New Zealand Walk: Snow Daze Golden Crown Ridge Ruahine Forest Park
The grass was crunchy from a hard frost as a group of 11 from the Heretaunga Tramping Club boarded the truck in Havelock North, for the Golden Crown Ridge Track in the Ruahine Forest Park, Hawkes Bay.
The effects of the frost were evident as all the wineries had sprinklers spraying their vines as we cruised through Maraekakaho. Turning onto Kereru Road,right onto Big Hill Road and then onto Mangleton Road, there was little traffic and good road conditions. The Ruahine Ranges had some snow on the tops but the visibility was good.
The 55 km. journey ended with a 1.5 km bounce across the paddocks and yes, someone had to jump out of the truck to open and close a few gates.
Parking in a paddock with a few very friendly horses, we geared up for the journey. The wind was cold and strong and outer clothing layers were prevalent as we started towards Masters Shelter. The shelter was built in 1977 in memory of Lester Masters, replacing the earlier hut (1952).
Back then the road was 14 kms. away, so the shelter would have been greatly appreciated by hunters and trampers.
We looked at the displays and maps including hut locations on the shelter walls and headed off for the steep, two to three hour climb to the ridge tops.
Despite the gusting winds (measured by Colin,trip leader, at 107 kilometres at the Pohatuhaha Trig, 1368 metres), the route was
well-sheltered most of the way and the sun continued to grace us with its warmth.
Starting out through manuka and kanuka, then up a series of rocky knolls, we trekked upwards on what DOC branded as an “Advanced Tramping Track”. Outer clothing layers were taken off especially during the climb.
Views along the way were worth the effort, however. Some of us were grateful when Graeme eventually asked for a “cuppa” stop according to ‘union regulations’. The beech forest enveloped us later as we continued towards the ridge.
Our lunch break, alongside a stream and protected from the wind, offered the first close-up view of the extensive snow-cover.
Pushing on, the trail now featured ankle-deep snow. Reaching the top of the ridge, eight of us decided to complete the loop through to Sentry Box Hut. The remaining three descended towards the truck. They eventually drove around to pick us up a few kilometres further up Mangleton Road.
The downhill track for most was a gambolling descent through the snow-covered trail before it faded and the brown-dirt trail reappeared for the last stretch to Sentry Box Hut.
It really was two to three hours up and for some only an hour down. For the experienced trampers, it was just another day in the wilderness office. I certainly tottered slowly down the hill but hopefully can still learn new tricks.
Besides it was a great way to immerse yourself in the beauty of Aotearoa and forget about outside issues for awhile.
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