Trip 021 - Xmas Camp: Upper Wilkin (Top Forks)

 

DATE: December 28, 2022 - January 4, 2023 (approx)
LEADER: Antony Pettinger (03 473 7924)
TRIP GRADE: Moderate upwards (5-7 hrs per day)

The Otago Tramping Club first held a Christmas trip / camp in late 1926, visiting Cecil Peak station on the western side of Lake Wakatipu. Over the years many more Xmas camps have been held, as well as numerous extended tramping trips. Destinations have included the Milford Track, Wilkin, Rees, East Matukituki and the Hopkins Valley. The most recent Xmas camp held by the club was in 1983 to the Hopkins for the 60th Anniversary.
As part of 100 Trips, we are returning to the Wilkin for a Xmas Camp – the indicative dates are December 28 through to January 4, but these are flexible. By using the jetboat between Makarora and Kerin Forks Hut saves a couple of days or walking and allows more time to explore the upper Wilkin.

It is intended to be a camping trip, based somewhere in the vicinity of Top Forks hut. From here, the two main day trips available are a trip up to Waterfall Flat, the route to Pearson Saddle and Rabbit Pass / East Matukituki. The other is a nice trip up to the three named lakes in the North Branch of the Wilkin, Lakes Diana & Castalia, as well as the larger Lucidus Lake.

Due to the length of the trip, this trip is graded moderate upwards. DoC give a time of 6-8 hours from Kerin Forks Hut to Top Forks, and there is currently an alert for track damage and windfall on the track, which will slow travel and make the trip harder.

The trip list will close on December 15.