Lees Paddocks return via Pelion & Kia Ora
Posted: Tue 22 Feb, 2011 12:15 pmWent for a bit of round about walk last weekend as one last adventure before the uni year starts (today 
) Started off in Lees Paddock then took the Venetian Blind Track to New Pelion. *&%$#! weather made us ditch the plans for a shot at Mt Thetis so we spent a day lounging around reading and watching Mt Oakleigh disappear into the mist 
Then moved on to Kia Ora with horizontal hail over Pelion Gap (always fun). Went for a side trip in the arvo down to Boulder and Cathedral falls (a little bit further down the Mersey from D'Alton). I highly recommend this for people doing the OT! Cathedral Falls and the Mersey Gorge are especially impressive! Bare in mind though, the track past D'Alton is VERY sketchy and runs along the cliff edge...
Lots of snow overnight and woke with Pelion East and Mt Massif well and truly coated! Then we went for a bit of a bash and had a crack at the Kia Ora - Lees Paddocks Track. It's a stunning walk through rainforest down to the Mersey, although it's poorly marked at best. There's also quite a few creek crossings which where a bit awkward/fun with the rain overnight!
All in all a great walk and highly recommended circuit if you've got a few days free
Lees Paddock Track
Lees Hut
Lees Hut interior
Pelion Plains
Douglas Creek
Cathedral Mt
Button Grass flower
Leatherwood flower
Graffiti - Du Cane Hut table
Du Cane Hut toilet
Mt Pelion East
Cathedral Falls
Kia Ora Creek crossing
Lees Paddocks looking south through a fogged lens...
) Started off in Lees Paddock then took the Venetian Blind Track to New Pelion. *&%$#! weather made us ditch the plans for a shot at Mt Thetis so we spent a day lounging around reading and watching Mt Oakleigh disappear into the mist Then moved on to Kia Ora with horizontal hail over Pelion Gap (always fun). Went for a side trip in the arvo down to Boulder and Cathedral falls (a little bit further down the Mersey from D'Alton). I highly recommend this for people doing the OT! Cathedral Falls and the Mersey Gorge are especially impressive! Bare in mind though, the track past D'Alton is VERY sketchy and runs along the cliff edge...Lots of snow overnight and woke with Pelion East and Mt Massif well and truly coated! Then we went for a bit of a bash and had a crack at the Kia Ora - Lees Paddocks Track. It's a stunning walk through rainforest down to the Mersey, although it's poorly marked at best. There's also quite a few creek crossings which where a bit awkward/fun with the rain overnight!
All in all a great walk and highly recommended circuit if you've got a few days free
Lees Paddock Track
Lees Hut
Lees Hut interior
Pelion Plains
Douglas Creek
Cathedral Mt
Button Grass flower
Leatherwood flower
Graffiti - Du Cane Hut table
Du Cane Hut toilet
Mt Pelion East
Cathedral Falls
Kia Ora Creek crossing
Lees Paddocks looking south through a fogged lens...