The weather forecast looked good with no rain due, and cloud cover quite clear.  It was time to explore Key Summit. I was on the road by 5.30am heading up Milford Road with little traffic. My car alerted me to the drop in temperature hitting 4 deg oC so I felt quite vindicated that I had brought along my puffer jacket.  I’d not done this walk before, so I was keen to test my fitness, knowing it was a 3 hr return with a fairly steep climb to the top. 

It was still dark when I arrived at the Divide carpark, with a nice cool feel about the day.  My camera with the wide angle lens attached was tucked inside my backpack, and my torch at the ready.  It was 6.30am with sunrise due around 7.45am. By my calculations if the walk was 3 hrs return, I should have time to get to the top close to sunrise (albeit that timeframe was already a bit tight).

The first part of the hike follows the Routeburn Track.  The path was gravel and easy to navigate.  Part way up I could hear  a waterfall off the side of the track and made a mental note to have a good look at that on the way back down in daylight.  The first of the switch-back uphill climb started not long after the waterfall.  After a few of these steady inclines my lungs decided it was time to “admire the view”.  I’ll admit I admired the view a few times on the ascent.     I reached the sign indicating 1 hr return to the Key Summit which included the nature walk.  The view was quite stunning by this point as the sun was just hitting the tops of the mountains.  I realised that I was not going to make the summit in time for the early first sunlight on the mountain reflected in the tarn,  so took advantage of the beauty to be captured with the camera as I pushed for the top.    

The whole valley opened out before me as the day dawned completely clear of clouds.  One last scramble to the top to the first tarn did not disappoint.  There was no wind which meant the reflection on the tarn was perfect.    As I continued around the nature walk I discovered another good size tarn with more reflection photo opportunities.   I spent quite some time exploring the nature walk areas before heading back down to the track start, stopping briefly at the waterfall on the way.   

The views were astounding and I fully intend to go again when there is snow on the mountain tops and will endeavour to get to the top in time for the first light on those glorious mountains.