This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 96, no 3, April 2024
Titi and beyond - no orange triangles
Wednesday 14 February 2024
The northwest portion of the Akatarawa Forest is an area that was heavily logged last century, and visible evidence of that industrial activity is the myriad of remnant tracks – some still used and many overgrown. Some of these tracks are used by trail bikers, some by mountain bikers, and some are untrammelled opportunities for trampers. The tracks frequented by mechanical machines can be used to access navigational opportunities for foot travellers.
Our day began by following the crown of the spur that rises almost due south from the Maungakotukutuku Road entrance to the forest. There was evidence of mountain bike activity on the spur - what the GWRC brochure* labels the '24 Hour' route’, and informally is identified as 'Jan's Track'**. The spur leads south and then southeast to Titi, and the upper section is informally known as 'Allan's Track'**.
From Titi we went SSE along Titi Road (GWRC) about half a kilometre and then descended about 300m down a prominent spur in a SW direction (GWRC: 'Wayne's Track') to Titi Stream. Then it was up a short spur in a SE direction, to connect with a more prominent spur rising in a NW direction (passing .509). At the connecting point we enjoyed lunch, snuggled down out of a cool northerly wind. That prominent spur (GWRC 'Link Track') continues east of north to meet up with Titi Road. At that junction we were exposed to the full briskness of the northerly, and from a vantage point we looked north to see the top of Maunganui (708m), cloud-covered.
Retracing our steps along Titi Road for about half a kilometre took us to a main junction, where we turned north and travelled about a kilometre (by-passing Titi top) to get to the top of the Roller Coaster Track (Burson & GWRC). This track took us back down to our starting point, 7.5 hours earlier.
It was a day adventuring in new territory for all. We experienced off-track bush travel, four wheel drive roads, trail bike tracks, mountain bike tracks, bulldozed remnant tracks. Digital devices, compasses, and bush nous all contributed to successful navigation. And not an orange triangle to be seen!!
- GWRC: 'Akatarawa Forest Motorised Recreation Activities' (2017)
- David Burson (deceased TTC member): personal map (1996)
- Party members
- Tricia French (leader), Bill Allcock (scribe), Colin Cook.