After weeks of long hot days, typical of this summer, it was a relief to pile out of the cars at Lake Catherine on such an overcast, pleasantly cool day. On with boots and then the big decision about which direction to tackle the 17 km loop around The Redoubt, the large hill that overlooks the Avoca - Harper confluence.
Clockwise was the consensus - so that we did not start with a climb. Plodding around the side of Lake Catherine was very pleasant indeed, with water remaining crystal clear well out towards its centre, however the trout could probably see the two fishermen also. We ambled pleasantly down towards the Harper for an hour and then started to climb up and around the side The Redoubt.
The track now dropped away in front of us, but rather than lose height we followed a new fence line, around the contour of the hill. This went well for 20 minutes until the fence climbed and we were pushing slowly through matagouri, bracken and Coprosmas, underpinned with loose sharp boulders and shingle. ‘Discretion became the better part of valor’ for most as we reneged and made our way down the scree and onto the easier flats 150m below.
Then it was into the business of regaining the lost height. We were pleased it hadn’t been hotter day. Lunch was where we regained a 4WD track overlooking the Pinnacles in the Harper River bed. On the map we were half way around in distance, but the track along the old moraine terrace above Lake Catherine undulated more than anticipated.
This last slog was made easier with the drizzle at our backs, several spectacular tarns and large spring fed streams that gushed copiously from the tussocks. We finished the day with a steady descent down to the hut at Lake Catherine.
A great day out and thanks to Ryton Station.
Participants - Brian Fineran, Darryl Hodge, Trevor Saul, Gordon Habgood, Rod Helm, John Chivers, Robin Muirson, Donald Reid
Panorama of the the Harper and Avoca catchments>
Looking down the Harper River towards Lake Coleridge
