If you have the time and the inclination to join us on this Away trip to the beautiful Pureora Forest, please register promptly. It will require Friday the 7th off work and your swim wear!
Both parties to carry tents: This track forms part of the Te Araroa trail.
Feb 6th We will arrive at the Kakaho DOC campsite at about 12.30 PM, in time for a lunch break. Short party will stay the night at Kakaho campsite, sleeping in bus or tent. After lunch both distance and short parties will tramp to the top of Mt Pureora, (1165m) for extensive views from its sub alpine slopes of the central volcanic plateau and Mt Taranaki. If we have two driver’s short party will tramp up one side and down the other. Short party will return to Kakaho campsite for the night. Distance party will carry on from the summit of Mt Pureora heading South, past Bog inn hut and camp somewhere.
Feb 7th Distance party will carry on to Waihaha hut for the night. Bus will take the short party to the start of the Waihaha track on state highway 32 to tramp up along the clear waters of the Waihaha river with many swimming holes on the way to the hut for the night (3hr,9km). On dusk we will see if we can spot some native Bats/ (Pekapeka)They have both short tail & Long tail variety amongst the high canopy.
Feb 8th Both parties will continue south along the Hauhungaroa track as far as we can (allowing time for a return back to Waihaha hut). Along the Hauhungaroa track we will enter the valley of the Giants – enormous trees of the Waihaha ecological area. A tight canopy of Totara, Rimu, Matai, Miro, and the odd Kahikatea reaching 40 – 50 meters in height. Five of New Zealand’s best- known Podocarp family can be seen here. Then we will all return to Waihaha hut for the night.
Feb 9th Both parties will go down the Waihaha track back to the bus, and if time permits to explore part of the Great Lakes Cycle trail before returning to Takapuna.
**Please note early departure time and location is Como Street not The Stand Takapuna
** For pickups from Greenlane pickup point please register via the site or contact the organiser
Cost: Distance Party $90, Short Party $100
Depart:
- - Thursday 6 Feb, 8am Como Street, Takapuna
- - 8.15am Marewa Road, Greenlane. On road, by where it says NZ Tertiary College - by the pinky tree.
Organiser: Chris Peard 021 277 0270
Driver: Bernhard
Maps:
Short party: Online / GPS / Printable
Distance party: Online / GPS /Printable
Great Lakes Cycle Trail: Printable
To access the printable maps, download the zipped file, and either:
· open the zipped file, then drag the files to a new location OR
· press and hold (or right-click) the zipped file, select Extract All, and then follow the instructions
