25 to 27 April 2025
To save the extra climb and distance on the last da, we left a ute at the Sentry Box car park and then drove the van to the Masters Shelter car park. The track up the Golden Crown was in places quite overgrown, especially where gorse was prevalent, as well as a lot of tutu and ground fern obliterating the track. Since there was little time pressure we had a 45 minute smoko at the high lookout point. It was a clear warm day with great views. Once on the top ridge track we went south to the Aranga turnoff and on to the old hut by mid afternoon.
Aranga hut, now proven to be on Conservation land, is a little sad inside but sound looking outside. The two bunks have only the lower bunks left, the tops having been removed. The building paper under the iron has long gone and it has a dark dingy appearance and not that inspiring, but nevertheless a sound structure and usable . The open fire place has long gone and filled in, the door does not shut well but better than nothing. DoC will not help with such as a bench for cooking etc or any quick cheap repairs. The hut which is on the do not repair list is, in my view, sound enough to spruce up and extend its life. DoC have supplied the hut with a water tank of recent times, and just a month ago flew in and set up a toilet. Just a few hundred dollars of materials when the toilet went in would have been in some way a meaningful improvement to the hut.
After a reasonably comfortable night we set off on day two, south along the main range in good weather. The route until the bush patches end was a good ground trail but once on to the open tops it was a ‘find your own way’ through the tall tussock. Views of Ruapehu etc were clear as was out to the western station country, over to the Ruahine Corner and Potae area and the Mount Aorangi fortress.
After a stop at the signed junction we headed east and down to Upper Makaroro (the sign also points south to Kylie Biv ). Late afternoon saw us at Upper Makaroro hut to rest after the tussock bashing on the tops.
The river the next morning was low enough to just keep dry boots, for me anyway, then the relentless climb up to the Parks Peak ridge and along to the hut for lunch. Even though it was a long weekend, there were surprisingly no other people or parties about. Finally the pleasure of the descent to Sentry Box and the ute (versus the slog up the ridge to the Golden Crown drop off and down to the van). Murry’s ute then ferried us effortlessly back to the Club van and so back to civilization again. Thanks to all for a good and safe trip and company.
Anthea C, Anne C, Murry A, Paula K and John M