Lake Dispute | Moke Lake Loop
We’ve recently added an eBike into our fleet, arriving just ten days before the level 4 lockdown this bike has been transformational on many levels. The idea was that it was going to give incredible quick access to a host of beautiful locations. The Lake Dispute, Moke Lake Loop is one of those rides. It’s a great ride on any type of mountain bike, but add in a camera bag and the motor really helps out on the hills.
It seems that the more common direction of this loop is anti clockwise. I spent some time thinking about it, and if start at Wilson Bay and ride clockwise, I sacrifice riding down Phoenix so that I can then ride down Gold Diggers, BoB and then take my pick of the trails at Seven Mile to finish off. This works out around 25km with just over 600m of vertical ascent. Which brings me to the one disadvantage to riding clockwise, there’s a real sharp pinch just after you pass Lake Dispute. This is one of the many advantages to eebing, this just becomes a doable challenge.
Lake Dispute is one of the hundreds of small lakes dotted around the Southern Alps. The track meanders beautifully along the eastern shore and there are a couple of well trodden paths that lead you down towards the water itself once you reach the end. Watch out for getting your feet wet, but it’s so peaceful to sit by this beautifully calm body of water surrounded by beautiful wetland plants.
We’re in the early stages of winter and the weather is incredible. The moon is beginning to wane and I rewarded with the most beautiful view of the moon of Takirau as it began to set. This means that we’re fast approaching the best two weeks of the lunar cycle for Astrophotography and our Starry Night Tours. Ebiking at night is a whole different story though, let’s get back to this fine winters day.
The Sun sits low in the sky at this time of year and as I head North it soon becomes a dominant feature in my ride. The recent snow coupled with some pretty heavy frosts leaves the track a little slick but certainly not sketchy. I just take my time, keep my legs spinning at a nice consistent rate and navigate my best way through.
The trail climbs gently through farmland and when you reach the crest of the hill, Moke Lake can be seen in the distance. The slopes of the mountains sitting either side of the flat form the most beautiful layered ridge lines leading your gaze towards Mount Gilbert, one of the tallest mountains in this region at 1787m above sea level.
It doesn’t take long to reach Moke Lake, and just like Lake Dispute it’s beautifully calm and still. The view from the Western edge isn’t seen as often as the one looking dead South from the main car park. It’s always refreshing to see a different perspective on these familiar features and you’re pretty much guaranteed to be all on your own out here.
There was definitely a slice of excitement inserted into the ride as the track traverses a face sitting in the permafrost, which coupled with the stark cold temperature at contrast with the bright sunny scenery, it is quite literally breathtaking. By now II was craving the sun and also really keen to see what it looked like further up the valley from the top of Moke Lake.
Following the Moonlight track signs I ventures through paddocks new, with the sun constantly shining into my face, my outer vision is filled of opposing valley faces, one sitting in the sun glowing with radiant orange light. The other side shivering away in the cold. A blue sheen to everything which wasn’t glistening white with frost.
As the track turned from a beautifully maintained farm road, into an unmaintained poled route, I knew it was time to find myself a sunny rock for banana and map time. Today didn’t feel the day to connect this side of the Moonlight Track to the other side. It was the opportunity to sit and observe. To really feel this place. It’s stunning beyond words, and when you think of living in a miners cottage or tent next to that river, brrrrrrrrrrr, that’s a shiver like I don’t want to get to know too well.
Not long after making the decision to turn around and head back towards the car, my eye balls rejoiced at having the sun finally behind me. The frost has well and truly melted and the ride out back to the Moke Lake road is getting a wee bit sloppy under rubber. The assist from the motor coming through the cranks makes it a breeze though, and it’s almost like I can just sit back and enjoy the scenery.
The gentle climb winds up a long mellow gulley, shrouded in the last light browns of the summer alongside the native greens. The snow capped mountains in the distance knowing that once we’re over the top, it’s down the road and into Gold Diggers. This is the most beautiful trail, winding through native bush and old gold mines. There’s just enough tech to keep you on your toes, but not so much that you can’t take in the feel of the place.
Crossing the road and into Bob, puts you into the last climb into 7 Mile. Ordinarily, this climb, like the one just after Lake Dispute all of a sudden becomes a fun challenge with the motor assisted pedalling. i’m pretty sure that most people ride this loop anti clockwise to avoid these two climbs. Riding it clockwise makes the absolute most of your vertical with one of the best treats being left until last. Kachoong into Grin and Holler, what a way to finish.
Mountain biking is always fun on Queenstown, no matter the time of year, there is always a trail for someone to enjoy. If you’d like some stunning photographs of you riding your bike in one of the greatest mtb destinations on the planet, check out Trail Shots, or emailus@authenticAs.org and we can work out a plan just for you.