Lake Head Hut - Travers Valley
Posted by: StagsRoar
S 41° 52.530 E 172° 49.327
59G E 651200 N 5362441
Located at the head of Lake Rotoiti at the outlet of the Travers River
Waymark Code: WM5A1
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 12/27/2005
Views: 30
This hut is sited in the Nelson Lakes area and entails a hike around the east side of Lake Rotoiti to the Lake head - hence the name of the hut. The walk begins at St Arnaud and is an easy couple of hours walk to the hut. It is all pretty flat going and I would recommend this walk for the inexperienced and/or young ones. The walk follows the lake around through
Native Beech Forest and and doesn't leave the side of the lake for anything over 150 metres and any point until you hit the head of the Lake. There are tracks and huts further up the valley and so it's predominant users are mostly
Trampers with a few
Fishermen to boot. Fishing the Travers River is challenging and with a moderate to low Trout population it is fair to say that these trout are very people shy and are not the easiest to tempt with the Dry Fly. A very nice clear river with a few pools and riffles to spot and cast on.
The hut is located at the lower end of this valley on the True Right tucked in against the bush edge and has bunks and mattresses for 30 people. Don't expect to much solitude if you go here. There is a wood stove and being a serviced hut you may find a bit of coal or wood cut up already. You will still need to take gas cookers for yourself mind you. One thing you will notice when you go here is it's proximity to the 6 Bunk Cold Water hut across the river. I have not been to this hut to comment on it but when I was at Lake Head hut the Cold Water hut looked liked it was being frequented mostly by people in boats - due to the fact there is a jetty in front of this one. A pleasant and relatively short walk this one and other walks and hut information can be acquired from the
Department of Conservation Visitor Centre in St Arnaud. If you go to this hut then do your part in leaving it in a neat and tidy condition.