near Wanaka
|
Diamond Lake near Wanaka |
March 5, 2017
After incurring my first-ever experience at left-side
driving, from Queenstown, partner Dave and I check into our
hostel in the community of Wanaka. Then it is time for a
not-too-energetic afternoon walk somewhere.
After visiting the local Department of Conservation (DOC)
Headquarters for some ideas, we head westward for about forty
minutes to a minor trailhead.
Wanaka is on the shore of its namesake lake
Near the trailhead
Dave and I are headed for Diamond Lake and a viewpoint above it.
A twenty-minute climb on a wide trail gets us to the first destination:
Diamond Lake looks more like a pond
Fly on Foxglove
Here the trail starts uphill in earnest with hundreds of built-in steps.
The thighs and calves are burning already
Overlooking Diamond Lake
Another climb begets an overview of another big lake. Both Dave and I seem content to terminate our upward progress here.
Lake Hawea
Heading down is rather easier than going up. I find it interesting that all the steps are covered with chicken wire to increase foot traction in wet conditions. Because that is such a good idea, I am surprised not to have seen it previously anywhere.
No slipping here
Back at Diamond Lake
The home stretch
Finishing up in stile!
§: This was just what we needed — a wake-up call
for our legs. Many more miles of trail are available on this loop.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Solitude | |
