We arrived around 5:30pm and inquired at the campground office for tent space at the Pine Grove Motel. The elderly woman said, 'sorry we are full, you'll just have to keep on going'. We were flabergasted and out of gas. We thought she was kidding at first, but she said that the camping area was full and if she were to let us stay the toilets might start overflowing! I know that MJ and I have been eating a lot lately, but surely...??
Luckily Jen and Jeroen, our Dutch friends were staying there and Jen went to have a word with the manager. She finally relented and agreed to let us stay for an extra $5. By some miracle MJ and I managed to keep the toilets from overflowing and left the next day for a short ride to the Welcome Flats Hut trailhead. We quickly rearranged our gear into our backpacks and stashed the rest and our bikes in the bush before fording the river to begin the track.
The hike was arduous but afforded some great views of the glacial river along the way. 5.5hrs on the trail and we popped out at the very accomodating hut. We were, however camping nearby with Jen and Jeroen and were stunned by the peaks accented with ice that cradled us all around. The hut also has the added attraction of hotspring pools. They are shallow but deep enough to lie down in and the bottom is a fine light-colored mud like in a ritzy spa mud bath. They were hot and absolutely perfect for weary hikers. We made camp and ate dinner and at nightfall lounged in the pools under the moon and stars. This was definitely luxury in the bush. Went to bed with full bellies and warm bodies. The middle of the night was interupted by the curious (and apparently hungry) opossums that hide out during the day. We outsmarted them by keeping our food in the tent and they left us for easier pickings.
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