Bird’s-eye views galore across the Sparrowhawk Range

Sparrowhawk Range, Wednesday, 6 July 2016

It was frosty driving up the Napier-Taihape road, over Gentle Annie, past the Comet Road turn-off and the entrance to Timahanga Station and on to the bridge over the Taruarau River. We parked the van and the car just across the bridge and began our walk at about 9am. It was cold.

With kind permission from the landowners, we climbed over a fence and followed a very good but steep track up to the tops. Twelve decided to go “all the way”, and four took it a little easier.

Gradually the track became less steep and the bush opened up. The sky was crystal clear and the first glimpse of Ruapehu had everyone in awe. But then came the second glimpse, and the third, and Ngauruhoe joined in. In short, views galore.

After an hour and almost 400m of climbing, we reached a trig point (989m), which gave us views not only towards Ruapehu but on to Timahanga Station and the Kawekas – and a perfect spot for morning tea.

From here, we followed the ridge for another 75 minutes, still on a remarkably good and clear track. There were a few ups and downs, leading via our highest point of the day (1165m) to the final high point, which let us clearly identify the Comet range, the northern part of the Ruahine Range with Ruahine Corner in the distance, the Taruarau River in the gorge-like valley below us, as well as Otupae.

Some of us had been on the previous Sparrowhawk Range tramp but had been blown off by gale-force winds, so they were delighted to be able to go the whole way this time.

However, there was still a cold breeze and we needed somewhere out of the wind for lunch. Seven ladies found a nearby spot, but the five others made their way back for another 15 minutes or so before having lunch. In the sun and out of the wind, it was just perfect.

Lunch was fairly early and just after noon we were on our way back again, taking only 1hr 40 mins to get back to the van. The four who did not come the whole way had made it to the trig and still been able to enjoy the majestic views.

At 3.30pm, we were back in Napier.

Trampers: Dorothy Sole, Rosemary Jeffery, Alison Greer, Peter Slagter, Robyn Smith, Kelvin Shaw, Paul Exeter, John Marshall, John Burrell, Murray White, Vic Bullock, Marie Deroles, Sally Woods, Viv Bramley, Mary-Anne Ruffell, and scribe Elly Govers