Te Puia Lodge, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 3 April 2024
Banner Photo: The Mohaka River
It was nature at its best on this familiar trip to Te Puia Lodge. The mist cleared to the south in the valleys, with a spectacular sunrise to the east. Some caution was still needed on the road past Patoka due to washouts, but overall the roads were in fairly good condition.
Past the ford, across the two wooden bridges and up to Makino Spur. Stopping here, we split into two groups with Sue, Alison, Juliet, Jenny and Geoff going up the spur, across and then down to the hut.
The Mangatainoka hot tubs, containing two surprised visitors
My group went on to the Gums car park, booted up and headed off via the lower track. The Mohaka River was stunning, as always.
There are still a couple of tricky spots to watch out for on the track and some areas of loose rock. One of our team took a tumble and then rolled over a bank but sustained no injuries; they brushed down, checked over and carried on. It was probably loose rock to blame.
Along the way, Donna (a new member) shared her experience of gardening and provided the antidote to stinging nettle (ongaonga): obtain the sap from new shoots and juice within the stem to rub into the sting site.
Almost simultaneously, both groups joined up at the lodge, which was unoccupied, to have lunch in the pleasant sunshine with fantastic views in all directions.
Everyone headed back about 1pm, although Paul and John raced off to inspect the new hot pools. They also inspected two surprised and unclothed visitors from the Kapiti Coast, complete with wine and paperbacks.
Another view of the Mohaka River from the track
There is beautiful regenerating kanuka, large and healthy matai and beech trees to admire past the swing bridge. We met three Scottish visitors at the lodge and later three others walking in (probably leaving it a bit late before nightfall).
On the return trip, we encountered a very rare and striking green gecko lazing on the path, and quite a few Red Admiral butterflies. They make ongaonga their breeding site.
I had a quick dunk in the river (gloriously refreshing) on the way to the van and we were back in Napier by 6pm. We’d enjoyed a warm, calm day in beautiful surroundings.
Trampers: Sue Martin, Donna Weston, Alison Greer, Juliet Gillick, John Dobbs, Keith James, Jenny Burns, Geoff Donkin and reporter Paul Hendy
Leave a Reply