Toaroha, Hokitika, Lower Whitcombe Track

Track category

Tramping track
Route

Time:

4 - 5 days. Times shown are a general guide only.

Description

Road-End to Cedar Flat Hut

Time: 3 - 4 hours
Follow the rough farm track and then orange triangular markers across the open flats to the start of the track leading over a low terrace to the Toaroha River. The track initially follows an old logging-tram line and exits onto the river bed then follows the true right for about1 km before regaining the benched formation. On this river bed section watch out for boulders tumbling from the steep gravel faces above. (If the river is running high a sign posted flood track travels high above the gravel faces commencing some distance before the riverbed is reached).

The benched track recommences 200 metres upstream from an unnamed creek then climbs steadily above the Toaroha Canyon. It descends gradually to the lower end of Cedar Flat where a short rock hop and track leads to the Cedar Flat Bridge which is crossed to the Cedar Flat Huts.

There are various small hot springs a short distance up Wren Creek, which enters the Toaroha River on the true right opposite and upstream from the huts. (Cross the lower swingbridge and follow the sign-posted track to reach these). The springs seem to alternate in hottest temperature and best output. The newer of the huts at Cedar Flat contains 12 bunks and is heated by a woodstove.

Cedar Flat to Top Toaroha Hut

Time: 5 - 6 hours
From Cedar Flat Hut follow the short section of track to the upstream swing bridge and cross to the true right. The track continues on the true right bank crossing several large side creeks. Median and Esma Creeks especially can be uncrossable after heavy rain.

From opposite Mullins Creek the track becomes steeper and alternates between climbing and dropping back into side creeks. The route finally descends to the Toaroha riverbed and crosses to the true left. This crossing can quickly become impassable following heavy rainfall.

After boulder-hopping along side the river for a few hundred metres the track moves away from the river and on to a scrubby/tussock terrace. Follow cairns, poles and short sections of track to Top Toaroha Hut which is on a small tussock flat above a small lake.

Top Toaroha Hut contains 6 bunks and is heated by a woodstove.

Top Toaroha Hut to Toaroha Saddle Bivouac

Time: 2 - 3 hours
From the hut, poles mark the route across the boggy flats to Bannatyne Creek. Follow the track on the true left of this creek. Cross Bannatyne Creek to a major side creek coming in from the true right of Bannatyne Creek and travel up this creek to a tussock face. Take care - the side creek is steep in places.

Follow the poles across the tussock face before dropping again into Bannatyne Creek. Continue up this creek until you reach cairns/poles at the bottom of a steep tussock/scrub gut on the true left. Climb this gut and follow the poles to the Toaroha Saddle Bivouac. Toaroha Saddle Bivouac serves as a shelter but can also sleep 2 people.

Toaroha Saddle Bivouac to Poet Hut

Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
From the Bivouac follow the poles down to the scrub line where a well marked track drops steeply down the ridge to the Mungo River. Just above the Mungo River the track travels downstream on the true right to Poet Hut. If you intend to stay at Poet Hut do not cross the swing bridge you pass on the way. Poet Hut contains 4 bunks and is heated by an open fire.

The route does not go over the true Toaroha Saddle but passes over a low saddle to the west.

Poet Hut to Bluff Hut

Time: 3 - 4 hours
Travel to Bluff Swing Bridge is a mix of riverbed and track until Poet Creek is reached. Here the track climbs steeply to sidle a steep face high above a gorge in the river before dropping down to the swing bridge. Cross the swing bridge and pick up the track again which climbs steeply to the scrub/tussock bench high above the Hokitika River.

Bluff Hut has been relocated to a position just a few minutes along the track from its original precarious perch. Bluff Hut sleeps 6 people and is heated by a woodstove.

Bluff Hut to Frew Saddle Biv

Time: 2 - 3 hours
From Bluff Hut follow the track upstream initially through scrub then tussock Poles mark a route over a large tussock knob before dropping down to follow the Hokitika River. Follow the poles and the riverbed until more or less directly below Frew Saddle. The route from the riverbed to Frew Saddle is poled. A short but steep climb leads to the top and Frew Saddle Bivouac, which is located on the Whitcombe River side some 100 metres down from saddle.

Take care on the climb to the saddle if the tussock is wet or snow-covered. Frew Saddle Bivouac although generally used as a shelter, can also sleep 2 people.

Frew Saddle Bivouac to Frew Hut

Time: 4 - 5 hours
From the Bivouac follow the poles to Frew Creek. Travel is generally via the creek bed with some sections of track on the true left. The last and longest section of track leads over a high point and drops back into the creek which is then crossed to the true right.

From here the track leaves the creek and follows along a bush spur to Frew Hut which is located a short distance above the Whitcombe River near the mouth of Frew Creek. Frew Hut sleeps 10 people on two platforms and is heated by a woodstove.

Frew Hut to Rapid Creek Hut.

Time: 3 - 4 hours
From Frew Hut the true right bank of the Whitcombe is followed to the Collier gorge Swingbridge. There is only one section of track to follow, the remainder being boulder hopping close to the river.

Cross Collier Gorge swingbridge and follow the track on the true left. Through Collier Gorge the route alternates between scrambling around and over huge boulders near the river and following short sections of track cut around the more difficult parts.

Rapid Creek is reached after crossing a forested low terrace and boulder hopping for a further 2-300 metres. Once across Rapid Creek a further 300-400 metres of boulder hopping takes you to a short section of track which leads to Rapid Creek Hut. Rapid Creek Hut contains 4 bunks and is heated by a woodstove.

Rapid Creek Hut to Road End

Time: 2 - 3 hours
From the hut follow the 300-400 metres of track to the cableway across the Hokitika River. Cross this and follow the benched track, dropping to the Hokitika riverbed some 600 metres from the road end. From the road end there is approximately 5 km of rough farm road to follow before the Hokitika Gorge Road is reached. From Hokitika Gorge Road it is about 30 km to Hokitika.

Getting there

Turn off the Kokatahi/Lake Kaniere circuit road at the sign post "Access to Toaroha Valley", cross the bridge over the Kokatahi River and follow the road as far as your vehicle will allow. Farm gates should be left as they are found.

Permission to cross the farmland must be obtained from the leaseholder, Terry Sheridan, telephone +64 3 755 7967.

Alternatively access can be gained from the Whitcombe Valley Road (Hokitika Gorge Road) and the route walked in the reverse order to that described below.

Plan and prepare

Topomap: NZTopo50-BV19 Lake Kaniere and NZTopo50-BV18 Kokatahi

Experience: Suitable for fit, well equipped and experienced backcountry trampers only.

Best season: Summer and autumn; snow/ice on alpine sections during winter.

Throughout winter and into late spring the alpine areas will have a cover of snow. In this event it is recommended that each member of your party carries an ice-axe and crampons and is familiar with their use.

Hazards: Flooded rivers and side streams; ice and snow during winter.

Safety: Safety is your responsibility. Call at the Department of Conservation Office for the latest track conditions and to purchase your hut tickets prior to starting the trip.

Information in this guide is an indicator of conditions only. Storm damage to routes and re-growth of vegetation will slow progress and allowances must be made for possible delays through bad weather, or track damage.

Huts generally contain no cooking equipment and trampers are advised to travel "self contained". A tent or fly could also be carried.

Note: True left and true right refer to the side of the valley or river when looking downstream.

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