On a chilly winter day like yesterday, when the southerly wind is blasting the anglers off the river, the tourists are seeking a nature walk out of the wind. This is the perfect place. A hidden lake is in a basin surrounded by unspoilt mature bush. This location was never milled as they could not transport any logs out, so the fauna is much the same as when the first settlers arrived.
The challenge is to try to locate the secret outlet to the lake. You might hear it rather than see it.
Following TRM blog from 2017…
A scenic stroll around a hidden lake
Recently TRM Daily Report suggested some better alternative walking trails to avoid the crowding and delays and parking or shuttle bus hassles on the Tongariro Crossing.
Each of these loop trails is short enough to be able to back out if the weather turns…
1 A one hour riverside loop walk with views over the Tongariro River and Lake Taupo (see below)
2 A two hour walk around a beautiful secluded hidden lake.
3 A two hour alpine loop walk to a spectacular waterfall.
But today’s report and short video by TRM inmates is all about Lake Rotopounamu (Greenstone Lake).
The following description was pinched off the DOC website for Lake Rotopounamu.
Description
Rotopounamu fills a crater nestled into the western side of Mount Pihanga. It is nine metres deep and covers one square kilometre. The name of the lake comes from the Maori words ‘roto’ (lake) and ‘pounamu’ (greenstone).
Beginning opposite the parking area, the track winds gently uphill to the track junction. To walk around the lake, turn right and follow a short section of gravelled track before dropping down towards Five Minute Beach. Here a broad tree stump provides a good spot to view the lake.
Long Beach sweeps along the eastern side of the lake and is an ideal spot for a picnic or rest stop. There is a toilet here.
The track continues to the northern shore where three of the lake’s four tributary streams enter the lake. The lake usually has no visible outflow, however, when the water levels are low a small outflow can be seen near the shore on the southern side of the lake.
Continuing on, you pass Ten Minute Beach and soon return to the track junction. From here it is downhill to the carpark. Allow two hours for a leisurely walk around the lake.
Shorter option
From the road, take the track up to the junction and turn left. This short 20 minute walk will bring you to Ten Minute Beach, a pleasant picnic and swimming spot in summer.
Getting there
11 km from Turangi off SH47, the parking area is signposted on the south side of Te Ponanga Saddle.
Nature and conservation
Where once the forest was quiet, now many small birds fill the air with song – the North Island robin is often seen, and the big birds are back – kākā, kererū and falcon. The area has become a safe haven thanks to the work of Project Tongariro.
The group, made up of local volunteers, protects this World Heritage area from introduced predators and weeds through a network of traps and bait stations.
Know before you go
Take care crossing the busy road from the car park to the start of the track.