Young Wilkin: Part 2 Wilkin South Branch

On New Year’s Eve, we set off from Makarora with 9 days of food in our packs to explore the Young and Wilkin Valleys. This would be our last big training trip before flying to Montana to start the Pacific Northwest Trail in July.
This is Part 2: Kerin Forks to Waterfall Flat via Lakes Lucidus & Castalia
Day 4: Kerin Forks Hut to Lake Lucidus
The track to Top Forks Hut is in good condition. It seems that a decent number of people are heading up there. The track is easy going as it heads up the valley beside the Wilkin River. Breaks in the forest canopy give good views of the peaks on the true left: Castor & Pollux. After the first flat (plenty of camping here), the track climbs up and over a small hill before descending to Jumboland. This is the half-way point to Top Forks. There is a sign here, giving the times in both directions. At this point, we cut off the track and took as direct a line as possible straight up the flat. You need to cross the river numerous times, but the walking is easy and you save quite a bit of time. If the river's low enough, you even cut off the steep up and over half an hour before the hut. One last river crossing and we found a dry stream bed to climb back onto the track. The hut looked almost full, but there was no-one there. We kept going towards Lake Lucidus. This is a great day walk or to camp as we did. The tracks climbs very steeply through bush before reaching the upper basin. There is a small tarn here (before Lake Diana) which had a lovely camping place. We went on, hoping to camp beside Lake Lucidus, however, it is very rocky here. We backtracked down and found a flat area beside the river that flows out of Lucidus - you cross this on the way to Lake Castalia.
Day 5: Lake Lucidus to Top Forks Hut via Lake Castalia
The day was overcast and as we headed up the valley to Lake Castalia, it started raining. It was sucj a contrast to the stunning, summer's day yesterday. The upper valley was beautiful, even in the rain. We had hoped to see rock wrens up here, but the weather meant they were tucked up in their nests. The final stint up to Castalia is reasonably challenging. The sides of the valley narrow and you have to climb up a rocky, scree slope to avoid a gorgy bit of the river. It started raining properly by the time we got to the lake, but we found a big rock to crawl in under to shelter. We headed back down, retrieved our packs and went down to Top Forks Hut. We were here by lunchtime and had the place to ourselves. Two guys - one of whom we knew - turned up also heading over Rabbit pass to the Matukituki Valley. We were happy to have a lazy hut afternoon. Top Forks is essentially two huts, so we had the back hut to ourselves.
Day 6: Top Forks Hut to Waterfall Flat
We had gotten an up to date weather forecast via our inReach. The rain was going to continue through the morning and then clear in the afternoon and stay fine for the coming days. It was ideal to head over Rabbit Pass. We had a lazy morning, then packed up after lunch to go up to Waterfall Flat. The track climbs up from the flats. then sidles along the side of the valley - always difficult walking on the side of a steep hill. Once we reached the upper basin, the views opened up and we saw the two waterfalls the flat is named for. They really are spectacular as they drop off the steep sides at the head of the valley. We found the large rock bivvy and camped here. Through the night, we were disturbed by multiple kea landing on the rock above us. Each time we leapt up to shoo them away from our tent because you just can't trust them!
Day 7: Waterfall Flat to Jumboland
We woke to fog that was very low down, so had to wait until it lifted to head over Rabbit Pass. The other guys had camped closer to the start of the ascent, but we started at the same time. Very quickly, you are climbing up steep snow grass - definitely not the place to be with a bit of snow or after rain. The other guys being considerably younger and fitter made good time and we could son see them nearing the top part. As we reached the first of the rocky bluffs, Matt was increasingly uncomfortable and we made the call to retreat. Back down we went to begin what Matt called 'the walk of shame' down the valley. It's never a walk of shame, however, if you make a decision to turn back because you're not comfortable with what you're doing. We retraced our steps to Top Forks, had lunch, then headed back down the flats to camp beside the river, just where the track heads back into the bush.
Day 8: Jumboland to Makarora
Back down to Kerin Forks Hut. We had booked a jetboat ride via our inReach. We could have walked, but as we were heading into the Milford, wanted to save a day to have a bit more time at home.
Camera gear: Sony A7C, Sony FE 2.8/24 lens, Sony FE 4/pz16-35 lens, Sony ECM B-10 shotgun microphone, iphone 12, Photos by Matt Suddaby Edited on Final Cut Pro

[@marleymarl0]

Amazing trip, and nice videography. I’ve got this on my to do list this summer hopefully.

[@rachelfogarty4786]

Good on you for turning around. Rabbit Pass is certainly not everyone's bag. I would be the same. The drop off into the Matukituki side is apparently just as bad. It is definitely not a walk of shame to turn back!! I used to live in Makarora and the Wilkin holds a special place. Top Forks is one of my favourite spots. Nice to see it again. Thanks for the vid.👍

[@elefteriatravels]

Very beautiful 😍❤️