A small but keen group of 5 set off for this adventure after lunch on Friday. By the time we picked up Rob from Motueka, drove over the Takaka Hill and into the Cobb, it was about 4pm. We completed the easy walk up the 4WD track to Sylvester Hut on a chilly but calm afternoon in just under 2 hours, and spent a pleasant evening in the hut with 5 other occupants.
Saturday was a calm overcast day, very pleasant for tramping. There was no clag and the mountains were in full view.
Sunrise at Sylvester hut day 2
We made our way up the track to Lake Sylvester, then between Lakes Sylvester and Little Sylvester, past Iron Lake, and up to Iron Hill.
Crossing Iron Hill
Lake Lockett was visible in the distance, surrounded by a steep cirque of hills. We continued along the ridge, past point 1631 and up to a high point for lunch with a view. The sun even came out for the occasion.
Gina and Michele above Iron Hill
From there we descended to Diamond Lake. We didn’t come down the spur above Lake Lillie as originally intended, but instead attempted a shortcut a little to the left of this, towards the stream gully. This proved to be the most challenging part of the trip, bashing through tall tussock, flax and speargrass, taking care not to twist our ankles in hidden holes.
Bushbash down to Diamond
After an hour, and a few scratches, we arrived on the shore of the lake, and followed a relatively clear route around to the beach at the eastern end. Here we had a well-earned rest and swim for some of us.
Lake Diamond day 2
From there we followed a well-marked trapline across to Lake Lockett, which took about 45 minutes. It was still and beautiful, but the temperature had dropped significantly, and all thoughts of another swim were forgotten. Instead, we piled on the layers and enjoyed some relaxing time before dinner.
Siesta for Pete and Michele at Lockett day 2
Two others were also camped there, a bit further around the shore. Camping in this spot is aided by the welcome presence of a thunderbox.
Lockett camp thunderbox with privacy screen
It was lovely to see Tītitipounamu, Korimako, Tomtit and hear several Ruru, a credit to the trapping going on in the area. It was dark by 8pm, and everyone was in bed early.
We had a leisurely start the next morning, with it only getting light at about 7:30, and nobody keen to get up in the dark. When all the packing was done, Pete couldn’t find his headlamp anywhere, and we wondered if one of the cheeky wekas that were hanging around may have taken it. However, fortunately it turned up “hidden” in a pocket of his pack when we unpacked at home.
After much debating about the route to take out, we opted to go cross country over the tops back to the ridge above Lake Sylvester and out via the hut (as opposed to the trapline down to the quarry and the carpark). We followed a GPX route that Rob had sourced, which was not as clearly marked as we had expected, and more bush-bashing ensued. Fortunately, slightly easier going than the previous day though, and we managed to keep to the route pretty well. After bashing our way up to the Iron Lake outlet stream for lunch in another beautiful spot, we found a good cairned route to take us up to the ridge above Lake Sylvester. There were also cairns going back the other way, perhaps to Diamond Lake? A trip for another day.
After gaining the ridge above Lake Sylvester, we were rewarded with stunning 360 degree views, and spend a good long time enjoying the spot before making our way back to Sylvester hut for a brew, and then out via the 4WD track.
Looking back at lake Lockett day 3
Thanks Astrid for a thoroughly enjoyable trip, with some good adventuring, and also plenty of time to relax and enjoy.
We were: Astrid (leader), Rob, Gina, Peter and Michele (scribe).