Kiwi Saddle Hut, Saturday 23 September 2023
Banner Photo: The track up from the Cameron car park, to Kiwi Saddle Jct
On an overcast day with rain looming on the horizon, eight trampers departed Park Island in style, in a Mercedes van and one private car. We met Di waiting at Fernhill then headed to Cameron car park.
At 8.15, we set off across a bridge past some cyclone damage along the Waikarekare stream, then up the hill towards Mt Kuripapango. The weather was in our favour, ascending the ridge.
There were beautiful views of the Ngaruroro River below us and we saw a lovely rainbow and two waterfalls.
We made good time to the junction, arriving just after 10. We had a snack and carried on up the Smith Russell track to about 1359 metres.
It was quite windy out in the open and we could see rain heading our way, so it was decided not to carry on to Kiwi Saddle Hut. So we turned around and headed back the way we had come – but not before we viewed Te Iringa and some of Timahanga Station.
Back at the junction to Cameron car park, we had lunch. Then four headed down to the Lakes car park while the rest of us went back to Cameron car park.
Along the way, I thought Julian was getting Juliet to collect some rocks for him. But I was wrong; they were pulling out wilding pines (good job). We arrived back at the vehicles as the rain came in.
Thanks to Fiona for picking up the four from the Lakes car park and thanks to everyone for making it a great day.
Trampers: Shona Tupe, Julian Phillips, Su Nugent, Juliet Gillick, Fiona Bryant, Cherie Le Lievre, Di Reid, Amelia Moorhead and reporter Campbell Living
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