Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Day 3: Waiaua Gorge Hut to Lake Dive Hut
7-8 HOURS, 10KM, 340M ASCENT
Follow
Brames Falls Track
into the Waiaua Gorge, via an aluminium ladder and a steep
track, then climb out again to the Taungatara Track junction, which you will reach about 45
minutes from the hut. There are two options from here, both of which take around seven
hours.
For the high track, continue up the Brames Falls Track, climbing steeply to the rock bluffs
of Bobs Ridge. Carefully follow the poled route through eroded rocky sections and across
tussock slopes before descending to the Lake Dive Track junction. Take the right fork for a
45-minute tramp down to Lake Dive Hut. The left fork leads directly to Dawson Falls (2½
hours). This high track can be impassable due to snow in wintery conditions.
For the low track, turn right and follow the
Taungatara Track
approximately 6km
through forest, until reaching the Auroa Track junction. Turn left and ascend the
Auroa
Track
to Lake Dive Hut. This track can be muddy and has many stream crossings.
Lake Dive Hut, built in 1980, is situated at the eastern end of the lake, and on a windless
day a reflection of Fanthams Peak graces the water in front of it. If you're contemplating a
swim after a hot day above the bushline, keep in mind that the water is very cold and the
bottom very muddy.
Day 4: Lake Dive Hut to Dawson Falls
3-4 HOURS, 7KM
Although it is possible to tramp all the way to North Egmont in one day, splitting the re-
maining distance into two days will allow sufficient time to take the rewarding side trip to
Fanthams Peak, which can be reached by taking the Upper Lake Dive Track, as opposed to
the Lower.
The high track offers excellent views but is very exposed and requires mountaineering ex-
perience in winter conditions. It climbs steeply from the hut up
Upper Lake Dive Track
to
the junction with the Brames Falls Track. Turn right to continue along the Upper Lake Dive
Track, heading across tussock slopes to the Fanthams Peak Track junction. Turn right to
descend to Dawson Falls, or left for the side trip to Fanthams Peak and Syme Hut.
The low-level option follows
Lower Lake Dive Track
, undulating through forest and
crossing many unbridged streams and dipping into gorges on its way to Dawson Falls.
When the track eventually reaches the junction with the Fanthams Peak Track, turn right
