Kaituna Track and Mount Stephens
This is Version 2 of the weekend we had last September, when we had to alter the p rogramme, due to rain and storm.
We leave Nelson Fri day after work (or some cars might leave around lunchtime?), stay 2 nights at Golden Bay Holiday Park in Parapara, right on the beach (north of Onekak a, near Mussle Inn). There are various sizes of cabins plus tent sites (at own cost) https://www.goldenbayholidaypark.co.nz
We could h ave a shared potluck dinner or eat in Takaka on the way up.
Saturday:
Kaituna Track Cr ossover, fit, 8-9 hrs, 21km, marked route, never done by Nelson Tr amping Club, I think.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/pl aces-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/kahurangi-national-park/things-to-do/tracks /kaituna-track/
"The track starts from Bainham near Collingwood and co ntinues right through to Westhaven Inlet on the West Coast (8-9 hours). The route climbs over two ridges before reaching Knuckle Hill.
Beyond th e Kaituna Forks, the track changes to a 'route' and is suitable only for ex perienced and fit trampers. At the forks there is a river crossing which is impassable in flood.
There are northern rātā, pukatea an d rimu, nīkau palms, heketara, wineberry, kāmahi, and māhoe, many species o f fern, orchid, fungi and perching plants, plus a wide range of birds: kere rū, tūī, fantail, tomtit, robin, rifleman, silvereye and bellbird."
If the river crossing is impossible, but the skies are clear, we'l l climb Parapara Peak (1240m) instead, (8-9 hrs, fit),
or (if too cloudy) we'll walk Cape Farewell/Wharariki Beach/Pu ponga Hilltop/Kaihoka lakes loop, (medium) depending on weather.
Bad weather alternatives: Aorere Goldfields loop, Kaituna walk, Pupu Springs.
Either way, I'd suggest dinner at the Mussel Inn afterwards!
Sunday:
Mt Stephens, (1300m), 7hrs, route, 7km one way, return the same way, medium +/fit,
The route up on to Mt Steven s, 1300 m, the highest point in the Wakamarama Range provides wonderful views of the Aorere < span style="left: 500.787px; top: 442.627px; font-size: 15.8333px; font-fam ily: serif; transform: scaleX(0.992316);">Valley, south to Gouland Downs an d the West Coast.
It's 28km from Collingwood
Drive home Sunday evening. (Or stay another night if you dont have to work on Monday)
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