Trip Reports

Cass Lagoon Trip   —   28 February - 1 March 1998

Written by Christine

The Cass lagoon route is situated in Cragieburn State Forest Park and is a popular weekend tramp for Christchurch trampers.

We awoke in Arthur’s Pass on the morning of our departure to heavy persistent rain, but by the time Brian had deposited us at the Cass river track end we had only a light drizzle to contend with.

For the first half of the morning we walked up the wide, rocky Cass river bed crossing and re-crossing the river ( more a stream ) with the bare slopes of Baldy Hill on our left. A track took us up into a forest of mountain beech and our climb began in earnest. We’d missed having a morning tea stop because of the unpleasant drizzle and the expectation of Cass Hut after about half an hour but it was lunch time when we rather wearily arrived at the hut. How welcome was Paul’s billy of hot tea waiting for us!

The misty rain was well gone when we climbed out of the trees up into the garden of tussocks and giant flowering spaniards on Cass Saddle. Behind us were great views of distant ranges and surrounding us, the dramatic scree slopes that are so avalanche prone in snow conditions. Looking down into the Hamilton valley we could identify our destination Hamilton Hut far below.

The track descended quickly through the bush down to Hamilton Creek in its broad bed and then ambled along to the hut. Hamilton Hut has commanding views of the valley that has steep bush-clad ranges on each side and Cass Saddle at its head. the big verandah was perfect for enjoying the afternoon sun, although others preferred to test the temperature of the river.

Malcolm made a big hit at dinner time by producing a variety of individual steam puddings setting the standard for the series of stunning deserts that featured throughout the South Island trip.

Perfect weather greeted us the next morning. We followed the Harper river, sometimes on tracks, sometimes on the river bed, up towards Lagoon Saddle. We had a sunny luch sprawled in the tussock at Lagoon Saddle shelter before a gentle climb brought us to the saddle just above the bushline.

The panorama of the glaciated mountains at the head of the Waimakiriri River and all the ranges that extend along the great braided river was magnificent. We could spot Goat Pass that we had crossed only a couple of days earlier.

The spectacular views continued as we sidled Mount Bruce before dropping into the forest for the climb down to Bealey. Not long in the bush we were greeted by Brian coming up to meet us, and on arriving back at the van, a very enterprising Peter was the hero of the day with a chilled supply of a popular South Island beverage. Little encouragement was needed for all to slake their thirst.

My fellow trampers were David W, David L, Stephen, Malcolm, Robyn, Jackie, Ralph, Peter and Paul

Lots of thanks to Ralph for his excellent leadership and Brian for being our patient Taximan.