A Tramp for a Youngman - Loop Track to Youngman Stream and Tarn Huts

Kev heads off by himself to the Puketeraki Forest Conservation Area located in the Lees Valley in Canterbury. The Youngman Stream and Tarn Huts loop track would normally be done in a two- or three-day loop, although Kev decided to do it one rather large day which took a little bit over 9 hours. Although located within 100km of Christchurch, about a third of this journey is along winding gravel road. This can be navigated easily in a 2WD car, but some extra time needs to be allowed due to the terrain. The tramp starts in private land before eventually meeting a junction in the track where you can either go uphill to Tarn Hut or continue along the Ashley River/Rakahuri to the Youngman Stream Hut. At Trent Gully the track diverts up around a narrow gorgey part of the river, however in low river levels it is possible to continue directly up the river to the Youngman Stream Hut. Information on river flows can be found at www.ecan.govt.nz/data/riverflow/sitedetails/66210 From Youngman Stream Hut it is a steep climb up through beech forest to Lilburne Hill (1405m) the highest point of the tramp. From here it is another 20-minute walk across the tops to Tarn Hut and the tarn where it is sited. Tarn Hut is classified as a Basic/Bivvies category, so it is free to stay in. It is a magical setting, although the large number of tadpoles in the tarn suggests that the croaking from frogs at certain times of the year could be rather loud. The return trip to the car parking area (near to a hayshed located close to the road) is across a 4WD farm track that is in open terrain the entire way. Further information can be found on the DOC website at www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/… Music Track: Rainforest — Vendredi [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Rainforest — Vendredi | Free Backgrou...   Free Download / Stream: alplus.io/rainforest Track: We Were Young — Vendredi [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • We Were Young — Vendredi | Free Backg...   Free Download / Stream: alplus.io/we-were-young