Generally avoiding the Queenstown area means it has taken a few years to get around to riding the Coronet Loop. It sounded a good fifty-odd kilometre ride through otherwise deserted country, yet still close to the tourist mecca, so when the local MTB group planned a trip I finally went to ride it. Unfortunately parts of the loop were closed due to damage from a lot of recent rain (Central Otago is unusually green however as a result though), so we rerouted early on through Millbrook golf resort – always strange to ride MTBs through there.
With the big climb first up on a still morning and the sun beating down, I was soon on struggle street. Well below past bike-condition, it was looking a long hard day ahead. At least with all that rain, all the creeks were running and there was so much drinking water all day – a nice way to cool down, and no need to carry much liquid mass. There was some relief as the gradient eased and the air cooled as we neared our highest point of the day.
Over to the Remarkables.
This saddle being the highest we’d get.
Contemplating the fun down Long Gully.
The descent, paralleling the infamous Skippers Road, was good intermediate grade MTBing – I remember one decent rock drop I didn’t ride as I approached it too slowly and thought better of the risk of injury and ruining the day.
Back up the descent from the saddle.
Somewhere in here there were a couple of slips that we had to carry over, no big problem, before a switchbacked section that started out strangely steep but mellowed as we closed in on Green Gate Saddle.
Some of the switchbacks, and across to Skippers Road.
A bit of a clamber above the saddle to see if I could see more of our surrounds.
I could – the downhill to Green Gate Hut, and lunch.
Off we go… Well, the last three of the sixteen in front.
Down to lunch.
With such a large group, stops were, thankfully, plentiful and long – certainly helped get through the day.
A short climb and descent followed lunch to drop us to cross Deep Creek and follow it up for a while. We seemed to get a light tailwind to help us up. As we climbed above the creek for a while, one could feel how it would bake in here on a still summer’s day. We were very fortunate with the weather, couldn’t have asked for better.
Well above the creek now.
Thankfully not unpleasantly hot.
View stop at a spot labelled Easter Island – I missed snapping a photo of the rock that must have inspired the name.
It seems we somewhat took over the trail. With the part closures, we pretty much had it to ourselves – seeing one other rider all day, and he went past in the opposite direction as we lunched.
We rejoined Deep Creek for its first few kilometres, eventually climbing to the watershed and dropping quickly to Coronet Creek. From there we mostly descended for the almost-twenty kilometres to Arrowtown, much fun.
Not a hut to stay in, except in the most dire of circumstances. Something was definitely dead inside.
We joined the Macetown Road for the last ten kilometres along the Arrow River to finish in Arrowtown. Early on I rounded a corner to see a spectacular, but ultimately inconsequential, fall down a large bank. The last downhill into town was fast and fun. I’d no memory of ever having been up here before, but seems I rode to Macetown ten years ago! This wee blog does at least serve some of its original purpose of reminding me of various rides. Here’s hoping I don’t forget this great day out in a hurry.
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.
Finally into view. I say finally, but it wasn’t even two hours of walking at little-leg pace.
Sitting at the table looking out the front door.
A glimpse of Hooker Lake.
Departure.
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.
