Potts Hut – Hakatere Conservation Park
12-14 January 2018
After two previous postponements, third time lucky was what we were hoping for, but days before departure a drought breaking rain hit the West Coast spilling large amounts of rain across The Divide to the East Coast rivers.
The trip was planned as a circuit returning via the Potts River and on an open tussock face to the car park.
With a fine overhead forecast we set off on Friday evening for Mount Somers and onto Woolshed Creek carpark to camp for the night.
On Saturday morning we were up early and drove to the Potts River carpark. Conditions were fine with low cloud overhead.
Our team of seven made their way up the true left of the river on part of the Te Araroa Trail before a gradual climb to the track leading to Mystery Lake where we had lunch. A short steep climb and a sidle then lead us to the junction of Boundary Creek and Dogs Range. Two of our party decided not to go onto Potts Hut but instead would take a look over at Boundary hut and return to camp beside Mystery Lake for the night while the other five attacked the long slog up onto the Dogs Range, described by one as undulating country.
With the clearing weather some great views were had of the Ashburton Lakes, Mesopotamia, and across to the Sinclair Range. Finally after a 1000metre climb from the car park we arrived at the high point only to be followed by a 600metre descent to an unnamed lake and then down further to Potts Hut completing a 9 hour day.
A brew, some food and a short siesta revived us at this very scenic spot. The Potts Hut was once a musterer’s place of abode, complete with dog kennels and a horse paddock.
The river was running very high and the prospects did not look good for the return leg on Sunday. After placing a marker at the river’s edge we all retired to bed hoping for a lower level in the morning.
With a 6am wake-up call a check of the river revealed only a small drop in the level but not enough to safely cross so we returned uphill and part way along the Dogs Range to a saddle where we descended down a face through tussocks and around to connect with the track leading to Mystery Lake, cutting off a considerable amount of time. This saw us back at the cars only an hour after our other two companions who had already returned from their shortened but enjoyable trip.
It was great to have one of our younger members, Forrester out on his first weekend tramp, a big introduction which he managed with honours.
Thanks to the team of Vicky, Mike, Bron, Robbie, Forrester and Phyllis for another enjoyable time in the hills.
Maurice
