Ahuriri Valley to Timaru Creek

Monday, 14th January 2013   9.25 hrs  30 kms

A well marked trail leaves the Birchwood Rd in the Ahuriri valley, and after not too long joined a farm track up the Avon Burn.  Not long after a farm hut is reached, the 4WD road leaves the farm, but continues to be in good condition as it climbs steadily to reach a high saddle near Mt Martha.

At close to 1700m that meant a 1000m climb from the road. Scree covered mountains all around (picture looking over the other side into the headwaters of the Timaru Creek). A real feeling of being very close to the top of this part of the world.

The 4WD track continues on down into the valley, but once past the high scree slopes, it is now just a rough walking track. Reached the Top Timaru Creek hut after 6hrs, and then continued on down the valley.

Soon the track enters the beech forest, and is well marked, but with lots of valley sidling (some high), and up and down, and river crossings from time to time to avoid bluffs.

After a few hours I came to a moss padded campsite for the night.