Sawpit Gully

On a stormy fall day during a great visit from d^2, we pile out to Arrowtown for a little bit of walking in the woods, which has been proven to be good for the soul by 4 out of 5 dentists.


Approaching Arrowtown

One thing that can't be denied is that rainfall on fall colors looks really good, so we know we'll be in for a visual treat, even if the rest of the day sucks, which it doesn't.


Hike starts here

The Sawpit Gully track blasts out the back of Arrowtown and follows the Arrow River for a while before it turns sharply up and left.


Pipeline


Pipeline w/ model





Much yellow

As the track climbs out of the river gorge, we're treated to awesome views, thanks in no small part to steadily improving weather.


View back towards Arrowtown; swollen river!

We then follow a new canyon north for a while until we reach the high point of the track and start to loop back around towards Arrowtown. Somewhere along this new canyon, the storm breaks and we turn around to see an all-time rainbow view. Worse things have happened!


Tight


Wide

Towards the top of this canyon, the stream has overrun its banks and has chosen the hiking track as its next best course. Keeping feet and legs dry is a valiant effort for about 30 seconds, and then it's simply not worth it.


Awwwww goats

We make a short side-hike at the top of the track for what we hope is a view down into Arrowtown, but it's just a sweet view over Lake Hayes one way and up into the mountains the other way.


Peak to the north


Lake Hayes


Splash of color

As we dive back down towards Arrowtown, we re-enter the brilliant fall colors and do our best to not slip on the muddy track. Guess it's rained a good bit!


Dense


Down the path


Cool lichen

While the weather was quite poor earlier in the day, getting out amongst it was by far the wise choice. Usually is!

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