Makahu Saddle-Middle Hill, Wednesday 16 September 2026
Banner Photo: A recent treefall, fortunately not over the track
We faced a long day ahead, so trip organiser Juliet decided to set off from Park Island at 7am rather than the usual Wednesday departure time of 7.30. That proved to be a good decision, because we did not get back to the start-point until 6pm.
Nine were on this trip, a crossing from Makahu Saddle via Kaweka Flats and Middle Hill Hut to the Middle Hill car park. Juliet and I regularly maintain the trapline along this track and (as it was due) we took the opportunity to clear and rebait traps.
Evidence of the February windfall which had been cleared
Juliet dropped us off at Makahu Saddle, from where we started walking at 8.25. She drove to Middle Hill car park and walked up to Middle Hill Hut and beyond to meet us, servicing traps on the way.
It was a glorious day: hardly any wind, with a cloudless sky. It was even warm, and soon layers were taken off. In less than 90 minutes, we arrived at Kaweka Flats bivvy, to have morning tea and enjoy the view.
Then it was on to the gorge, with minor ups and downs on the way. The Kaweka flats are not flat! Once we arrived at the bottom of the gorge, we had to reach the track on the other side. This is never easy, but we managed via the scree slope and worked our way up to the top. It’s a 300-metre climb, but feels like 500.
After the 300m climb, the view back to Kaweka North and Dick Spur
On the top, we stopped for lunch. It was around noon. The views were amazing. We contacted Juliet via the radio and found that she still had a way to go before reaching the hut – but so did we. Fortunately, the hardest part of the day was behind us.
We carried on, again via a series of downs and ups. We were amazed at the damage that the February storm had caused to the forest and found more fallen trees on our way, probably from recent heavy winds. The tree-fall wasn’t too difficult to get around. About 300 metres before Middle Hill Hut, we spotted Juliet. Reaching the hut just after 2pm, we rested before tackling the final leg to the car park.
One of the stream crossings on the plateau to Middle Hill Hut
Juliet found no catches in the traps, which is not unusual for this trapline, and Elly had two rats and a stoat between the gorge and the hut. The low numbers may be a good or a bad sign; only time will tell.
The final stage down the hill was uneventful. We walked at our own paces. Some needed 1h 45m, others 2 hours, but by 4.30 we were all back at the car park. A big, but beautiful and very enjoyable day. Thank you to our drivers, Juliet and Campbell.
Trampers: Selena Chilton, Shona Tupe, Michele Ericksen, Michelle Finlayson, Campbell Living, Juliet Gillick, Mary Campbell, Jenny Burns, and Elly Govers
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