Mt Hope – Kahurangi National Park

Saturday 8 October 2022

A group of fourteen of us departed from the highway at Boulder Creek, just a few kilometres before Kawatiri.

The track into the bush was very visible as it went in through blackberries, over the old railway embankment and into the trees. The track has recently been cleared and re-marked so it was easy to follow. 

For the first hour or so it goes up fairly steeply. Here we heard Kaka in the trees. Soon the track levels out a bit and winds along through the bush until after a couple of hours from the start, it pops out of the bush into scrubby manuka on a flattish granite ridge.The markers were very helpful in getting through this and up the slope towards Mt Hope.

We (strangely) came across the remains of a koura on the track, and as we got further up there were patches of snow from a snowfall a few days ago.

After having walked for about three hours, we crossed a wee stream in a swampy area and ascended on up to Mt Hope arriving at the top to admire the spectacular 360 degree views, while having our lunch. Recent snow covered the mountains enhancing the scenery.

The day was sunny and calm. The descent took about the same time as the ascent.

The return trip is about 11km and it took us 7.25 hours including stops. Not a bad way to spend a sunny day.

Those participating were: Maria (scribe), Rob, Chris, Catherine, Alison, Jeanne, Anna, Robyn, Robert, Jenny, Di, Sue, David S and Edward.