Whirinaki FP, Circuit
Plateau Roadend to Upper Whirinaki Hut, Central Whirinaki Hut, back to Plateau Roadend. Wednesday, November 20, 2013. Map: BG38
See pictures on our Facebook page.
It was a beautiful morning, a welcome change from the last few tramping Wednesdays! We turned off the Napier to Taupo highway onto Pohokura Rd, drove through the ever-changing landscape of logged pine forest, round the “closed road” sign, and reached the Plateau Rd car park round 9.30am.
The walk to Upper Whirinaki Hut was straightforward, everyone arriving within 15 minutes or so of each other, in time for morning tea. There was evidence of track clearing, by the junction of the river track down to the caves, and evidence of a track-clearing party staying in the hut.
We left the hut and made our way over a small saddle and down to the Taumutu Stream. The clearers had done a great job and appeared to be not far ahead of us. The group seemed to spread out over this section, the conditions underfoot a bit slippery with all the cut vegetation.
We had lunch at the junction to Mangamate Hut, where it seemed the track cutters must have been heading because the rest of the track downstream to the bridge was still uncut and at times it was easier to walk in the water. By this time, the forecast heat showers had arrived, some pretty heavy, so it was on with the coats once again.
Three decided to go down to Central Whirinaki Hut for a look, while the main group started the long climb out of the river valley, past the caves, up and along to the car park.
The forest is in magnificent order and it is always a treat to spend time here. We saw and heard kaka, cuckoos (longtail and shining) – plus the beautiful tawari just coming into flower.
It was pleasing to see the tracks being cleared, as some were getting very overgrown.
This was a long and, for some, a trying day – but very satisfying for everyone to be in one of the club’s favourite places.
Trampers: Gordon Tapp, John Marshall, Tony Pluymers, David Hills, John Burrell, Kelvin Shaw, Ken Ross, Vic Bullock, Peter Slagter, Dorothy Sole, Colleen Perreau, Murray Goss, John Dobbs, Russell and Alison Greer, who wrote the report. Visitors: Steve Wolfe and Cheryl Bruce
Leave a Reply