Kaweka J anniversary tramp, Saturday 11 October 2025
Banner Photo: The track criss-crosses the Makahu stream for a short while
The MK (Brett’s) trapline in the Kaweka FP
The planned tramp to Kaweka J was abandoned on arrival at Makahu car park. A couple had just descended from Dominie bivvy and told us the winds were very strong and forecast to get stronger. Plan B was quickly pulled out and studied on the big board map. We decided on Julia’s suggestion to follow a trapline taking us off the Kaweka Flats bivvy track and down to the Makahu stream.
With Elly in the lead we set off, arriving at the turn-off quicker than expected. A descent through beautiful beech forest, typical of this part of the Kaweka Forest Park, took us to the stream. Julian kept us entertained with his efforts to keep his boots dry at the occasional crossing.
The trapline is well marked; note a rat in the foreground (one of the many catches)
It was a pleasant walk along a pretty good track, stopping at each trap for our authorised clearers Elly and Juliet to check, clear and reset. Then morning tea in the sun by the stream and after a few more trap boxes, we arrived at the point where you leave the stream and climb the ridge. Here the track was very steep and care was needed on the slippery surface. After about 35 minutes, the track levelled out somewhat and wandered through the beech forest into more scrubby bush, finally emerging at the Kaweka Flats bivvy.
After a leisurely lunch in the sunshine, some inspected the recently cleaned and painted loo and bivvy. A group photo completed, we headed back along the main track, arriving at the car park round 2pm.
The group selfie at Kaweka Flats biv
It had been a very enjoyable day, venturing somewhere different, taking in our surroundings, the beautiful beech trees with their spring growth, totara and a few young rimu making a comeback. A kaka kept us company for a time, although always well hidden. Seventeen rats were cleared from traps – a successful day’s pest control. Thanks to Julia for her trapping suggestion and to Elly for leading.
Trampers: Elly Govers, Julian Phillips, Shona Tupe, Donna Weston, Geoff Donkin, John Russell, Nozomu Takahashi, Phil Shakespeare, Juliet Gillick and reporter Alison Greer
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