Blue Lake, Moss Pass, November 2025
The view south along Lake Rotoroa from the camp site (464m). Recent heavy rain has raised the lake level above the jetty, left of centre
The section of track between Sabine Hut (the water taxi drop-off point) and West Sabine Hut was significantly storm damaged, with frequent sometimes large tree fall
Looking south up Sabine River, north of West Sabine Hut
Tributary streams were also up
West Sabine Hut (670m)
The track south of West Sabine Hut up to Blue Lake Hut was less damaged, making for much quicker travel. Ahead is Mt Franklin
The track steepens as it nears Blue Lake, opening out to reveal some beautiful terrain
Blue Lake Hut (1,190m)
Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake
The crystal clear water lived up to the reputation, doubling as a mirror on this calm day
Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake
The view west from Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake to Moss Pass (1,785m, centre)
A view of Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake from the south at about 1,300m
A view of Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake from the south at about 1,300m. Mahanga Range is top left with Moss Pass out of picture
Cresting the moraine at the northern end of Rotopohueroa/Lake Constance (1,338m). This 140m high moraine is what filters the water feeding Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake
A view from a 1,440m knoll halfway along the western shore of Rotopohueroa/Lake Constance. Franklin Ridge looms up on the eastern side
A view from the western shore of Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake, looking north
A view from the western shore of Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake, looking north
Late afternoon mirror magic on Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake
Late afternoon mirror magic on Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake
Late afternoon mirror magic on Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake
At about 1,300m on the ascent to Moss Pass. Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake is behind
At about 1,450m on the ascent to Moss Pass. Pt1409 is behind, at centre
Approaching 1,600m, with the chute leading to Moss Pass stretching diagonally up left
At about 1,600m, below the chute
In the chute
At the top of the chute (1,760m), looking east to the Franklin Range
A view from Moss Pass (1,785m), looking west to the Ella Range. Mt Ella (2,263m) is the highest point, right of centre
Looking northeast, back to Moss Pass from about 1,650m, on the descent to D'Urville River
A lovely tarn at 1,600m, before the descent route steepens up before bush line
Another view of the 1,600m tarn, with the Ella Range left/west and Mahanga Range right/north. Moss Pass is far right
Nearing the northern edge of the 1,600m shelf
Below the 1,600m shelf, looking back, east to Moss Pass centre
A view southwest to the head of the D'Urville, from about 1,500m on the descent
George Lyon (Ella) Hut (670m)
A view south up D'Urville River between George Lyon Hut and Morgan Hut. The storm damage was not as severe in the D'Urville as it was in the Sabine
Morgan Hut (550m)
In the forest just south of D'Urville Hut
D'Urville Hut (450m)
A view east over Lake Rotoroa, from the still just submerged jetty at D'Urville Hut
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