Middle Hill Hut, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 13 May 2026
Banner Photo: The approach to the bridge across the Mangatutunui stream
The planned tramp of Middle Hill – Three Gorges was shortened to just Middle Hill, the gorges track being closed due to storm damage.
After the climb to the hut, time for a break
Two vehicles drove up Puketitiri Road, through the Rissington bridge construction site and a series of road works, arriving at the car park just before 9am. It was an uneventful walk in, the track in good condition with the usual muddy bits on the flats and the seemingly never-ending climbs, before we arrived at the hut.
Elly and Juliet checked traps along the way, finding four rats in the lower traps by the river. After morning tea, the group split up, Juliet wanting to check the traps up to the Makahu turn-off and Elly going down the first gorge, checking traps and assessing storm damage in that area.
We assembled again at 1pm, with Elly reporting only one tree down and one rat, while Juliet reported clambering round some downed trees and finding one rat.
Checking a DoC trap at the bottom of the first gorge (Middle Hill side)
At the hut was the local DoC guy who was checking the tracks. He said the through track to Makahu was cleared and open, but was not sure when the Three Gorges track would be done. Apparently it was going to be a big job, with most of the damage on the first plateau from the Middle Hill. We encouraged him to put a word in for the track to be cleared soon, as it is well used.
The weather was cloudy with a cool wind forcing us to put more layers on which, of course, came off as we made our way back down to the cars, arriving round 3pm. We were back at Park Island at 5pm after an enjoyable day out.
Trampers: Paul Hendy, Juliet Gillick, Kate Fuller, Elly Govers, Di Reid, Selina Chilton and reporter Alison Greer
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