This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 87, no 6, July 2015
Norbett Stream Track - Old Phillips Creek Shelter - Bump 592 EM
Sunday 7 June 2015
From the Norbett Stream car park on a gorgeous fine day, the party was eager to warm up on the first clamber of the Norbett Stream Track1 to the high bench, where further along a pause was made to view the Dave Peebles and Bev memorial stones. At the crossing of the side stream before the main climb the decision was quickly made not to pursue the route to Warren's Saddle, knowing how much thrashing through wet kiekie would be required. Instead a leisurely amble with more pauses, mostly to admire wet fungi glistening in the sun, took us to the access catchment road for morning tea.
At the end of the road descent a quick observation of the peaceful Eastern Hutt River, swing bridge, Phillips Stream confluence and forest giants was made before lunch and then we took the short track to the crossing of the first branch of Phillips Steam. A scheduled visit to the old Phillips Stream shelter revealed it to be totally collapsed, as it may have been for some time. Following the old route up the spur to bump 592 was straightforward, on open ground under the mostly kamahi canopy. Two pig hunting dogs were rather surprised to see two little city dogs on their territory and their owners hoped our party of 8 women wouldn't get lost.
In the vicinity of 592, the bush is a tangle in places, but so many bits of routes exist that it's only a matter of finding where to get through easily, with the open flax-studded spots pleasant in the sun. Before long the gorse and toetoe appeared, indicating the proximity of the road, and a short slither down the clay bank had us this time enjoying afternoon tea. The return down Norbett Stream Track presented fresh wintry vistas west before the end of a good short trip for a lovely short winter's day.
1 WRC website and signage use the name Norbett(s) whereas Norbert is used on the topo50 map BP33. Neither name appears in the Gazetteer of New Zealand Place Names. Ed
- Party members
- Muriel Christianson, Hera Cook, Michele Dickson (scribe), Joanne Gapes, Christine Leighs, Helen Quinlan, Alison Stephenson, Lyn Taylor. Dogs: Winston and Twyla.