Time: 2 hours (includes side trips and a swim). Car park to Lake Hill trig 20 minutes.
Distance: 5.6 km
Start: Lake Heron car park (1.7 km off Heron Hakatere Road)
Finish: Same place (it's more or less there and back)
Date: Friday 17th January 2025
My sister was in town this week and so, for today's Friday Walkies, I was looking for a classic North Canterbury outing. Something that involved driving through stunning scenery, a leisurely stroll around a lake and perhaps a swim, followed by snacks and caffeine at a remote cafe. Immediately, Lake Heron sprang to mind. Also known as
Ōtūroto, it lies at the heart of the
Hakatere Conservation Park.
The area is The Ashburton Lakes/
Ō Tū Wharekai - "Place of the Food House" - a reference to its former role as a
mahinga kai (key food gathering ecosystem) for local iwi,
Kāi Tahu, the
Tākata whenua o Hakatere. There are twelve lakes (according to
DOC), plus numerous swamps, fens, kettles, seepage wetlands and marshes. Delightful consequences of retreating glaciers.
And so, six intrepid chicks, squished into a Toyota Wish, found themselves cruising along Thompsons Track - destination Lake Heron. It's about a 2.5 hour drive from Crikers, so there were a couple of obligatory pee stops, and a diversion into the Mt Somers General Store (think high country honey, lambs wool blankets and a cheese scone).
Lowish morning cloud clad the Clent Hills but cleared as we drove on through the Asburton Gorge. At the Hakatere corner historic buildings we turned right onto Hakatere Heron Road. From here the landscape opened up dramatically and, so stunning it was, we all let out a collective "Wow!". Shortly before Lake Heron, a flock of sheep blocked the road. The farmer waved us on and then sent out a barking pooch to speed things up.
At the Lake Heron car park we all piled out of the TARDIS and soon set off on foot along the Lake Hill Track. Rather suprisingly, within 20 minutes or so we were standing at the top of Lake Hill beside the Trig. This was much quicker than expected because I had misinterpreted the DOC track time as 45 minutes one way. We lingered for awhile admiring the expansive views and chatting about the fungus pileus and its many variations.
We decided to return to the lake and continue eastwards towards Mount Sugarloaf (1238 m) and Harrisons Bight on the four wheel drive track. We got as far as Swin Stream before turning back. The Bight (and the mountain) will have to wait for another day.
Back at the lake shore we plonked ourselves down and three keen ones had a beautiful swim. The water was shallow, clear and warmish. I read later that the lake is 37 meters at its deepest point. I spied something shiny amongst the rocks - a submerged pair of fishing pliers which I extricated with glee.
Back in the car, we trundled towards Haketere Heron Road, but stopped just short of it at the Kettle Hole Walk. It was only 5-10 minutes past the turn stile to the kettle hole, a circular depression caused by a block of ice left behind as the glacier retreated. It was soooo pretty. The base of it was a carpet of tiny white flowers with a few gentians flowering at the edge. The circumference was a sea of purple and green grasses and the blue sky was awash with wispy clouds.
Then it was pedal to the metal and we got to The Staveley Store with just 10 mintues to spare. Luckily they were still selling takeaway coffees and cabinet food before they shut shop at 3pm. We sat outside on the picnic table eating walnut and mushroom rolls and getting a belated caffeine fix.
The drive back to Crikers went by in a flash. The caffeine had us all on high alert and we sang our hearts out to a bespoke Spotify jam:
Destination unknown, as we pull in for some gas
A freshly pasted poster reveals a smile from the past
Elephants and acrobats, lions, snakes, monkey
Pele speaks "Righteous", Sister Zina says "Funky:
How bizarre
