Trampers: Gordon Tapp, Isobel Holdaway, Gillian Dalton, Sue Martin (trip leader), Murray Goss, Marc Marchal, Paul Hendy, Kelvin Shaw and Jude Paton

On a mild, sunny, windless morning, nine of us headed for the hills with Kelvin (who’d come to check out the Saturday trampers) at the wheel. The sun catching the snow-topped ranges looked amazing.

We set out over farmland at 8.25 taking the “short cut” (a bit of a challenge, since none of us had been that way before), in order to save ourselves the climb up from the river. A short way along the fenceline bordering the bush, we spotted the arrow pointing 1km downhill to the river and the DoC sign board and we were back on track! Looking back, we had fantastic views of the braided Makororo spread out way below us. We ambled along a gently climbing track through lovely bush and moss with dappled sunshine, in high spirits.

A sunny spot by Gold Creek, a good place for a group photo. Taken by Kelvin Shaw

After two hours, we reached the drop-off point down to the hut. Who said only 10 minutes to morning tea in the sun at the hut? A half hour’s steepish descent later, we splashed through the stream and discovered an old Forest Service 4-bunker with a fresh coat of orange coat and new skylight, light and very tidy. A sunny spot by the stream was the setting for our leisurely “brunch”. Strangely, no one opted for the downstream route (Ted’s words ringing in our ears: “Cold Creek”) and instead we braced ourselves for the uphill trek.

Due to the scintillating conversation, our feet did the walking and 40 minutes later we were surprised to be back on top again. The sky to the west darkened and a shower had us scrambling for our raincoats. A few minutes later, the skies cleared and a rainbow appeared. One of the party then discovered she was hands-free and remembered her pole was leaning against the tree where she’d put on her raincoat. With time to spare, two of us hot-footed it back up the track to retrieve the stick and returned via the shortcut. The rest continued down the track to the memorial above the river, before dragging themselves back up the hill (the hardest part of the day, they claimed!) to the van, arriving back at 2.45pm.

A stop at Tikokino for refreshments saw nine happy trampers return to town after a leisurely day’s tramp in excellent company and ideal conditions. Well done team!

See Gossy’s photo album at http://www.fishinghuntinginfo.com/photo-gallery/backcountry-huts-and-surrounding-terrain/gold-creek-hut-sat-26th-august-2010/

Rangiwahia Hut (or Rangi for short) sits in a hollow just above the bushline on the Whanahuia Range in the western Ruahines. The hut has extensive views over the western and lower North Island, taking in the volcanic plateau and the rugged hills and valleys of the Rangitikei district.

Rangi Hut the following morning

From the car park on Renfrew Road, the track sidles along a ridge through beech then podocarp forest before meeting a large slip. The track deviates up, around, then descends to join a main track just before a lovely arched, oriental-looking bridge. This spans a narrow chasm about 70 metres deep and is a great photo spot. From here, the track climbs (at times steeply) over a mixture of rocks, tree roots and zigzags, crosses below a small waterfall and then emerges onto a broad tussock ridge. The 12-bunk, serviced Rangiwahia Hut is then within sight and takes only a few moments more to reach.

Four of the group had taken this route, with three deciding to take the alternative Deadmans track route. This track starts from the car park but climbs up the ridge to the south. It’s well marked and leads up through beech, podocarp, and hardwood forest with the fabulous mountain cedar making an appearance.

Climbing steeply at first, the track flattens out before climbing again at a gentler gradient through a corridor of sub-alpine scrub and leatherwood. On reaching the open tussock, you can look across the valley and see the ridge that leads down to Rangiwahia Hut. For us, it was time to put on extra layers as the wind was cool and the predicted weather change was on its way. Snow lay between the tussock and got deeper the higher you went, making the going much harder. We had a very quick lunch by the tarn, checked the map for our position, and more layers were put on before the last ascent to the signpost on Mangahuia at 1583m, the high point of the day. We seemed to have steered clear of the dark clouds all day.

Alison Greer and Julia Mackie, frozen in time

Photos were swiftly taken of some great views, as it was too cold to linger; then it was down the poled, snow-covered ridge trying to keep to the clumps of tussock for better footing. Les was going like a bat out of hell, as he was very cold. We all managed to fall over at some stage, with one or two full face-plants thrown in. We could see in the distance three members of the other group who had come up to meet us and were watching our progress. We met up and they were impressed that it had only taken four hours to do the loop.

Les crossing the arched bridge on our way out

With the weather closing in, we made our way down to the hut where the gas heater was going and the kettle was on. That night, we shared the hut with four women from Wellington and in the morning had an uneventful walk out to the car park.

Trampers: Vic Bullock, Paul Exeter, John Gray, Alison Greer, John Marshall, Les O’Shea, Kelvin Shaw, Peter Slagter and reporter Ken Ross

This was an eagerly anticipated new tramp. Te Waewae is a station inland from Kotemaori off the road to Wairoa. After a drive of close on two hours on generally very good roads, we were met at the gates by Ian, the station owner. He not only met us but had planned our route for the day and was going to accompany us.

The view of the Mohaka and Te Hoe Rivers merging just below the bridge

As well as the cleared land, where Ian farmed sheep, cattle (Welsh Blacks) and horses, was a large tract of native bush that Ian had covenanted to protect and preserve it. This along with another large area, covenanted by his neighbour, form a very large native forest along the east bank of the Te Hoe River. We were to spend most of our day in this forest with its many giant matai and rimu and others that Ian said could be up to 2000 years old. The understorey is lush, as trees are re-establishing themselves following pest eradication measures.

The break under the matai tree

We set off in overcast damp weather along a track that had been the farm access road until it was washed out by Cyclone Bola in 1988. Then we branched off with Ian in the lead on what was to be a circular route to later return to our start point. We generally followed west and south and although I always had confidence in our leader, he did on more than one occasion admit to not being on the intended route. Ian assured us that we were never lost; we were just not where he had intended us to be. We sat at the base of a magnificent matai for a mid-morning break before a long descent to what appeared to be a riverside plateau where we had lunch. No river, though, but nevertheless a pleasant spot for a well-deserved rest after a morning’s off-track tramping.

After lunch, we continued south before we emerged from the bush on a ridge with magnificent expansive views. We were looking down onto the Te Hoe River and Mohaka River confluence and Te Kooti’s Lookout was opposite. On the other side of the Mohaka River was Waitere Station. What a panorama!

The honeymoon hotel with a queue of guests

From here, it was across the farm, mainly on tracks, back to the start. On the way, we took time out to admire Ian’s old but well preserved totara slab hut. From there, it was to another magnificent viewing point, which was the site of a memorial to the pioneer family who had broken in the original farm. After a cup of tea, we farewelled and thanked our host for a most enjoyable day.

Julia Mackie reports (Makino Ridge)

It was 17 C outside at 7 am, according to the van’s temperature gauge. You could feel it too. The forecast, however, was not good. Rain was on the way.

The Makino five, Simon Hill, Geoff Donkin, Alison Greer, Matt Green and Julia Mackie at the Makino Ridge Junction

The Makino five started our tramp in dry weather, but at the first plateau, raincoats went on. The bush was eerie and damp with a dull light, quite different from the summer. We reached the junction for Te Puia in good time, and stopped for a photo shoot of the Makino five. The exposed section of the track down through clay pan and shingle was going to be interesting in the wet and wind, but turned out to be a breeze – it must have been the Omni Grip on the new day tramp shoes I was trying out. The mountain tops were covered in light grey cloud, but still magic. More photos to take. Down to the bridge in no time at all, and what a sight… The new bridge installed to allow larger school groups to cross the Makino River at speed was not quite finished, we think, and the sign has yet to be moved. These improvements will ensure even better access to the Mangatainoka hot springs.

The new bridge over the Makino River

We moved on after the bridge inspection to the hot pools, as we had oodles of time. The Mohaka River was flowing higher and dirtier and faster than we’d seen for some time. We had lunch on the benches by the hot pool, and Simon had a dip.

Then it was back down the track and on to Te Puia Lodge where the other party had already been and gone. The wet weather was not suited to hanging around. On the trip out, we were joined by Jude, who had been shown the hunter’s bivvy by Ted and Paul. The Terrace Hilton looked in good order, she advised. On the walk back to The Gums, we would check it out too.

A final look at the tops and the Mohaka

Arriving back at the shelter, we changed in the dry, and made our way home. The rain had not stopped since we put on our raincoats, but was only light and not the predicted downpours. We were all glad to have decided on getting out and enjoying the walk, despite the forecast.

John Gray reports (River route)

Five trampers left the Te Puia Lodge track, heading up-river in dry conditions. We made our way as far as the first Mohaka River flats and made a detour to inspect the “Terrace Hut”, a small private hunters’ hut, which as the name suggests, is on a terrace above the river flats.

The river was running quite high, due to overnight rain in the headwaters but, as always, we enjoyed the walk to Te Puia Lodge. After a snack, we went up to look at the new bridge across the Makino River, adjacent to the old one.

After lunch at the lodge, we made our way back to the car park. It was still raining, but not too hard! We changed into dry clothes and waited for the others to arrive soon after. We arrived back at Park Island around 5 pm after an enjoyable day, fortunately not affected too badly by the rain.

Morepork photo opportunity

We set off from Makahu Saddle car park in cloudy weather and the threat of heavy rain. Robyn and I wanted some exercise and so kept up a good pace through to Kaweka Flats Bivvy. The wind was strengthening and rain becoming steady. We holed up inside the bivvy and had a hot drink. The door was propped open so we could see the rest of the group approaching. They had spotted a morepork in the trees and had stopped for a photo opportunity.

After everyone had arrived and had a snack and drink break, we headed for Middle Hill Hut for lunch. There was no point in hanging around in this weather. The drop down into the stream and then up the short and sharp uphill was testing for some. The track then undulated until reaching the hut. Three of our party who had brought the van around to Middle Hill car park on Makahu Road were already there, as was a hunter out for a day walk. We arrived in dribs and drabs, all very wet.

Shelter from the rain, and a fire too...

The rain grew steadily worse while we had lunch and the hunter started a fire in the open fireplace, while Gossie expertly advised him how to do it. It’s amazing how just the sight of some heat can help, even with a hut full of smoke; an open window was essential.

Some set off back down the track to check on the progress of others, still arriving from the bivvy, but no assistance was required except for encouragement for tired legs. The last stage of the tramp out from Middle Hill Hut to the car park was in steady rain, so there were no views or stops. We all got back safely and had enjoyed stretching our legs.

Trampers: Murray Goss, John Marshall, Colin McNatty, Sue Martin, Marc Marchal, Jude Paton, Simon Hill, Geoff Donkin, Isobel Holdaway, Les O’Shea, Gillian Dalton, with Julia Mackie and reporter Gordon Tapp

We saw a heavy coating of snow on the central Ruahines as we drove down Highway 50 to the Tamaki West River picnic area car park. A group of three Manawatu Tramping and Ski-ing Club were heading to Mid-Pohangina Hut. The sky was clear and sunny, but a cool northerly was blowing and it increased in strength as we climbed directly up towards the top of the range. This track is quite steep and it was slippery in places, particularly as we neared the top and encountered some ice.

Nearing the top, the views were fantastic

The track led us directly to Travers (the A-frame) Hut at the top of the range and to the adjacent four-wheel-drive road. Just as the hut came into view, two 4WD vehicles passed along the road, which was a bit of an anticlimax following our achievement in tramping to the top. Extensive views were enjoyed out to farmland and Dannevirke to the east.

Travers Hut is in a very exposed position, has a concrete floor and the wood fire has been removed, resulting in a less-than-inviting appearance; but no doubt it’s a welcome shelter for tired trampers.

Good progress was made along the four-wheel-drive road, and we branched off at point 1170m to a somewhat overgrown bush track with flax bushes sprouting in the middle in places. Good views of snow-clad Mounts Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe were enjoyed along this ridge.

Travers Hut, with Gordon Tapp and Les O'Shea keeping out of the wind

We spotted a farm motorbike on the side of the track and met the hunter who owned it further on, before having lunch in the sun on a sloping north-facing section of the track.

Julia moved off first to get down to Stanfield Hut and further on to Cattle Creek Hut to join Paul, Sue and Ted who had travelled directly up the Holmes Track to the hut for an overnight stay.

Turning south, the track led us straight down to Stanfield Hut. We encountered two hunters who were staying there, and they planned to hunt deer down the spur to the north. We enjoyed a snack break in the sun outside the well-maintained Stanfield Hut, and then moved down the river to the track leading up to a four-wheel drive road on the true left side of the river.

Arriving back at the Tamaki River reserve and our van, we had experienced six hours of enjoyable tramping in fine winter conditions.

Tamaki West Road-end to Cattle Creek Hut. Saturday/Sunday July 31-August 1 2010. Map: BL36
Trampers: Ted Angove, Paul Exeter, Sue Marshall and Julia Mackie

We had a group photo at the road-end, before the day and weekend parties split for their respective tramps. I joined the day party climbing up to the A-frame (Travers Hut). It had featured in the August 2010 Wilderness Magazine and I’d not been up there before. The walk up the Holmes Track was led by Sue Marshall. They reached Stanfield Hut, and made an entry before continuing upstream.

Ted, Paul and Sue were not aware of the change at the bottom of the ridge so, on reaching an impossible two-metre step up, realised that the cairns that they had made to guide Julia were in error. They retraced their steps and walked upstream until they sighted an orange marker. This was not visible further downstream. The new route up onto the ridge, with DoC signposts, has been in place since mid-April 2009. Ted, Paul and Sue lunched on the tops in the sun.

Preparing to leave, Ted Angove ensuring we have replaced the fire wood stocks.

On arriving at Cattle Creek, Ted and Paul took the track towards Mid-Pohangina Hut, which follows the creek. The party from Manawatu Tramping and Ski-ing Club had had to slide down a big drop at one point on the track, leaving skid marks. Ted and Paul retreated to the hut and I arrived after my detour to the A-frame. I was 1hr and 15 minutes behind them. We soon warmed up and had the hut to ourselves. The walk out over the Holmes Track the next day was leisurely, with time spent botanising. We had all had a good weekend tramp.

The van, with only a small group on board, headed north-east on the Wairoa highway on a very calm, overcast morning. After a short discussion, we opted for starting at the bottom of the Waipataki hill, doing the walk in reverse.

Leaving the van parked at the bottom corner of the reserve, we headed up through the beautiful nikau palm groves to the top on Aropaoanui Road. We followed the road towards Aropaoanui to the double gates which lead down The Old Coach Road. The track down through pine forest was muddy with large puddles to negotiate, then it opens out and you look over the small gully to the reserve we had just come through. The whole area was looking lush and green after so much recent rain. The trees had lots of lichen hanging from their branches, like beautiful green lace.

Waipataki Beach from the lookout

We arrived back where we had started in time for morning tea and then headed towards the beach, taking a detour through the small reserve which runs beside the road to check out the huge white pine trees and climb up behind the baches to a neat lookout.

The track round the coast is above the high tide mark and kept in very good condition although there was a lot of evidence of recent slips from the cliffs above, making it a little slippery. The sea was very calm and peaceful-looking, with only the occasional swell breaking on the rocks below. Our lunch spot was on a small shingle beach with a weak sun on our backs and only a couple of seagulls for company.

Aropaoanui Beach was deserted, so we made our way up beside the river passing a farmhouse, and out onto the main road by the bridge. Unfortunately it was then all uphill, passing the double gates we had been through before, to the car park on the Aropaoanui Road.

After a quick drink stop, it was back down the reserve to the van. With walking in a sort of figure eight pattern, an easier day turned into a longer one than expected – but enjoyable all the same.

http://www.zoomin.co.nz/map/nz/hastings/tutira/-aropaoanui+beach/

Ted and Paul, our two drivers through Big Hill Station, needed good skills as the road is getting very rutted in areas. The wet winter has not helped, but at least we did not have snow. “Rock and roll”, said Colleen. I’m glad I wasn’t driving.

On arriving at Ruahine Hut, another party of two men and young sons were already about. We decided to attempt the circuit heading to Koau Stream on the Shutes Hut track, on to a little-used track down to the Ngaruroro, and then back up onto a ridge to join an old vehicle track. The walk is through kanuka scrub and young beech trees, until you reach the drop-off down to a stream. Then it becomes bushy with many large astelias. The track seemed in good order and was well marked. I understand it was cut around eight years ago. Up the other side, snowfall in only a few places required negotiation, as did some kanuka trees across the track, which was also slipping downhill in some areas. Back up onto the top and across open scrub again, and then open tussock areas. A little undulation and then back onto a ridge and a gentle descent. A lookout point through the kanuka gave a view of a huge slip on the western side of the ridge.

The antler turn-off and lunchspot

We missed the turn-off, (although Simon saw it but didn’t say anything). However, we realised within minutes and made our way back up and spotted the cairn with the deer’s antler indicating the turn and drop-off down to Koau Stream. The zigzag down the grassy slope made the going easy.

Searching for the track marker nearing Koau Stream, L to R Ted Angove,Simon Hill Marc Marchal and Isobel Holdaway

Lunch in the sun was welcomed by everyone, with lovely views of the Longfellow Range. Ted checked the map, and concluded that if we continued down this ridge we would be better placed to drop into the Ngaruroro. I think that he is right, so we might give this a try sometime.

After lunch, we made our way back up the ridge and back to Ruahine Hut. We had left at around 9am and returned at around 3pm, so in all a good six-hour tramp. Yes, the easy/medium grade was about right. Our thanks to Ray Slavin for the loan of his 4WD vehicle.

It was a crispy cold Saturday morning when a large group set off towards the Ruahines. By the time we arrived at the start, the sun was starting to show and with no wind the promise was for a nice walk.

The entire walk seen from the farm, Three Fingers on the right and Bob's Spur to the left

We walked over farmland to the fence and bushline to the start of the track. The first part of the track climbing Three Fingers was quite well maintained, although slippery in places. As we reached the first exposed parts of the ridge, the wind found us and it quickly became quite cold. Everyone was searching their backpacks for windbreakers.

Morning tea was in a sunny and reasonably sheltered spot. We had only been going again for a couple of minutes when we saw a goat in the bush calling out for its baby. From here on, the path is no longer marked and we worked our way further up through low shrub and skirting the tree line. The track then dips down into a small stream with a hunter’s bivvy on the other side amongst the trees. We climbed to the trig and stopped for a group photo.

The group photo at Three Fingers trig

We then made our way across looking for the ridge that would take us through to to Bob’s Spur. This proved a bit of a mission. After a couple of attempts, we found the trail and Julia tied some orange tape to the kanuka. The track goes in and out of the bush until it descends more steeply in bush. There were a few old markers here and there. After a short descent, we found a sheltered spot in the bush to have lunch. From here the trail disappears and bushbashing is the only way to go in the required direction, down.

Bob's Spur - Two minutes of fun

Many falls, dirty bums and bloody knees later, we finally reached the highlight of the day, the shingle slide. A 150m run down in a minute or so, fantastic fun. From the bottom of the slide, we followed a path back to the farmland. And after crossing a couple of paddocks, we reached the vehicles in high spirits – a great day out.

Fifteen trampers travelled in three 4WD vehicles to the car park halfway up the Gentle Annie. The weather was fine, with the sun peeping through the cloud at frequent intervals. Climbing up the somewhat overgrown track with its short, greasy, bare clay sections, the party reached the 1191m point and enjoyed views over the Northern Ruahines, and to the farmland on the distant Tahuhunui Range to the West. There were small traces of snow.

Mt Ruapehu on the far left - Mt Meany on the distant right

Further on, we reached the next feature at 1324m, the Te Iringa high point complete with survey trig. Sidling around just below the trig, we had some magnificent views of Mt Meany, Ngamatea Station and – in the far distance – snow-clad Mt Ruapehu with adjoining Mt Ngauruhoe covered in cloud.

A short distance on, while walking close to the beech forest, we discovered a tarn full of water with old dead beech stumps protruding out of it – a most eerie sight.

At this altitude, we were exposed to the cool north-westerly wind and covered up a little more. The way ahead to Roberts Hut was not obvious, but a rock cairn indicated the route was somewhere down to our right. Dropping down into a valley, and beside a stream, we found the hut.

Roberts is a very old private hut, built with a frame of tree branches with aluminium cladding to the exterior walls and rubber sheet roofing. Inside, it has four bunks constructed of timber frames and sacking bases. A gas cooker, bench and food storage lockers complete the interior. A clear water stream flows down alongside the front of the hut, and there is a bridge across the river leading to a rudimentary toilet structure with plastic toilet seat and cover. Altogether, it would provide comfortable accommodation for its occupants.

The hunter's bivvy

Lunch was enjoyed in the sun on the spur above the hut. Returning the way we had come, we discovered a hunter’s tarpaulin bivouac in an area of beech forest just short of Te Iringa. Water was trapped in the bottom end of the fly, and there were camping remains indicating it had recently been used.

We negotiated the greasy steep sloping clay pans, with one member deciding there was safety in sliding down on one’s bottom, and arrived back at the vehicles at 3 pm after a most enjoyable winter tramp in fine conditions.