Days 6 and 7
The weather warning ended at 7am, and it was time to get on the trail. But first a coffee on the way through town. As I started I was not sure where I would be at the end of the day, either on top of a mountain or in a small valley township. I decided to make the decision on trail and based on conditions at the time.
The first 5 kms are along State Highway 1, which would normally be quite busy. But 20 kms away the highway is closed and traffic has to bypass the damage. This short section has very little traffic as a consequence. The trail notes have dire warnings, but the Highway had a reasonable shoulder to walk on.
With the Highway behind me it was gravel roads through farming land. It was enjoyable walking and the good walking surface allowed me to walk with head up and take in the scenery. It rained pretty much all day, mainly on and off with the occasional heavy downpour. A trail fairy stopped and offered me shelter from the rain, but I declined the offer.
I really wanted to go to Reatea Summit which is on the normal route, but this is not an easy decision. Several weeks back a walker slipped on this section and was rescued with a helicopter. The recent heavy rains will have made this section even more muddy. It is still raining. I am by myself. Most importantly the weather forecast is not great, with more heavy rain expected. And I can always come back and do this section years from now.
Officially DOC (Department of Conservation) has not closed the Reatea Summit track section, but the Te Araroa Trust is currently recommending the bypass for walker safety reasons. Once at the fork, I needed a moment to confirm my decision, and after several minutes of pondering, I turned right and headed down along the bypass route. The bypass is also very scenic and I was still able to experience the Reatea Forest.
The trail notes mention an obstacle on the bypass, a river to cross which will likely be swollen. Just before the river I caught up with Ruth and Elliot, and we waded across looking out for each other. The river was about mid thigh deep and ultimately proved to be no significant challenge. With the crossing behind us, it was not long before the three of us made camp at the local rugby grounds. The rain had gotten worse, so we pitched our tents under the shelter of the clubhouse. This turned out to be be an inspired move, as it poured with rain during the night. No other walkers arrived that night, but two very wet cyclists did.
The next day I wanted to make Mangamuka Bridge for lunch and the much acclaimed Burger. It was 21 kms of road walking, but hardly any traffic, again because the State Highway is closed elsewhere. The burger was great. Ruth and Elliot hitched, and we shared a lunch together. The scenery was very nice, mainly farmland with patches of native bush. The sun was out.
Over lunch plans changed. In the morning we decided to head to Louie’s stream wilderness camp, which would position us well for the Puketi Forest wet weather bypass. Given the good morning weather I let Ruth and Elliot know that I planned to camp at Blackbridge Road shelter, which is a better option if Puketi Forest gorge is passable. But also ok if we have to take the wet weather bypass. They liked the logic and decided the same.
Time to return to the smaller roads and to the western edge of Puketī Forest. There are limited camping spots in the forest because of the concern of Kauri dieback disease being spread. Blackbridge Road shelter is a small piece of flat land, a toilet and a small shelter with table and benches for six. A few kilometres before the shelter is a ford, which will indicate if the track through the Puketī Forest gorge is possible. If the ford is in flood, then the gorge will also be in flood and not possible. As we crossed the ford, the water was swift moving and about 15 to 20 cms deep. Not a great sign for tomorrow. Puketi Forest and the river gorge is one part of the Te Araroa track I have dreamed of walking.
