Hidden Lakes Trip report 22 September 2024
14 Club members had a different and very interesting trip to Hidden Lakes 15km north of Masterton. The lakes are on private land and we got permission from the lease holder to visit and he joined us, as did our 3 ‘guests’…2 geologists and a Maori historian.
The weather in the morning wasn’t what we had hoped for but we set off regardless.
We started the day by going over fairly muddy land to the west of the lakes, to find out about the 1855 slip and the results as we see in 2024. The walking was up and down over the grassland, past the old Bruce’s garden and the Maori garden and then up to where we could look down on the Ruamahanga river and the path it’s cut. Moving clockwise, and upwards, we came out at the larger lake where we could see how the earthquake formed the lake. After lunch we moved on to the second lake and followed a track back to the cars.
The kowhai were in flower and the birdsong was lovely, especially when the sun came out. A very interesting day and the Club really appreciates getting access to the area and also the time our guests so generously gave us.
Laura and Mike
Trip leaders
