Most days, a peek inside prospector Sam Summer’s stone hut might be the highlight of the Mount Crichton Loop. Or the view of New Zealand’s Lake Wakatipu from an outcropping not far from the trail’s apex. Instead, a night of rain drowned the stepping stones across 12-Mile Creek, And so a tricky swift-water crossing became our most memorable trail moment.
Mount Crichton Loop 4.8 miles, 1040 feet of elevation gain (March 4, 2024)
Our guides warned us the night before that the bridge was out. But the “boots or barefoot” decision didn’t register until the cold, swift creek came into view. We’ve logged hundreds of miles hiking in the national parks of four (now five) nations and near our home on California’s San Francisco Peninsula, but never through ice-cold, knee-deep water.
We chose barefoot. The hike had barely begun, and the prospect of completing the hike in soggy boots was unappealing. Plus, we each had a trail towel purchased the week prior for just this eventuality. We were prepared! And then we weren’t.
Dan – a tenderfoot whose mother never let him play barefoot – uttered a string of profanities as he wobbled across 15-feet of stony creek bed, shin-deep in cold water that made his temperature-sensitive feet scream. Dawn, who found herself knee-deep in the chill current, was more concerned about being swept off of her feet and over the small cataract that lurked downstream.
Fortunately, our guide and trail mother, Mary, was well-prepared. Boots on, knee deep in water, Mary stood mid-creek for at least 10 minutes while she encouraged and/or steadied her reluctant trail charges safely and without incident to the other side. She was our rock. Thanks, Mary.
How about you? Boots or barefoot?
We traveled to New Zealand’s South Island in March 2024 to do some hiking and sight-seeing. This post is one of a series about that trip.