Flat Rock, Tangoio and Esk Hills
Haumoana to Cifton and Mohi Bush
Lawrence Campsite/ Donald River Circuit
Happy Daze Hut from Paget Road
Boundary Stream Kamahi and Tumanako Tracks
Waipatiki Reserves 3 December
On a sunny Wednesday morning 8 of us drove through to Waipatiki beach. The first walk of the day was up to the lookout in the domain to get great views down to the beach. One very slippery bridge saw a member slide off with one small tree halting the descent into the stream below – fortunately there was no major injury.
We returned to the beach for lunch after which we followed the coast line northwards for a short time. There are some quite interesting fossils in the rocks there. It was then a short drive down to the start of the DOC Waipatiki Reserve where we walked the loop track. There were plenty of Kereru to view as well as the immense stands of Nikau to admire
Christine L, Karene F, Anne D, Donna W, Selina C, Keryn D, Glenda H, Peter B
Flat Rock, Tangoio and Esk Hills 17 December
The morning started with a walk north from Tangoio Beach to the Pakarutahi Stream mouth and lagoon.
Most then walked out to Flat Rock. The track is not as good as it once was but is still passable although there was a bit of rock hopping as well. After enjoying the view from Flat Rock we returned and drove to to Eskview Road (off Hill Road in the Esk Hills) and had lunch near the pond beside Pond Track.
After lunch we walked a loop taking in the Weta, Tui and Ocean View tracks on the NE side of the hills. We were impressed with the conservation work that has gone on there. There are a number of other walks in this area so we will be back.
Judith M, Donna W, Selina C, Lou C, Christine L, Peter Mc, Peter B, Glenda H, Susan L
Stanfield Hut. 14 January
Five of us gathered at Glenda’s place and Donna kindly offered to take her vehicle as no driver was available. We drove to the West Tamaki car park, where there were several vehicles, including the Whanganui Tramping Club van. Crossed the stream and entered the picnic area to view the DOC signboard and obligatory loo stop. Across picnic area, over a small waterway, through scrub, then a 100-120 metre climb through bush to Holmes Ridge. Wandered up this old road, looking across the valley to where pines have been planted to stop erosion on three large slips. Came to a large triangle then zigzagged, initially downhill, then sidled, crossing two water courses before dropping into the West Tamaki stream. Wandered upstream for about a kilometre before climbing up to Stanfield Hut, where we stopped for lunch – this hut has had work done on it by the Back Country Trust. On our return journey, kept in the stream, winding our way through the willows and tree lupins, easily following the pink tape till we climbed out onto a good track, marked with blue organza ribbon. It was an undulating track out, and only Susan saw the track entrance up to the A Frame hut. It was a great day, with good weather and a great group of HTC members. We arrived back in Havelock North about 5.15pm. Thanks Donna for driving.
Party: Unathi Q; Donna W; Lou C; Christine L and Susan L.
Haumoana to Cifton and Mohi Bush 28 January
Cloud and some drizzle suggested a damp Wednesday walk along the coast. Glenda, Peter, Susan and Anne were dropped at Black Bridge around 7.50am to re revisit the estuary and walk on to where Steve, Selina, Colin, Judith and Donna had left the van in Haumoana so they could move it further along and we could leapfrog up to Clifton.
As we walked the beach the drizzle turned to light rain and the coastline became invisible. At least it was warm. Luckily the weather cleared as we came to Te Awanga. Slowly the outline of the Bay emerged, the sea hardly had a wave – it was rather surreal. After crossing the Maraetotara Stream where it met the beach we walked past a group of tree stumps on the edge of the beach with their roots exposed like long fingers stretching along the shingle.
Regrouping at Clifton we headed to Mohi Bush. A stop at Red Bridge for Coffee and cake was a great way to joke and chat. Around 11am we were on the road again to Mohi Bush. Lunch was had at the covered table area. A light breeze and sunny skies were left behind as we entered the track and walking along with tall trees, Tree Ferns, bright fungi and what was to be our nemesis – Supplejack. Partway along the main track it was decided to try and find the old path. We became aware quite soon this mission was marked for failure so a quick bush bash up the hill following Peter should get us back to the track. What followed was a loud, laughing chorus as we became entangled in the Supplejack. We emerged on the top track a short distance from where we had left it. Mohi Bush never disappoints – peaceful, mystical but enticing.
After leaving the bush, a walk up the fenceline through the grass granted us a view to the sea then back into the bush we walked up the stream bed through the tall trees and emerged to walk the long grass back to the van. Judith had never been to Mohi Bush. A great day ending in sunshine and laughter. Many thanks to Peter and Steve for driving.
Party: Peter B, Glenda H, Susan L, Anne D, Selina C, Steve B, Colin J, Judith R and Donna W
Blowhard Bush and The Lizard 11 February
Four of us left Pukahu in Colin’s car and arrived at Blowhard Bush car park about 9.45am. We set off initially on the Tui track, slowly winding our way up the the lookout point, with views over to Kuripapango and the Kaweka Range. We poked our nose into Lowry Hut before returning on the Rewi Track.
The birdlife was prolific with numerous robins, tuis, bellbirds seen plus a tomtit and two flocks of whiteheads and a keruru. A lot of work has been done since I was last here with new markers and signs.
After the circuit we drove down Lawrence Road to the shelter, where 5-6 four wheel drive vehicles were parked but no sign of anyone. We wandered down and lunched on the shingle river bed, watching a kingfisher hunting for his lunch.
After lunch we drove back up the road and parked opposite the entrance to the Lizard track. We walked past two very smelly deer pelts and started up the track, initially pushing through flax bushes. It is a narrow track, terrain slightly rocky, patches of kanuka before crossing a small waterway and reaching the claypan which has wilding pines encroaching.
While my tramping companions scarpered to the top of the Lizard- I could see them in the distance, I sat down and pondered as I waited for them. Forty minutes later, we all returned to the car and back to Pukahu ( The return journey to the top takes 1- 1.5 hrs.)
Thanks Colin for taking your vehicle.
Party: Peter Mc, Colin J, Janice L and Susan L
Lawrence Campsite/ Donald River Circuit 25 February
On a lovely fine morning at the end of summer 6 of us set off from Pukahu and picked up 2 more at Omahu, then headed up the Taihape Rd. Turning onto Lawrence Rd we had a brief stop at Blowhard Bush, while Peter B poisoned a wasp nest in the gum trees. We had to walk down the last 600 metres of Lawrence Rd, as the road was too steep for the van to climb up on our return. The Tutaekuri River was low and a pleasant temperature to cross. Some makeshift steps have been made up the bank where the suspension bridge used to be. We continued upwards through the Kanuka for about an hour and then enjoyed a break for morning tea.
Passing the track to Lotkow Roadend we headed on towards Mackintosh Hut, pausing at a small clearing for most of us to take turns to photograph the view back towards the Tutaekuri and Donald Rivers. Soon we were beginning the steep descent down to the Donald River. Once on the terrace above the Donald River it was time for a leisurely lunch break. When we were about to set off again there was a pack malfunction with a broken shoulder strap. Repairs were made using the waist belt.
We headed down the Donald River passing tall cliffs and making many crossings along the way, none of which were deep and the water a pleasant temperature. No one had a swim intentionally or otherwise.
We occasionally spotted fossils of shells in the rocks on the banks and edges of the river. A final break was had on the last terrace before making the last river crossing this time the Tutaekuri. We missed the confluence of the Donald and Tutaekuri Rivers while traversing the terrace.
We slowly walked up the road back to the van and changed out of our wet boots and enjoyed some of Peter B’s lovely fruit. A final stop on the way back at Blowhard Bush to look for another wasp nest seen 2 weeks before on the previous Wednesday walk. One was found, but possibly not the one seen before. We enjoyed perfect conditions today, warm but not hot, little wind, and hardly a cloud in the sky.
Thanks to Peter B for driving us there and back despite still recovering from a prolonged cold, as well as dealing to the wasp nests.
Party: Peter B, Glenda H, Judith R, Anne D, Colin J, Selina C, Donna W and Christine L.
Happy Daze Hut 11 March
We had recently learnt that the route to Happy Daze Hut along the Makaretu River was open and on trial until the end of July so a trip there was organised. We left town at 8 AM and travelled to Paget Road via Highway 50 arriving at the bridge over the Makaretu River just before 9.30. There is now an area to park through the gate on the downstream right side of the river. Signage there impressed upon us the need to stick to the orange tipped poled route as the route involves paper road, easements and hydro parcels sandwiched between private properties.
It is definitely a wet feet trip and much of our time was crossing and recrossing the Makaretu Stream. The first third of the walk up had farmland on either side of the river, then there was a narrow riparian strip either side of the stream for awhile. Once the gorge was reached, about half way up, there was pine forest on the true left side and farmland on the true right. The river from here on was very picturesque. The public DOC lands starts about three quarters of the way up on the true left with private land on the true right almost until the hut.
The walk to Happy Daze Hut took just over 2 hours, including a short break about half way up, so it was time for an early lunch. The hut, although somewhat delapidated, is a good example of a 1950s deer culler 4 bunk hut and there is talk of demolishing it an replacing it with a new hut. Some in our party was against this idea and would like to see the hut restored to its former glory.
After lunch most headed down the very pretty track to the south branch of the Makaretu River before returning down stream to the junction with the north branch and back to the van. They met up with the rest just who had returned to the river the way they has come and then walked upstream. All followed the poles out to the van and drove home via Snee Road, SH 2 and the Waipukarau icecream shop.
Party: Donna W, Selina C, Peter Mc, Lou C, Brendan Mc, Judith R, Peter B, Glenda H, Colin J, Juergen G
Boundary Stream Report
Seven of us left Pukahu on a foggy morning, but it had disappeared before we reached Napier where we picked up 3 more people. We headed north to Tūtira, then inland to Boundary Stream Mainland Island up Pohokura Rd. We passed a sign notifying us of a grader and trucks with metal on the road. Fortunately, we didn’t see them until our return to the van after our walk. We set off on the Kamahi Track in an anticlockwise direction passing through mainly Kamahi forest, which was tall and spindly with not a lot of under story. The track descended gradually then more steeply crossing over 2 streams and came to a chasm that then dropped suddenly out of sight to a valley floor well below us.
The strong smell of goats was evident as we l headed towards where the track diverts to Shine Falls. Just in case we were unsure that the track was closed there was heaps of yellow tape wrapped around the trees, although there was space to get under it. We climbed up to where we had a break for morning tea overlooking the Boundary Stream valley. We spotted several not so old looking “walkway” signs along the way.
We climbed more steeply and stopped a few times to catch our breath. The vegetation was more varied on this side with many Rewarewa seedlings and saplings. Bellbirds were heard regularly, and a few North Island Robins seen close by. When we reached the deer exclosure fence the Bellbirds were calling constantly to one another. We stopped here for our lunch break enjoying the sound of Bellbirds all around.
The junction of the Tumanako Track was close to our lunch stop, and here we saw a dramatic change in the vegetation with a much greater variety and lots more understory. There were a few spots around the Tumanako Track with views to Whirinaki Forest Park and Waikaremoana, and farmland further up Pohokura Rd. Looking inside the Weta hotels we saw several cave Weta, a tree Weta and perhaps a dead Weta turned white.
The weather was perfect for a walk in the bush, with a comfortable temperature and not much wind.
Trampers: Christine L, Glenda, Steve, Karene, Judith R, Peter Mc, Juergen, Selina, Lou, and Brendan.