Photos & brief accounts of recent trips is given below.
Use the links below for full reports and to access more photos
2021 Reports 2020 Reports 2019 Reports 2018 Reports 2017 Reports
2016 Reports 2015 Reports 2014 Reports 2013 Reports
2012 Reports Private Trips Cycle Trips
To access the old Pohokura archive click here
For more recent trips see our Facebook page for brief reports and photos of the tramps
FEBRUARY 2021
Makaroro River and Barlow Hut 14 February
On a beautifully sunny day 8 of us drove to Yeoman’s Mill site and started walking up the Makaroro River. The river was very low and it was easy walking following the 4WD tracks that went as far as Gold Creek. Three climbed a little way up the Colenso Spur track to view Colenso’s monument before all continued up to Barlow Hut. After a leisurely lunch we headed back downstream with some taking the opportunity to have a quick swim in one of the inviting deep pools we passed .
Waikaremoana Area 6-8 February
Over Waitangi weekend we had a party of 4 leave from Hopuruahine on the Waikaremoana to Rotorua Road and make the long climb up to Manuoha Hut arriving there just on dusk. On Sunday they continued on to Sandy Bay Hut (another long day) and had a pleasant night beside Lake Waikareiti. While one took the direct route back to Aniwaniwa (via the shelter and the Lake Waikareiti Track) the remaining 3 walked out via the Ruapani Track, arriving at Aniwaiwa around 1.30 PM.
Meanwhile the remaining 5 on the trip did day trips around the area, staying at the camping ground for the nights. Day one, after dropping the Manuoha party off, was a trip to the very dry Mokau Tarns. On the Sunday they walked part of the Great Walk, leaving from Onepoto they walked in Bald Knob, which is well on the way to Panekiri Hut, before returning. The tramp on the Monday was a return trip to the shelter at Lake Waikareiti .
Opouahi Working Bee 3 February
Our Wednesday outting in the first week of February was a working bee at the Opouahi Kiwi Creche. Here 12 of us cleared the vegetation away from the pest proof fence and along the stream from the fence to the bridge. After this we were able to join Kahori who had collected the 5 month old Kiwi, Makahu F, and watched her do the health check.
JANUARY 2021
Yeomans Track 30 January
A carload of us walked Yeoman’s Track on the last Saturday in January. It was a perfect day for tramping and the Makaroro River was low and easy to cross. We started walking around 9 and reached Ellis Hut for lunch. After lunch we retraced our steps and enjoyed the birdlife on the way arriving back at the car around 3 PM.
Mangakuri Beach to Pourerere Beach 17 January
This was a good fine day, excellent for a beach trip. With low tide around 3.30 it was a late, 10 AM start from town. There is quite a lot of rock hopping on this stretch of coast line and the through trip took the expected 6 hours.
Ohara Stream 10 January
The first trip for 2021 and the first trip in our new van was to the Ohara Stream in the Mangleton area. Here we spent a couple of hours walking up the small, but scenic stream, to have lunch just below the gorge. After lunch we returned downstream and quite a few had a swim in the pool near the picnic area.
DECEMBER 2020
Mohi Bush 20 December
A few photos from our pre-Christmas trip to Mohi Bush. Twenty four of us, including 4 youngsters (children/grandchildren) made the circuit and had a picnic lunch before returning to town.
Gold Creek 6 December
Here are some photos from our tramp early December. Thirteen of us travelled to Halls Farm and ascended Gold Creek Ridge in perfect weather. Eleven went down to the hut, 8 returned back up to the ridge while 3 proceeded down Gold Creek. There were no major obstacles in the creek and the creek party had just arrived back at the truck when the last of the others returned at about 3.15.
NOVEMBER 2020
Ballard and Middle Hill Huts 21-22 November
On this weekend a group of 7 headed in to the northern Kaweka Range to the Middle Hill carpark. From here they all tramped up past Middle Hill Hut and up towards Whetu. Three turned back to stay the night at Middle Hill hut while the remaining 4 carried on over Whetu and down to Ballards for the night. On Sunday the Ballard people came out via Makino Hut while the Middle Hill crew travelled to the end of the road and walked part way to Te Puia Lodge.
Cairn Trip – Kaweka J 8 November
Our annual Cairn Trip as usual, was held on a Sunday close to Armistice Day. There were 13 of us who braved the not so flash weather forecast. While it wasn’t wet, there was a cold wind on the tops so immediately after the service we found shelter off the tops for a rest before returning to Makahu Saddle and then on to Pam’s for the post Cairn feast. The newly rebuilt cairn looks like it lasted the Winter with no problems.
