Recent Trip Reports

 Round the Mountain Track Maintenance: 24 Oct 2025. Leaders DOC & Barry Francis, scribe, John Mellsop
After being cancelled earlier in October because the weather was so bad the working bee to re-bench the round-the-mountain track from Windy corner carpark down to the stream finally happened on 24 October and the weather was good.
The team of two Ōhakune based DOC workers, Barry Francis, John Mellsop, Johnny Channon, Viv Dawson and Graeme Beaven worked to make the track down from Windy Corner more stable and safer.
Thanks to Barry and DOC for organising this important work.

 Raetihi Trails: Sat 25 Oct. Leaders Peter McDowell and Peter Panton/ scribe Peter McDowall
This combined Whanganui and Taumarunui Tramping Clubs trip brought together five participants from each club. We enjoyed a relaxed pace, calm fine weather, good conversation and plenty of variety, with two walks that were new to most of us.
The first was the Te Hāngaruru Track, a 6 km one-way walk from the Horopito end, using a van shuttle to avoid a 3 km road section. The track surface was excellent but generally uninspiring with scrubby trackside vegetation. The highlight was a short diversion into mature podocarp–beech forest to cross the Mangaturuturu River. From the substantial swingbridge we witnessed a dramatic cliff slip crashing onto the riverbed, a reminder that track subsidence may be imminent. Lunch was enjoyed at a picnic table beside the Makotuku River Trail in Raetihi.
The second walk was the Puketawa Track, a superb 5.6 km circuit on private land, climbing 220 m through lush bush to a flat, open top. Views ranged from sheep-dotted paddocks to sweeping panoramas over Raetihi, Ōhakune, and the surrounding hills and mountains. Beautiful bush, thoughtful track features and rare wildlife sightings — including a falcon feeding a chick and a stoat — made this a first-class experience.

Tokomaru East: Sat 1 Nov 2025. Leader Rozy Rawlinson/Scribe Sally Gray
Perfect weather set the scene for this tramp which began with a long downhill on a farm track. After a short, gentle climb along the paper road we headed up a steep spur to the ridge where the track undulated through regenerating bush. Along the way we caught occasional glimpses of Ruapehu Maunga.
We passed the site of an old homestead and tried to imagine how access to the house once worked, though no clear route was visible. The only signs of past farming were a few totara fence posts still standing and some open grassy patches where we spotted plenty of goats. A very steep descent led us to the DOC boundary where we enjoyed lunch in the sun.
The return loop along the paper road was extremely muddy in places.

Awapikopiko/Manawatu Gorge: Wed 29 October 2025. Co-leader/scribe Dave Scoullar

This was a day of two halves, both tramping-wise and weather-wise. Our first destination was a new one for the group: Awapikopiko Reserve at Kumeroa, about 17 km from Woodville. The 28ha reserve contains fine tawa forest with impressive stands of northern rātā, rimu, mataī, kahikatea and hīnau. We completed the two loop tracks in two hours, negotiating many steep and slippery sections.

From there we moved on to the Manawatū Gorge Track, starting from the lateral track on the Woodville side of the old highway and heading towards Ashhurst. Seven of the party walked the full length of the track while the remaining four returned to relocate the van.

It was interesting to see the newly developed entrance at the Ashhurst end. The former road walk and gully climb have been replaced by a purpose-built track and a shiny new bridge. In total we covered 14.5 km in six hours.

As for the weather, it was volatile and changeable —sheeting down several times as the van approached Awapikopiko and the Gorge but behaving when we were in the bush. Can’t ask much more than that!

Mt Thompson: 2 Nov 2025. Leader John Mellsop, scribe Viv Dawson
Ten WTC members and three from HVTC set out to climb Mt Thompson in the Western Tararuas. After a short walk along an old logging road we were soon climbing a steep clay bank which thankfully did not presage what lay ahead. We crossed the river, dousing our boots, and made steady progress toward the 709 m summit through bush and a few grassy clearings. Morning tea was enjoyed lolling in the grass and lunch consumed at the top.
On the return we followed the forestry road until an alternative down a dubious slip tempted us toward a mapped track. The slip was easy enough and we soon found ourselves on a fair dinkum tramper’s track through regenerating native bush and pine. One more stream crossing brought us back to the main quickly flowing river. A final steep grassy climb returned us to the logging road and the van. We all made it with no mishaps.
A great day out.

Middle Road Reserve — Saturday 8 November 2025 Leader/Scribe: Dave Scoullar

Twelve members of the WTC met one member of the TTC, Peter Panton, at this DOC reserve near Horopito on a bluebird day with Ruapehu looking its finest. Our circular walk of around four hours took us along an old road with a few boggy sections, past the remains of a former farm and through regenerating bush following the line of an overgrown mountain bike track. The route was not particularly difficult or taxing; the main challenge was remembering to turn left at every junction. Helpful pink ribbons placed during an earlier visit marked the key turn-offs.

As we finished earlier than expected we decided to add the Mokotuku Walkway in Raētihi on the journey home.

Unbeknown to us at the time this was the same afternoon the major Tongariro National Park fire began not far from where we had been walking, though we were completely unaware of the unfolding drama.

Taumarunui Weekend: Sat-Sun 6-7 December 2025. Co-leader/scribe Dave Scoullar

A full team of twelve joined the 15th annual Taumarunui weekend hosted by TTC and it was a terrific occasion. On day one we split into two groups: the “hards” climbed Hikurangi (713m) while the “easies” walked to Manunui along the extended Whanganui Riverbank walkway. In hot, still conditions the climbers took plenty of breaks but reached the summit for lunch. By the time they arrived at our riverside accommodation, Hikumutu Lodge on the outskirts of town, the “easies” were already in residence. The lodge proved an excellent venue with plenty of space and good facilities.

That evening’s BBQ marked TTC’s 50th anniversary and WTC presented TTC with a plaque to mark its landmark birthday. Peter Panton’s 80th birthday was also celebrated.

On day two, local guide Cherie led a three-and-a-half-hour farm walk around the farm beside the lodge, including Tapui Reserve with its magnificent kahikatea and totara. She even treated us to a yodel from a high spot overlooking the river.

We’ve already pencilled in the first weekend of December 2026, with the consensus being that we should arrive Friday to maximise our time in Taumarunui.

 Kaimanawa Loop: 14 Dec 2025. Leader/scribe Rozy Rawlinson
“Have you read the DOC sign?” quipped Mike as we set off for our hike from the Umukarikari car park. “8.5–10 hours,” it read and my heart skipped a beat. “We’ll be fine,” I said, hoping that the 7–8 hours others had posted was correct.
Tyre tracks on the steep forest track led us to a large group of intrepid mountain bikers heading up to the peaks, some complaining bitterly! It was a stunning day and we were rewarded with sweeping panoramic views of mountains and lakes once on the alpine tops.
John G and Laurel were returning after summiting Umukarikari to do the short shuttle to Urchin car park, while Brigitte, Mark, Mike and I took the unknown ridge track from Sharp Cone to Urchin trig, high above the Waipakihi River. A long, hard trek completed in under eight hours and rated (by me) as one of the more varied and spectacular of any club tramp.
And to end the 14-hour day away—we had food trucks blocking our garage access. Phew!

Mangaturuturu Hut: Wed 31 Dec 2025. Leader/scribe, Bruce Thomas
The forecast promised a bit of everything, and we got it — all except snow. Windy Point lived up to its name, though the gusts eased as we dropped down the hillside. The much-talked-about improvements to the first part of the track were barely noticeable with more DOC work apparently planned. Stream levels were manageable initially but wet rocks near the cascades led us to take the left-hand route, leaving one stream crossing at the bottom.
The main aim of the trip was a hut clean-up and everyone pitched in while rain fell outside. After lunch we headed back in worsening wind and rain, taking the bush route. By then the streams had risen enough that we needed to link up to cross them safely.
The remainder of the trip was uneventful apart from the weather. After changing in the van and looking back down over Ohakune it looked like a fine day — you can’t win.
Those out for the adventure were John Mellsop, Brigitte, Kathy, Bruce and Shane Wilson.

Trains Hut: Thur-Sat 8–10 Jan 2026. Co-leader/Scribe: Dave Scoullar

On trip: Terry Kennedy and Dave Scoullar (co-leaders), Denise Gordon, Tracey Collins, Garry McElwain, Jill Burton and Sally Gray.

Day 1: The “Magnificent Seven” walked to Trains Hut in 6¾ hours (standard time five hours) in hot conditions. There was plenty of activity along the road to Kapara Station and beyond — 4WDs, motorbikes, a hunter on a bike, an e-bike rider and a group of teenage boys — so we wondered who might beat us to the six-bunk hut. We were pleased to find it empty. Some headed to the Waitōtara River for a swim, reporting it cold but refreshing. One person slept in a tent and three on the large deck under a bright moon on a clear night.

Day 2: Another sunny, hot day. Although planned as a rest day, we returned to view the impressive Terereohaupa Falls more closely then crossed the swing bridge and climbed the ridge towards Tahupo Hut for about an hour. On the ridge we met a man with his two children and a dog heading to Trains Hut. The afternoon was spent exploring, swimming and relaxing by the river. A hotly contested quiz in the evening was won by the all-women Queens over the A Team.

Day 3: We departed at 7 am, enjoying the cool start to another fine and eventually hot day. Progress was steady and we were surprised to meet no one, reaching the van in 5½ hours.

This was the club’s first dedicated trip to Trains Hut for several years. With an excellent track and a pleasant hut location, there is strong interest in returning — possibly extending the trip through to Tahupō Hut.