Monday Feb 28th 21.5 kms 6 hours
Another drive up the winding Mangahao Rd from Shannon to the other side of the hill near the Tokomaru No 3 Reservoir. Signs advising of logging trucks fortunately did not result in any appearing.
So, off around to the other side of the reservoir, and then onto the track itself - a well formed track with easy gradients, that wound its way up through what was initially very dark bush (a cloudy morning). Such a good track in fact that in less than 2 hours from the track sign I reached the Horowhenua Lookout - on paper supposed to be a 3-4 hr walk.
Anyway, views out across the district with Shannon, Foxton, Foxton Beach, and the Manawatu River able to be identified via binoculars. Soon after there was a different view along the length of the Makahika Valley, which is where the track was to take me - down, down and more down, before arriving alongside the little Makahika Stream, which the track them crossed and recrossed many times, following the path of an old bush tramway for a long way. Following that, through open scrub and farmland, out onto the end of Gladstone Rd.
A few kms walk down the road, then up to the end of Poads Rd, from where the Tararua Tops section of Te Araroa starts. This is a short drive from Levin.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Burtons Track
Sunday 21st Feb 16.6 kms 5.5 hours
This track is closed (actually road access is difficult, not so much the track) during the week, so being Sunday (with the shingle trucks not working either) we thought we were safe - until we reached the the start of the climb up Scotts Rd to find the road blocked off waiting for a logging truck to come down - and 3 empty ones pulled up behind us soon after. They were working an unscheduled day because of an urgent need for more logs down in Lyttelton, the centre of the recent Christchurch earthquake. But problem solved with cadging a ride up the road with one of the trucks, so Hazel did not have to dodge the trucks on what is only a one way road where logging trucks are concerned.
So to the start of the day's walk - on closer inspection of the map and GPS a bit short of the expected spot, but like all tracks through forestry areas, the reality and the maps / instructions can soon differ. Anyway, off up along forestry roads, soon in a different direction from the current logging operations up a minor old forestry road to a high point with a brief view out across the plains towards the sea. Then onto a real tramping track at last (the official start of Burtons Track) that went downwards towards the Tokomaru Stream. Time for wet feet from stream crossings for the first time since being in the Tongariro Forest a couple of weeks ago. Then I followed the tramping track and old vehicle tracks upstream, past the old Burtons whare site, until arriving at the pickup point for the day. Satellite phone calls to confirm the pickup time, and then time to relax waiting for Hazel in our white van. So I was a bit dismayed when a white van arrived at the right time and sped by, but fortunately that was not Hazel, who turned up 10 minutes later !
This track is closed (actually road access is difficult, not so much the track) during the week, so being Sunday (with the shingle trucks not working either) we thought we were safe - until we reached the the start of the climb up Scotts Rd to find the road blocked off waiting for a logging truck to come down - and 3 empty ones pulled up behind us soon after. They were working an unscheduled day because of an urgent need for more logs down in Lyttelton, the centre of the recent Christchurch earthquake. But problem solved with cadging a ride up the road with one of the trucks, so Hazel did not have to dodge the trucks on what is only a one way road where logging trucks are concerned.
So to the start of the day's walk - on closer inspection of the map and GPS a bit short of the expected spot, but like all tracks through forestry areas, the reality and the maps / instructions can soon differ. Anyway, off up along forestry roads, soon in a different direction from the current logging operations up a minor old forestry road to a high point with a brief view out across the plains towards the sea. Then onto a real tramping track at last (the official start of Burtons Track) that went downwards towards the Tokomaru Stream. Time for wet feet from stream crossings for the first time since being in the Tongariro Forest a couple of weeks ago. Then I followed the tramping track and old vehicle tracks upstream, past the old Burtons whare site, until arriving at the pickup point for the day. Satellite phone calls to confirm the pickup time, and then time to relax waiting for Hazel in our white van. So I was a bit dismayed when a white van arrived at the right time and sped by, but fortunately that was not Hazel, who turned up 10 minutes later !
Palmerston North to Burtons Track
Saturday 26th Feb 25.4 kms 5.5 hours
Crossing the Manawatu River I soon joined the Turitea Walkway that passes close to the Massey Campus, and then heads away from the city. The instructions always looked confusing, but I had no need for concern as the path was well marked with Te Araroa signs.
After a while this joined a minor road as it took me towards the hills, from where I was on an old track now used only for cycling and walking. More minor roads took me into the pleasant little Kahuterawa valley, which I then followed upstream to the end of the road, and the start of the next walking / cycling track - Back Track, which used to be a minor road, but now just wanders up through the bush onto a road providing access for logging trucks. From there not too far to my pickup point for the day.
Now into serious logging country, but being a Saturday we expected nothing, but they were putting more shingle on the narrow and winding Scotts Rd, so Hazel had to cope with dodging the shingle trucks. Fortunately on the way down our timing was great, and we avoided them.
Crossing the Manawatu River I soon joined the Turitea Walkway that passes close to the Massey Campus, and then heads away from the city. The instructions always looked confusing, but I had no need for concern as the path was well marked with Te Araroa signs.
After a while this joined a minor road as it took me towards the hills, from where I was on an old track now used only for cycling and walking. More minor roads took me into the pleasant little Kahuterawa valley, which I then followed upstream to the end of the road, and the start of the next walking / cycling track - Back Track, which used to be a minor road, but now just wanders up through the bush onto a road providing access for logging trucks. From there not too far to my pickup point for the day.
Now into serious logging country, but being a Saturday we expected nothing, but they were putting more shingle on the narrow and winding Scotts Rd, so Hazel had to cope with dodging the shingle trucks. Fortunately on the way down our timing was great, and we avoided them.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Rangitikei to Manawatu
Friday 25th Feb 44.6 km 8 hrs 40 mins
Leaving Bulls I crossed the Rangitikei River, waited patiently to cross a very busy SH3 then headed further inland. First searching out the summer route, but giving up after 40 minutes once I realised it was going to take more time than I was prepared to spend.
So then across country via quiet country roads to Feilding for an early lunch, and a walk past lots of sheep trucks - it must be sale day. From there on down alongside the Main Trunk Line to Bunnythorpe, and then to the eastern outskirts of Palmerston North.
Heading south, with another tricky crossing of a busy SH3, the trail took me to the banks of the Manawatu River. From there a pleasant walk beside the river to the day's pickup point - Fitzherbert Bridge
Leaving Bulls I crossed the Rangitikei River, waited patiently to cross a very busy SH3 then headed further inland. First searching out the summer route, but giving up after 40 minutes once I realised it was going to take more time than I was prepared to spend.
So then across country via quiet country roads to Feilding for an early lunch, and a walk past lots of sheep trucks - it must be sale day. From there on down alongside the Main Trunk Line to Bunnythorpe, and then to the eastern outskirts of Palmerston North.
Heading south, with another tricky crossing of a busy SH3, the trail took me to the banks of the Manawatu River. From there a pleasant walk beside the river to the day's pickup point - Fitzherbert Bridge
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Fordell - Turakina - Santoft - Bulls
Thursday 24th Feb 50.4 kms 9 hours
From Fordell a road walk of 5 kms took me to SH3, and then a trial by traffic through Whangaehu to Turakina, where I turned off on a quiet road for Turakina / Kotiata Beach.
My first west coast beach on Te Araroa since 90 Mile beach in Nov 2009 - 8.5 kms before heading through the sandhills and into the Santoft forest, for a shady walk through the tall pine trees.
This led straight onto another quiet country road, which eventually arrived at the Bulls township
From Fordell a road walk of 5 kms took me to SH3, and then a trial by traffic through Whangaehu to Turakina, where I turned off on a quiet road for Turakina / Kotiata Beach.
My first west coast beach on Te Araroa since 90 Mile beach in Nov 2009 - 8.5 kms before heading through the sandhills and into the Santoft forest, for a shady walk through the tall pine trees.
This led straight onto another quiet country road, which eventually arrived at the Bulls township
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wanganui River to Fordell
Wednesday 23rd Feb 49.5 km 9 hours
Dropped back up the River Road 3 kms south of Koriniti, then a lovely morning walking past the settlements of Atene and Parikino, then up the final hill for a welcome lunchstop looking back up the Whanganui River. Then on down towards Wanganui, but taking the north eastern bypass and heading off towards the small township of Fordell. Heading east now for a couple of days to correct the westward drift of Te Araroa at this point. But really happy with the Whanganui River flavour of the last 9 days - first upstream fronm Taumarunui through the Tongariro Forest, and then downstream from Whakahoro onwards
Dropped back up the River Road 3 kms south of Koriniti, then a lovely morning walking past the settlements of Atene and Parikino, then up the final hill for a welcome lunchstop looking back up the Whanganui River. Then on down towards Wanganui, but taking the north eastern bypass and heading off towards the small township of Fordell. Heading east now for a couple of days to correct the westward drift of Te Araroa at this point. But really happy with the Whanganui River flavour of the last 9 days - first upstream fronm Taumarunui through the Tongariro Forest, and then downstream from Whakahoro onwards
Whanganui River Road part 1
Tuesday 22nd Feb 6 hrs 35.5 kms
A leisurely start to the day with breakfast at the Bridge To Nowhere Lodge, and then a jetboat ride down to Pipiriki. If I do kayak the river at some point, that will be as a part of a group trip, rather than as a solo Te Araroa journey. So walking started around 10.30, down the road from Pipiriki towards Wanganui. Past historic settlements of Jerusalem, Ramana, Mahariki and Koriniti, with news on the way of the devastating earthquake in Christchucrh, to put things in perspective. The River Road is a lovely walk on any day, but welcome to meet up with Hazel at the end of the afternoon for a ride back into Wanganui for the night
A leisurely start to the day with breakfast at the Bridge To Nowhere Lodge, and then a jetboat ride down to Pipiriki. If I do kayak the river at some point, that will be as a part of a group trip, rather than as a solo Te Araroa journey. So walking started around 10.30, down the road from Pipiriki towards Wanganui. Past historic settlements of Jerusalem, Ramana, Mahariki and Koriniti, with news on the way of the devastating earthquake in Christchucrh, to put things in perspective. The River Road is a lovely walk on any day, but welcome to meet up with Hazel at the end of the afternoon for a ride back into Wanganui for the night
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