Makino Hut, Kaweka FP, Saturday 24 May 2025
Banner photo: Enjoying the sunshine at Makino Hut
Our trampers were a punctual lot and we set off from Park Island just before 7am. We were ten females plus Julian (honorary female for the day). It was lovely and sunny, but chilly.
We arrived at the newly created small car park on Makahu Road. With no toilet, the steep and bushy drop-off to the roadside made finding a pee spot a wee mission.
But by about 8.45, we were pee-free and heading across the road, straight up the stairs on to the track, with a grunty climb for the first 20 minutes. Initially it was quite cloudy, but the sun soon came out. The track was good walking, soft underfoot, with many ups and downs. Sue said it had been cleaned up a lot since the last time she’d been there.
The historic Makino bivouac
The old corrugated iron bivvy is still standing, in a relatively sheltered spot, and is probably used by hunters. I’m sure it’s handy when you’re desperate, but it didn’t look inviting. Continuing on to Makino Hut, the first folk arrived at 10.40 as they had skipped a morning tea stop.
We spent an enjoyable break in the sunshine, and it would have been a good spot for a snooze.
Large beech trees make for sheltered walking on an easy track
By 11.50, when all were fed and rested, it was time to head back. A black rat was spied in one of the traps. We enjoyed a lot of birdsong from tuis and mostly bellbirds. Tomtits were also spotted. Many of the coprosmas had either red or black berries, good bird food. Coming down the last steep descent, a couple of cabbage trees caught everyone’s attention because they looked to be in full flower. Julian assured us, though, that they were seed heads.
Sue was the first back to the van at 1.45 and the rest trickled in over the following half hour. The track, approximately 14km, was a pleasant route enjoyed by everyone.
The funniest incident concluding the day was Jenny’s attempt at a discreet pee down the road and hopefully out of sight. We were in the middle of nowhere but, amazingly, not one but two cars drove past. Little chance of privacy, there!
Trampers: Sue Martin, Mary Campbell, Jenny Burns, Julian Phillips, Marie Deroles, Amelia Moorhead, Donna Weston, Selina Chilton, Sue Gribble, Juliet Gillick and reporter Michele Ericksen
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