Seven club members and one guest made an early start on this hike, leaving the Newton Lake trail head about 8:45, after assembling at the Heriot Bay Store at 8 a.m. We stopped at the ‘swimming rock’ for a short break, then hiked down the trail to Small Inlet. A couple of boats were anchored in the inlet, along with one of the Sail and Life Training Society (SALTS) tall ships. As we arrived, a flotilla of small rowing boats were heading to shore, presumably taking their crew for a hike up to the lake. We beat a hasty retreat to Waiatt Bay for lunch, then followed the portage trail past the bubbling spring and crossed the beach to reunite with the trail leading back to Newton Lake. We met the 70 SALTS (who were very polite) heading downhill as we climbed up, and arrived at the lake to find it restored to its usual quiet. Several hikers took a refreshing (!) dip, and we arrived back at the cars about 2:45.  13.7 km; 6 hours.

Darcy

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Hiking – Newton Lake and Beyond – 18 July 2018