15 November
A group of 6 drove up the Taihape Road and along the newly reopened Kuripapango Road (you can no longer go along Castle Rocks Road) to Lakes Road to visit the Kuripapango Lakes. After Peter led us off on a false start towards Kiwi Saddle Hut, we backtracked and took the side track right near the information sign that takes one along to the Lakes. The lakes are currently very clear and still relatively high so walking along the lake edge was not going to be easy. We stopped at the first lake for a short break before making our way through manuka to the second lake where we had an early lunch.
After lunch we “walked on water” through the marsh to make our way around most of the second lake. Some of us retained dry socks but not all. While the level was high the manuka showed us just how high it had been as there was a definite high tide line showing on the bushes. When we were back at the southern end of the lake, about 120 metres ESE from where we had started an extra wet area foiled the complete circuit so , we bashed ESE through scrubby bush for about 400 metres to Kuripapango Road (there were a few complains about this section). We then followed the road back to the car park finding a few early flowering sun orchids on the way.
Party: Peter B, Glenda H, Susan L, Lindsay & Denise D, Steve B