Studying maps of the area, we identified a number of saddles and ridges which looked easily accessible and planned a rough route traversing these valleys. For added interest we could see there was plenty of small mountain lakes and tarns in the area, good for a refreshing dip and picturesque campsites.

Day 1

After an early morning drive up to Temple Stream road end, we make our way up the south branch.

alpine creek with mountains in the background

Scree fields run down from the peaks above us all the way to valley floor.

2 hikers walking along the base of a scree slope

At South Temple Hut we branch off, following the side creek west and then a second branch south. For the most part the bush is open and route finding is simple enough, although at times it is easier to climb the creek itself.

2 hikers climbing steeply up a small creek

After some climbing we are granted a view out of the bush, northwards into the upper reaches of the South Temple.

a green alpine valley

The going gets easier after emerging from the bush, we now follow the creek up rocky slopes.

upper mountain valley with mountains beyond

The view up towards our final climb of the day to point 1864. It is interesting to see that the creek below the waterfall in this picture actually disappears into the permeable scree before reappearing further below us.

looking up at a scree slope with grassy patches

Magnificent views back down into the South Temple from point 1864.

mountains and blue sky

We manage to find some tent spots on the grassy patches above the two tarns tucked away in this basin.

a small lake with scree slopes around

It has been a hot day and a dip here is welcome refreshment before dinner, although potentially one of the colder alpine plunges I have ever had!

Day 2

From our campsite we head south east to cross the saddle between points 2222 and 2090. From here our grassy campsite nestled between the two tarns is more obvious.

2 small lakes with scree slopes and mountains all around

I have never been through an area quite like this, where everything around is loose rock. It is still morning but already the day is baking hot.

2 hikers descending a rocky valley

Descending further into the valley we cross some grassy patches, then traverse and climb up the true left side of the valley. This is looking back up where we have come down from; the saddle we crossed is just out of sight around to the right at the head of the valley.

a rocky valley

We climb steeply up a mixture of loose scree and the underlying rock spines to reach the ridge line. We have to be careful as there is some exposure up here and the loose rock does not inspire confidence. We are rewarded with stunning views for our efforts; with Mount Barth most prominent above the Ahuriri Valley.

2 hikers on top of a rocky mountain

From here we can traverse along the ridge to point 1821. The gradient is easier now and the scree more sure underfoot. Though the endless rock still feels barren and inhospitable.

a hiker descending a rocky ridge

From point 1821 we descend south east, at first steeply down scree, then becoming more gradual with tussock. A hardy flock of merino sheep seem to be attempting to graze the barren rock slopes.

2 hikers descending a scree slope into a valley

Before long we reach the bush edge. We follow the creek down through thickening beech forest. This slows our progress but eventually we pop out onto the Maitland Stream track and turn right, up towards Maitland hut.

a hiker descending into the bush beside a stream

We find the small hut busy, after a chat with some of the trampers we continue onwards up the track to the bush edge. Here we find ourselves a spot for the tents and settle in for the night.

2 hikers at a campsite on the edge of the bush

Day 3

The morning is overcast as we continue on through largely untracked tussock. We turn left up a side creek to make our way towards Dumb-bell Lake. There are more rough tracks to follow here, clear signs of others’ passing.

2 hikers walking up a grassy valley beside a stream

Below the outlet from Dumb-bell Lake, the creek gorges and we explore up to find a small waterfall.

a hiker in a narrow gorge with spray beyond

After a refreshing break at Dumb-bell Lake, we head south up easy slopes to gain the ridge near the Pinnacle at 1817.

a blue lake with mountains beyond

Looking west the way we came, we can see back into Maitland Valley and the ridge beyond.

a valley with mountains beyond

Looking east we can see down to Lake Ohau and the plains beyond.

2 hikers on a rocky saddle with a big blue lake below

Heading south along the ridge, the way is rocky but easy going with gentle gradients and views all around.

2 hikers walking along a rocky ridge

Looking east, we can now see down into the very upper reaches of the east branch of the Ahuriri. The rocks have acquired a pink tint on this side of the ridge.

a rocky slope with rocky mountain beyond and 2 small lakes

We descend into the valley to camp beside the lake at 1514. A small herd of Tahr are disturbed as we make our way down the irregular rocky slopes.

a lake with 2 tents and hikers and mountains behind

Our favourite campsite of the trip, we enjoyed views of the impressive amphitheatre in which we are encircled.

Day 4

From our campsite it was a short distance east through tussock down to the trail in the bottom of the valley. Here we turned north, beneath the ridge that we had traversed the previous day.

2 hikers walking along a grassy valley with mountains beyond

The track then turns east and drops more sharply alongside Freehold Creek, towards Lake Ohau.

2 hikers descending into a valley with a lake beyond

We follow the trail skirting along the base of the mountain slopes to come out onto the road at the lake shore. Its at least 18km back to the car at Temple Stream campsite, thankfully we are barely on the roadside 2 minutes before we hitch a lift with a passing hunter, heading up to the Huxley.

A great trip. It was really enjoyable to piece together our own route, crossing into multiple valleys. Many of the tops and ridges in this area are very accessible and there are also a great many mountain tarns, always welcome after hot days tramping.