Chester Lake
Monday July 29th
Picked up an extra hike this week with some of the Meanderthals Group. Started out in the rain from the parking lot. Later we had a hail shower and the temperature was cold enough that it did not melt immediately which was not a surprise as there was fresh snow on the mountain tops.
The parking lot has had to be rebuilt after the Great Flood of 2013. The old trail started on an old forestry road which has gone. After about 300 m all is normal.
Damage to the start of the trail
Just through the gate start of trail
Although I have ben on this trail in the past I have never been up to the elephant rocks and the three lakes beyond.The trail rises gradually up to Chester lake.
Chester Lake
On one of my past trips up I summited Mt Chester the gully access has been totally changed by the heavy rains.
Gully to Mt Chester Scramble
Comparison to how the gully used to look before the flood to how it now is in the previous photo.
Just before the lake after the toilet podium you can turn left to the elephant rocks or carry on along the lake untill a trail bears left and upward.
Strange rocks called Elephant Rocks
Elephant Rocks
Carry on past rocks to the left and follow the trail to the First lake. No other names for them given.
First Lake
First Lake
The trail on the left of the lake rises up a slippy section to the next two lakes. Not as good-looking as the first.The views would be better but not today.
Second Lake
Third Lake
Lunch at the top at least it stopped hailing. Return by the same route.
Distance 14 km Elevation gain 680 m Max elevation 2455 m Time 4 hrs moving 1:30 stopped Total 5:30 hrs
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