TeAraroa Trail, Roundhill to Mesopotamia
After meeting at 7am at Weston, exchanging vehicles and bags of spare clotes etc, thirteen keen trampers left heading North, our group of seven turning off at Pareora on route to Tekapo and the other party of six to Mesopotamia. We arrived at the Tekapo township in time for a coffe break and then travelled up the Roundhill skifield road to a locked gate and carpark. With sunscreen, packs and boots on we walked three kms up the gravel road to the marked turnoff onto a snowgrassed terrace overlooking Coal River. Before descending to cross at the junction of Camp Stream we sat amongst the tussocks in sunshine and ate our lunch. Matagouri flats were navigated upstream until another river crossing and a brief climb up a spur to arrive at the Camp Stream hut .With tents set up, we lounged in the afternoon sun and were soon joined by another couple from Christchurch who were walking part of the Te Araroa Trail in the opposite direction from us.
Friday promised more fine weather as we set off at 7.15am following a 4WD track, crossing Camp Stream and climbing up onto a ridge from which we had spectacular views of Lake Tekapo, Mt John, Rex Simpson Memorial Hut, Macaulay and Godley Valleys.Another couple sighted in the Camp Stream Valley, the official Te Araroa Trail route, unfortunately not enjoying the amazing vistas that we had on the ridge.The plant life was abundant,with many photos taken. The black daisy was found on the scree slopes as we traversed through a rocky basin towards Stag Saddle at 1925mtrs, the highest point in the Te Araroa trail. Over the saddle we stopped by a small stream to replenish our water supplies and have second lunch before descending through snowgrass and scree slopes to our second nights destination, Royal Hut, like Camp Stream, an old musters hut with plenty of character.The usual procedure took place, erecting tents, relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings while we waited for the other party to arrive from Crooked Spur Hut.
Stories and keys were exchanged before departing the following morning. Initially it started out as an easy tramp through snowgrass passing the track to Bullock Bow Saddle and then fording Bush Stream to sidle on the true left as it became gorgey.
While having morning tea outside Stone Hut,we observed the antics of three falcons, before they flew to the rocky crags above us.
A bridge took us across Bush Stream once again and upwards to the first saddle, passing delightful bog areas on the way. A lunch break was taken on the saddle where we could see the intended route infront of us, a descent into the valley, crossing Sweeps and Pack Horse streams and then a climb up a scree slope to the second saddle at 1500mtrs.From here we followed a beaten track through the snow grass to arrive at Crooked Spur Hut at 3pm.
We departed the following morning in poor visibility but after descending a steep winding track down a spur we left the cloud behind. After fording Bush Stream we climbed up the other side and sidled along a pathway until dropping down to the riverbed once again. Knee-deep crossings followed where necessary after walking down the riverbed flats and out to the awaiting cars left by the other party at the Mesopotamia carpark.
A short stop at Forest Creek Station to pick up Barbara, a bonus tour of the stunning gardens at Rata Peaks Station, lunch at Geraldine had us arriving back in Oamaru at 4pm.on Sunday.
Thanks to Browyn, Jim, Neville, Ross, Murray and Maurice for the great company.
Also thanks to Uwe, Sylvia, Jane, Graham, Brent and John for their company at Royal Hut and making the transport feasible for all of us.
Phyllis.
Mesopotamia to Roundhill photos
