Black Birch Ridge, Kaweka Forest Park, Wednesday 14 May 2025
Banner Photo: A soggy snack break at Black Birch bivouac
The trip originally planned for the day was the Manawatu Gorge track. However, the Ashhurst end of the track is temporarily closed so Black Birch Ridge was the alternative. A van full of trampers left Napier at 7.30am for Little’s Clearing.
A short walk through bush from Little’s Clearing
As we drove toward the Kawekas, the cloud was low and as we reached Little’s Clearing after 8.30, we were met with fine drizzle. It was also fairly cool. There was a short delay in setting off as everyone put on more layers and wet weather gear.
The native forest is really beautiful for the first part of the track. As we came out of the forest, there were stretches of muddy track and it was wet through the grassland and manuka across the top. Low cloud meant no views.
We stopped at the wee bivvy for morning tea and a chat and then all but two of us continued. Through the ugly pinus contorta forest with not a living thing under big trees which are piled up with dry needles, through the couple of little grassed clearings to a bit more native bush, arriving at the point where the track drops down to Lotkow Road. We then retraced our steps back towards Little’s Clearing.
Pinus contorta along Black Birch Ridge heading to Lotkow Road
There had been a bit of drizzle on and off throughout the morning but when we got back to the clearing it became more persistent. Some of us ate lunch under the shelter of trees on the edge of the clearing or in the van. As the drizzle turned to rain, we quickly changed our gear and headed for Napier after 1pm.
Thanks very much to Juliet for organising the tramp and to Juliet and Bruce for driving the van.
Trampers: Juliet Gillick, Bruce Hodgson, Simon Hill, Mandy Cunningham, Denise Bavidge, Keith Gore, Sue Gribble, Marie Deroles, Tony Pluymers, Mark Jenkins, Di Reid and reporter Christine Briasco
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