Tama Lakes Solstice 2018

A day hike around the Upper and Lower Tama Lakes from the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge in Tongariro National Park

Seven bright eyed faces peered out of the windows at the brown rocks and patchy snow as the van drove down Bruce Road. A right turn before the Chateau and they arrived at their road end. The trampers leapt out of the van into the brilliant blue-skied day, raring to go. They set off at a brisk pace, warming up in the crisp air.

Ice covered streams on the way to Tama Lakes
Ice coated streams

The wide well-maintained track meandered along native tussock, unfortunately dotted with patches of purple and white flowered heather. Mt Ruapehu towered over the trampers on the right. After a while the flat track rose into several gentle inclines. A slight breeze chilled their cheeks.

Crossing slippery ice covered rocks on the way to Tama Lakes
Crossing slippery ice covered rocks

After about two hours walking they stopped and peered over a drop. A long way down below a blue lake glistened in the sun, with Mt Ruapehu rising above. First destination—they had arrived at the lower Tama Lake. Click, click—lots of good photo opportunities here.

The wind was pretty biting up here, so Tony their fearless leader suggested they climb down to the lake. It was a steep decent down shingley brown gravel, but was easier to walk down than it looked. Hooray, it was morning tea time!

They sat down on the sand and ate their snacks in the warm sun, well sheltered from the wind. ‘Ok’ said Tony, ‘we need to walk across the sand standing in each other’s footprints’. The reason for this was that the imprints can take a long time to disappear, so single file they went. When they reached the other side of the sand a steep ridge rose above. What goes down must go up—so up they went.

Frozen shallow pond above Upper Tama Lake
Frozen shallow pond above Upper Tama Lake

Again the climb was easier than it looked as the shingle was soft, and any icy bits had melted. Snowy Mount Ngauruhoe rose on the left, a breath taking sight. Click, click—out came the cameras again. At the top of the ridge they stopped and looked back at Mt Ruapehu. They climbed over the summit and a blue green lake glittered, with Mt Ngauruhoe above it. Lunch was sitting on the ridge overlooking the lake.

Then down they scampered to the lake. A few fingers were dipped in, brrr, it was freezing! No swimming today.

Upper Tama Lake Tongariro National Park
Upper Tama Lake Tongariro National Park
On the shore of Upper Tama Lake
Upper Tama Lake
Walking on the sandy beach of Upper Tama Lake
Upper Tama Lake
In the rock shelter above Upper Tama Lake
The ad hoc rock shelter

Back up the gravelly hill they climbed and onto the main track, well marked with orange poles. The sun was dropping and the air was feeling icy so the pace sped up. Past a gushing waterfall, and then there was the Chateau again. Out they came just before dark. After a good 8 hours and 20 km the hungry trampers were now looking forward to the solstice dinner.

The sun setting on the track back to the Chateau from Tama Lakes
Nearly home

For the whole solstice story go to Ruapehu Lodge Winter Solstice

For another Tama Lakes trip go to My first WTMC trip

Leave a comment