Background
On Monday, February 13, 2023, I hiked to the summit of Roys Peak. Roys Peak Track is a very popular hike near Wanaka, Otago in New Zealand. The summit offers views of the lake and surrounding area. This hike is often done at sunrise because there is no shade on the entire trail and it can become very hot during the day. The terrain on the trail is easy and clear.
Hiking To The Summit
I started the hike at 4AM and it took about 2 hours 20 minutes to get to the summit. From there I waited with dozens of other people to see the sunrise. Seeing the light change was worth the early start. Shortly after the sunrise, I descended. Despite the weather at the start, it can be cold at the summit if you are waiting to see the sunrise. For this reason, it is important to have gloves, a hat and other cold weather gear.
The hike is also near the famous Wanaka Tree. It is a hub for photographers, especially near sunrise when the water is still.
Overall, this is an easy and rewarding hike in the Wanaka area. It's extremely popular so on a clear day, the parking lot could easily be mostly full by 4AM.
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