Lake Pukaki, like its smaller neighbour Lake Tekapo to the east, occupies a large glacial trough that was last occupied by an enormous glacier pouring off the Southern Alps as recently as 10,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. This glacier, and the many that came before it in previous ice ages over the millennia, have deposited huge amounts of rock debris (known as moraine) that today forms extensive ridges and terraces alongside the lake -- some of which are now left stranded as high as 500 metres above the lake on its western side. Present-day Lake Pukaki began to form when the extensive glaciers that covered this region receded at the end of the last Ice Age, extending northwards as the ice continued its retreat. Today, Lake Pukaki is approximately 30 km long.
While most travellers through this region rarely stop beside Lake Pukaki on their way to Mt Cook village, Lake Tekapo or the nearby town of Twizel, those who take the time to detour up the eastern side of the lake are rewarded with even more stunning views of the lake and the distant Southern Alps. A side trip up here is especially rewarding in midwinter when the surrounding ancient glacial landscape is often blanketed with snow. On a calm, clear winter’s day the feelings of wide open space and total silence here are quite overwhelming.
This early winter photograph is taken from Lake Pukaki’s eastern shore, looking across the lake at sunset towards the snow-topped Ben Ohau Range.
