3285 - Cobb Valley

Trip 3285 Exploring Cobb Valley, Kahurangi NP 08 to 17 March 2027

PLEASE NOTE

Must register for this trip by the 15 JANUARY 2027.

This is to allow me to arrange transport.

Start/Finish: This trip starts and finishes at Nelson. EVERYONE NEEDS TO MAKE
THEIR OWN TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND MUST ARRIVE IN NELSON AT LEAST
THE DAY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.
Accommodation Nelson: We have used the Nelson YHA Central in the past and is
a good central place to stay. I will be looking at booking here.
Monday 08 March – Today, we travel to the Cobb Reservoir and Trilobite Hut (1hr
30). Then, we walk to either Lake Cobb or Round Lake to camp for the night (Abt.
5hrs). We mainly follow the Cobb River.
Tuesday 09 March – Today is a "day walk" weather permitting on how much we
do. Plan is to ascend to Mt Gibbs (1645m) and follow ridgeline to Aorere Peak
(1730m). We will return to our campsite at Round Lake or Lake Cobb.
Wednesday 10 March – An easy day. Walk to Fenella Hut. There is a campsite at
the Hut. Hut sleeps 12 but, bookings are required. There is a tarn just up from the
Hut worth visiting.
Thursday 11 March – Walk back out to Trilobite Hut and Carpark (5hrs). Either
stay in the Hut (sleeps 12 but no booking required) or camp at campsite.
Friday 12 March – Drive about 6km along the Cobb Reservior to Sylvester Lakes
track carpark. Then descend the track to Sylvester Hut (2hrs), (sleeps 12 but, need
to book). Plenty of room to camp close to the Hut. Another easy day.
Saturday 13 March – Today we walk to Lake Sylvester and Iron Lake, then ascend
to Iron Hill (1695m) then follow ridgeline to Ruby Lake, where we camp.
Sunday 14 March – Today walk to Diamond Lake and camp here.
Monday 15 March – Day walk to Lake Lockett.
Tuesday 16 March – Today, we return from Diamond Lake to Sylvester Hut.
NOTE: Our previous 4 days off-track trip will be weather depended. If, the weather
is not suitable, we have options of day trips from Sylvester Hut.
Wednesday 17 March – Walk back to Carpark and drive back to Nelson. Maybe
have a group dinner in Nelson before everyone goes their separate ways.
NOTE: I will keep Thursday 18th

as a back-up day incase of bad weather.

I, must be in Blenheim on Friday 19th

for a family reunion so, we will return to

Nelson by the 18th

at the latest.

Transport: I would like to use a hire vehicle (car or van) to give us more flexibility
and storage of gear between the two sections of the trip or if we have to return to
Nelson earlier. I will have my own car as have other private things to do.
Accommodation: On the trip, we will be mostly camping but, there will be a
couple of nights we can stay in huts (this will be discussed further in group emails).
As usual, I will send a group email out closer to the trip with further details.