Lake Waikaremoana Tramp

Lake Waikaremoana Tramp - photos to come soon

Okay! A tramp is a trek and this was a good one. Lake Waikaremoana is located on the north island of New Zealand. The lake sits about 2 ½ hours NW of Napier on the east coast of the island. We opted to the trek in 4 days and 3 nights.
After celebrating our Thanksgiving at the Lake Waikaremoana Motor camp with roasted chicken and gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted cauliflower, cheese and mussels we began. We took the 8:15am water taxi to the trail head at Onepoto. The day was a warm 80* as we began our journey. Day one from this trail head is said to be the hardest day and we agree. A steep uphill began the trail and Jeff & I could definitely fell it as we had our large packs on. We had to carry all our food, water for the first night, clothes, sleeping bag. Jess and Tim carried their sleeping bag, clothes and water bottle. The trail followed the tops of the hills, offering gorgeous views for the entire 5 hours we hiked this first day. Our first night was spent in the Pukeheri Hut atop the hill. We had been told by many people if the wind was blowing, throw a stick over the hill and watch it come back. A boomerang! It was an amazing and fun. Imagine Tim….he had so much fun over and over again. The hut was fabulous with a large communal “kitchen”, dining area and two large bunk rooms. The “kitchen” was very serviceable with plenty of counter space; you bring your own camp stove and gas. We were surprised to find they had pumpable water, as we were told there was no water at this hut, so it was an added bonus as we were able to filter it for day 2. The hut was fairly full this night and we met a lot of very nice people, some of which we will see for the rest of our days on the trail.
Day 2 was a planned short day with only a 3 hour hike down hill to the next hut. The Waiopoa Hut sits on the shore of Lake Waikaremoana, is larger than the first hut and has a wonderful wood stove. We awoke to a cloudy morning that had quite good cool breeze at times. We set off around 9am with the load shifted a bit; we added some of the food weight to the kid’s packs, as they did great on day 1. Down hill was hard on our knees and all of the roots created added obstacles. We arrive in time for lunch, tuna sandwiches. Shortly after lunch Jeff and Tim get a notion to swim! The lake is cold at 58* but they go anyway. A hut warmed by the woodstove awaited their return, along with some nice hot cocoa. We spend the afternoon relaxing and meeting new people staying in the hut tonight.
Day 3 is to be our long day and we set off on the trail by 7:30am. The day is already warm and we are about 5 hours from the next hut and lunch. Jess & Tim hike ahead of us, they are actually having fun! Jeff & I arrive at the hut by 1pm so we can all have lunch together. We take a bit longer as we stop to take photos and chat with other hikers taking the same trail but in the opposite direction. Then off again with only perhaps 2 more hours of hiking, but now it has gotten very warm. Perhaps hot even, as we do not know the temperature. We arrive by 4:30pm, grab bunks and jump into the freezing cold lake, but oh, is it ever refreshing! Our last hut of our trek is the newest, nicest and largest hut on the trail. Many people hike or boat to this hut as their only destination and have quite nice accommodation. The dorm hut sleeps around 40 people with everyone in one large room of bunks. Lots of snoring in this hut to lull you to sleep!?!
We awoke early once on day 4 as we arranges the water taxi for a 9:40am pick up. Whose idea was this? We have a 3 hour hike to the taxi. Well the hike was actually just over 2 hours at our pace and we made it with plenty of time.
We truly enjoyed our time on the hike, the landscape and views were gorgeous. The fellow trampers friendly and enthusiastic. We lucked out on the weather and didn’t have rain!
Our tramp of the Lake Waikaremoana trail was a complete success!
Karen