3101 A Colenso Hut

Early Weekend 26th - 29th January 2024

FMC announced that access to the north-western Ruahine Ranges thru Mokai Station has been re-instated from 24^th December 2022. Great news for those Clubs such as ours and save the long journey to the Hawkes Bay for access. I believe the last time our Club used the Mokai access was in 1989.

Thursday 25: Travel to Taihape and stay at either Gretna hotel of backpackers,

Drive Hamilton to Taihape (4hrs). Stay either at Gretna Hotel or Backpackers in Taihape.

Friday 26: Mokai Road End to Otukota Hut. Drive to Mokai Road End (40min). Walk – Ascend thru Mokai Station to the Mokai-Patea Range tops, follow the tops south for a short way before descending to Otukota Hut (6 beds) (allow around 5hrs). The last 30/45min is very steep. Excellent views along the tops if the weather is kind. We must, follow the designated / agreed poled route thru Mokai Station.

Saturday 27:  Otukota Hut to Colenso Hut. Walk to Colenso Hut (8 beds) via Puketaramea (1338m) and Unknown Campsite (7-9hrs). Depending on the track condition, this will be a long day. Hopefully time will allow us to visit Colenso Lake, or we can visit next morning on way out. Not found any current information on this section so today will be “winging it”.

Sunday 28: Colenso Hut to Iron Bark Hu. Walk from Colenso Hut to Iron Bark Hut (6 beds) (4-5hrs). A short day after yesterday's long day. Tomorrow will be another long day.

Monday 29: Iron Bark Hut to Mokai Road End. Walk out to the Mokai Road End carpark. Unfortunately, we cannot use a 'short-cut' from Iron Bark Hut straight up and over the Tops as there is no agreement with Mokai Station.

From Iron Bark Hut, there are new track changes to Otukota Hut which is much shorter (and quicker) than the old track which still shows on the Topo maps. It will still be a long day back out to the carpark.

This trip will be a fit trip but aimed at a “slower fit trip”. One needs to be fit as there will be a lot of steep ascending and descending and some stream crossing (hopefully low level). A few days could well be longer days than we normally do. Times are based on what I can find from DoC websites or track times on Notice Board at Mokai Carpark – we may take a bit less time. A lot will depend on the group dynamics and the weather. As the Huts only have 6 to 8 beds, it is highly recommended that we take tents.

Leader:	Les Warren	Phone:	027 8644937
Grade:	Fit but slower	Email:	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Transport:	as above
Hut cost:

Click here for online map