Kiwi Saddle, Kaweka Forest Park, Saturday 18 January 2025
Banner Photo: Amelia and Darran at the Cameron/Kiwi Mouth/Kiwi Saddle junction
There were just five so we went in one vehicle – and had a few laughs when picking up newcomer Darran. Thinking we were outside his house, and with no sign of life, I was urged to go knock on the door – which thankfully I didn’t, as we were in the wrong street and the slumbering residents would not have been impressed.
A quick txt established he was ready and waiting outside his house in the adjoining street.
We arrived at the Lakes car park at 8.20am and it was drizzling, so we donned jackets and pack covers. We went at a leisurely pace as we had plenty of time, and it was Donna’s first outing with the club since a spectacular fall last August; so she was easing into it.
The Smith Russell track never fails to charm
The steady climb up Kuripapango soon had us taking off layers. The drizzle had stopped but it was still very grey and cloudy with no views – at least we had the beech trees with brilliantly green mosses underneath on the Smith Russell track. They never fail to delight and are a favourite sight.
We arrived at the look-out point for a morning tea stop around 10.40 and I was able to show Donna photos of what the views should have been like, had the weather been more obliging. Shortly after 11 we set off again, but then Mary and Donna decided to turn around and mosey back to the car park whilst Amelia and I continued on to meet up with Darran. He had gone down to Kiwi Saddle Hut and was back at the Cameron Hut junction having a bite to eat.
There are normally great views – but not today
On the return journey, the sun finally broke through the clouds and it turned into a glorious day. We were all back at the car by 1.30pm, so back home bright and early.
Thanks very much to Donna for providing the transport, and we hope Darran didn’t mind being the sole FYM (Fit Young Male).
Trampers: Mary Campbell, Amelia Moorhead, Donna Weston, Darran Gillies and reporter Shona Tupe
The alternative tramp to Bell Rock
At the pre-tramp meeting there were three who, for injury and other reasons, couldn’t do the Kiwi Saddle walk so an easier option of Bell Rock was chosen as an alternative. The following Wednesday’s tramp was also going there but none of us were able to do that either.
We decided to start later and leave Napier at 8.30am. This turned out to be an excellent option because on the way to Tutira, the weather grew cloudier and more drizzly. We arrived at the Bell Rock car park to find it virtually full and muddy, which indicated that quite a bit of rain had fallen.
On the way up, we had the track to ourselves and it was enjoyable. The drizzle was light so most of the time was without a rain jacket, and it was warm. Once we got out of the bush, we started to meet people coming down and all told a story of not been able to see a thing because of the low cloud. So we took a morning tea break on a suitable log before getting to the top. It was lovely to see some views from there, looking back over the Tutira area and out towards Napier Port.
The view down to the Mohaka River valley
Bella at Bell Rock, on her first tramp with the club
We finally reached Bell Rock about 11.30. The cloud was coming and going all the time we were there. But the two who hadn’t been there before could see the fantastic views and the extensive drop-off to the valley as well as appreciating the mysterious land formations when the cloud closed in again.
We didn’t stay on Bell Rock for lunch but travelled back down again, making our way along the ridge track to see different sights and for an easier walk down. We stopped for lunch on an outcrop of rocks shortly before the point where you see the predator-proof fence. It was an easy walk from there to the road and then a short stroll to the car park. We had a stop at the Tutira store for coffee and headed back to Napier, arriving home about 2.30pm.
Trampers: Christine Briasco, Bella Lu and reporter/driver Juliet Gillick
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