26 July, 2026
There is the saying within the club, albeit tongue in cheek, that on a tramp it is permissible to lose 15% of the party. In that regard this trip was already an overachiever before it started with a 30% loss. Regrettably, three of our party withdrew due to winter ills and chills. Therefore, the depleted party of six left Pukahu at 7.00 a.m. At Wakarara Road/State Highway 50 intersection we were to meet Murry.
The day had a forecast high of 4°C at midday at Gold Creek Hut so we were well prepared for the cold. The drive down SH 50 showed us a heavily snow covered Southern Ruahine Range and we were to walk towards that! Our start, at 8.30 a.m., was from the farm on Glenny Road, thus avoiding numerous river crossings, a 3km walk from the historic Yeoman’s Mill site and a 200 metre climb from the river to the start of the track. Once we had traversed the farm and through the farm gate into the Ruahine Forest Park, we were ready to start our ascent of the Gold Creek Track. The first comment was “snow”. No it wasn’t on our track but there was a dusting on the Sparrowhawk Ridge.
At this stage the party split into two with Anne, contentedly, left to bring up the rear and enjoy the beauty of the forest. It is a lush forest and therefore a delightful track with mature trees and an excellent understorey. The track is well marked (orange triangles) and worn track until reaching a 200 metre patch of lush ferns that cover it. This makes for some difficulty in following the track and knowing what is below for ones feet to stand on or in. Anne continued up the ridge until about 100 metres before the cairn at the turn off down to the hut, where a large tree had fallen and the track became indistinct. The return trip was more difficult as the orange were few and far between. Once again it was a relief to come out of the ferns between a sawn off tree. Here an orange marker was strategically placed.
The other seven had continued on towards the hut. It is a good, easy to follow 220 metre descent track down to the hut from the cairn. The last 10 metres required the use of hands and was a tad difficult to negotiate.
Gold Creek hut is one of the first Forestry Service huts, built in 1958, and it and its out buildings are painted bright orange. The hut has recently had a spruce up; with the construction of a new wood shed. It is a basic four bunk hut with a wood burner stove. It was reported that this was a very tidy hut with very clean toilet. “Very smart”, was used to describe it. Lunch was had in the hut where the party sheltered from about 10 minutes of rain.
It was a great tramp with little interference from the weather. Although there was a short period of sleety rain. The party had regrouped at the gate by the entrance to the forest park and were back at the van by 3.30 p.m.
Party: Nic W, Steve B, Lou C, Donna G, Selina C, Murry A, Anne D