Anti-clockwise works out best around Boundary Stream loops

Bell Rock and Boundary Stream, 21 August 2024
Banner Photo: The view west to the Kaweka Ranges from Bell  Rock

Today’s tramp was intended to be the Yeoman’s Track but because this is still closed after Cyclone Gabrielle, we decided to do two of the walks in the Boundary Stream area: Bell Rock and Kamahi loop track.

It was a crystal clear day with absolutely no wind – a real treat, as you don’t get this very often at Bell Rock.

We left Napier in two cars and, after several traffic lights on the way to Tutira, arrived at the Bell Rock car park to start our walk at 8.50. On Ted’s initiative, we decided to walk anti-clockwise, which was a first for some. This meant that, walking the ridgeline with the clear skies, we had amazing views the entire way to Bell Rock.

We came across a predator-proof fence, installed to protect the petrels nesting on the ridgeline. Across the track is a fenced-off natural cave with a plaque, explaining that this place is sacred to Māori and contains the bones of petrels, which were a food source in ancient times.

After 45 minutes, we reached the junction with the bush track that comes up from the road. A sign here says that Bell Rock is another hour. It took us 25 minutes, but we needed to be careful as the track was very slippery. It was windless, so we had morning tea here while enjoying the views, which went all the way to the snow-covered Kawekas and beyond to Ruapehu.

Meanwhile, Tony and Ted had gone as far as the junction and were on their way back via the bush track. We followed in their footsteps and caught up with them on the way. It was cold in the bush, and again quite slippery. We were back at the car park around 11.15.

We drove down to the Boundary Stream car park for lunch. At noon, Ted and Tony took off on the Tumanako loop track, while the rest chose to do the Kamahi loop. I have always done this track anti-clockwise but, because of the big climb to the viewpoint at the end, wanted to see if clockwise is easier. Alas, that climb is harder, so next time I’ll do anti-clockwise again. By the way, it is only 200 metres of climbing.

We thoroughly enjoyed the Kamahi forest and the little stream with its waterfall on this track. While we heard a lot of birdsong, we did not see many birds. For three of us, this was the first time that they’d done this walk – it seemed like a great discovery for them. A good track to invite the family on.

We were all back at the car park just after 1.30pm. After a stop for a humungous ice cream at Tutira store, we threw ourselves back onto the not-so-pleasant SH2, and arrived home close to 3.30.

Trampers: Di Reid, Selina Chilton, John Holschier, Ted Angove, Tony Pluymers, Donna Weston, and reporter Elly Govers