Waipawa Saddle, Ruahine FP, Saturday 12 September 2026
Banner Photo: The view back down the Waipawa River from Waipawa Saddle
The car park was very full when we arrived, with 10 keen trampers ready to set off on the first uphill section towards Sunrise Hut.
Our first stop was at the seat/junction for a quick drink and snack before continuing towards the Waipawa River. The track was overgrown in places and featured a large slip on the left-hand side. Careful footing through the toitoi was required to ensure safety.
The leaders found a sunny spot beside a log in the Waipawa River for our next break. This was a more leisurely stop, with plenty of nibbles, conversation and laughter.
Taking a break on the river route to Waipawa Saddle
We crossed the major tributary on the true left, after which there was noticeably less water in the river. The weather treated us kindly, with only a few brief spots of rain. The showers were just enough to prompt some people to put their jackets on, only to remove them again a short time later when they became too warm.
Substantial erosion has occurred since I was last in this area, presumably as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, although my previous visit was several years ago. The riverbed is now extremely wide, with little vegetation along its edges. In many places, former river flats have been buried beneath metres of material eroded from the surrounding hillsides. Many of the beech trees that once grew along these flats are now dead or dying.
Further up the river, I noticed two huge deposits of rock that had fallen from the slopes of Te Atuaoparapara. Viewed from downstream, they reminded me of the terminal moraines left behind by glaciers. Walking across these deposits was difficult, as the smaller rocks shifted underfoot and made footing unstable.
I also noticed more rock cascades than I remembered from previous visits, again highlighting the extent of the erosion that has taken place.
Lunch was taken relatively quickly, as time was moving on and most were keen to reach the saddle. The steep climb out of the streambed was just as slippery and challenging as I remembered.
The view looking to the western Hikurangi Range from Waipawa Saddle
I turned back about halfway up the climb, shortly after passing some snow. Nine continued to the saddle, and I could hear their celebratory yells on my way downstream. Progress on the return journey was almost as slow, as careful attention to footing on the rocks remained essential.
Regrouped, we stopped for another short break in the sunshine, almost at the same spot where we had first emerged into the streambed, and we decided to continue along the river. A couple of members visited Waipawa Forks Hut.
The final section felt like a long grind, involving continual crossings over the slippery rocks in the river. My feet were becoming increasingly cold too. I am sure the water was getting colder as the day went on.
Some waited at the bridge to regroup; the climb out of the river provided a welcome opportunity to warm cold feet. I was certainly pleased to reach the van and change into dry shoes.
It was a big day out with a late finish, but an enjoyable and memorable trip nonetheless.
Trampers: Sue Martin, Lee Andrews, John Russell, Selina Chilton, Shona Tupe, Pam Millard, Babu Chinnasamy, Julian Phillips, Colin Jones and Jenny Burns
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