we had a big day ahead on Sunday, we were up at 5.30am and away by 6.15, with Julian and Lynette heading up to Cass Saddle, and our group crossing swing bridges on the way up the Harper. We were curious to check out historic West Harper Hut (2 hrs) and found sacking bunks had been covered with tight fitting plastic, so were comfortable enough. The hut is full of character, and I’d recommend it for an overnight stay. Then on up the beautiful Harper River to Lagoon Saddle Shelter for lunch at 12 noon. From here it was a short sidle above Lagoon Saddle, where the view opened dramatically, giving us magnificent views of Arthur’s Pass peaks and the Waimakariri.
Then it was all down-hill, on a rather boggy track around Mt Bruce until we reached a beech/pine forest where we zigzagged down, reaching Bealey Hut by 2.30pm to find Robbie waiting for us. It had been a long 8 hour day for the ladies (Robbie, Julian and Lynette were much quicker!), but Robbie had already swapped cars with Julian, so we could head straight home.
Thanks to a great, fun team; always ready for a challenge and eager to explore new territory.
Jenny Kitchin
Ahuriri-Dingleburn
Friday, December 12th, 2025
