A golden day on Golden Crown Ridge

Golden Crown Ridge – Sentry Box Hut, Ruahine FP, Saturday 22 April 2017
Map: BK37
Banner and all photos: Marie Deroles: Pohatuhaha trig from which you get expansive views

A crisp autumn morning with the promise of a beautiful day had everyone eager to get started. We piled into the van and headed out through Maraekakaho, past Kereru Station and down the Mangleton valley. The countryside was looking very green and lush after recent rains.

As we were doing a loop, it was decided the group would split into two. The first group of Juliet, Simon, Anna and Ray were dropped off at the gateway to Masters Shelter to walk across the farmland and up Golden Crown Ridge. The van carried on to the Sentry Box Hut car park; from there, the second group climbed up the track to the tops. Stunning views across the valley over to the Wakarara range can be seen from both tracks – a good excuse to catch your breath as both are steep climbs.

Both groups took the short diversion to the Pohatuhaha trig to take in the expansive views, but the morning view was better as Mt Ruapehu stood out in the early sun. Lunch was had sitting in the glorious sunshine but neither party sighted each other – one group did a little side trip part-way down to the Aranga Hut, just to experience more mud and bog!

Some more tops walking then the downhill; strangely, only the Golden Crown track had some minor windfall from the recent cyclone; otherwise both tracks were in good order. The first group drove the van back along the road, arriving at the gateway as the second group made their way over the farm and out to the road; a well-executed plan.

Trampers: Juliet Gillick, Simon Hill, Jude Paton, Bruce Hodgson, Marie Deroles, Anna Ridge, Ray Hughes, Fiona Bryant, visitor Dawn Moore and reporter Alison Greer