A rescheduled extended family trip to Hooker Hut came around last week. The first attempt, that I’d have missed, was thwarted by storm closures of the access track, and Adele did well to make bookings the hut that is very popular with families – due to the easy, short walk in and the spectacular setting. The forecast looked like it would be dry, but getting cold overnight – so we were all go this time.
It’s a long while since I’ve been to Mt Cook Village – the day walk into Hooker Lake certainly is well trodden, as the overflowing carpark showed. We saw scores, if not hundreds, of day-walkers as our varied-pace group headed up the the valley. Plenty of things to keep the boys (two nephews and one of their cousins – he heading for his first hut stay) interested and walking along – bridges a highlight, as was just about anything really.
Mt Cook watching over us.
Mt Sefton.
Rabi along for the walk. Too cute.
Three kilometres in and reaching the subtly marked turn-off from the highway track to the well-hidden hut.
A more engaging track beside a creek was well worth it to escape the crowds for the last kilometre. I could see on the topo map we were close to the hut, but it was a rather looping path that took us up and around to it.
Finally into view. I say finally, but it wasn’t even two hours of walking at little-leg pace.
Hooker Hut is now in its fifth location since 1910, after originally being far more alpine and next to Hooker Glacier. Various snow, avalanche, weather conditions – both long and short term – caused its many moves and now it’s in this very accessible spot with a brilliant aspect. Bunks claimed, snacks opened, there was time for much exploring of the rocks and tussocks surrounding the hut – the boys loved it and had an absolute ball. As did the adults, but with a lot less running around.
Sitting at the table looking out the front door.
A glimpse of Hooker Lake.
With an excellent rendang that James had prepared the night before and other refreshments, hut life was very good. It never got as cold as expected; even with the fireplace out of action the hut was very warm overnight. Bit windier in the morning, but the clouds that were pummelling the West Coast never made it over the range to us. We walked out in sun, but my the wind was strong on the swing bridges – thankfully behind us and not in our faces as for the morning crowds walking up to the lake. Easy to appreciate why the track gets closed.
Departure.
Much fun!
Leaving Oturehua, looking back to Hawkdun Range.
Thankfully the trail remained frozen and solid longer than the cross roads. Old Man Range in distance.
Bumping over the Poolburn Viaduct.
Out of the second Poolburn tunnel – the curved one that you almost need a light for.
Over the Manuherikia Valley to the St Bathans and Hawkdun Ranges.
Dunstan Range, Dunstan Peak and St Bathans Range.
Crossing the Manuherikia, more of the Dunstan Range.
Trail thawing and getting slower, close to lunch.
Returning, strangely enough – more of the same mountains.
Ida Range back into view.
Looking south once out of the short bush ascent.
With some of the party not starting as early as the families and others, we had plenty of time to stop for a long lunch in the sun. The return trip would have us up there, and coming down that face on the right.
The two youngest of the six children were determined to reach the hut first, so that kept them motivated!
Looking up the West Stour to the Arrowsmith Range.
More of the return trip – up from the left across to the Bus Stop and exit stage-right.
More time to stop and admire the views west.
North to the Winterslow Range.
Wasn’t long before we were looking down to Woolshed Creek and its hut.
It’s emeraldish.
Plenty of ice around.
Certainly enough to throw onto the opposite bank.
First, trip trapping over Woolshed Creek.
Out of the bush again and looking southwest.
Snaking our way up, hut down yonder.
At the so-called Bus Stop, our lunch spot found just beyond.
Hooge and Orlaith setting off besides Nobbler Stream, Mt Nobbler ahead.
The Rock and Pillar Range looking quite small and flat from across the Maniototo.
Nobbler again, from the northwest.
Past the turn-off to the comms tower, the track switched to the sunny side of the ridge – and got steeper.
At another intersection, we cut east – the track visible more directly going to Kye Burn. 
Past Tania to Naseby Forest, Ida Range on right. Good fun trying to spy various mountains on the horizon.
Bit of snow remaining on the top of the Rock and Pillars.
Fairly typical surface; higher up it got a bit muddy as things thawed, thankfully not too sticky. Ida Range and Mt Kyeburn.
Around 1300 m, we got into the ups and downs of ridge riding. Fun descents (pleased to have big tyres, suspension and a dropper) and pushes up the other side.
Thanks Orlaith for the photo.
Waiting for the descent.
Not a bad spot for lunch, another of Orlaith’s pics.
Yup, definite track going up Nobbler.
As always, looking at other possible routes. Down Maerewhenua Spur looks like fun! Pacific on the horizon, what a day.
Big, open, forgiving descents began in small doses – yay for having hauled that bike up.
A few patches of snow in the shade, the last of the ridge riding – we began the descent just before that tower, diving off to the left.
Not a view of Danseys Pass I’m used to.