This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 94, no 4, May 2024
Smith Creek circuit SF
Wednesday 10 April 2024
Eleven club members went on a Slow Fit trip on the first Wednesday after the end of daylight saving. Starting from Kiwi Ranch Road end we went up to Puffer Saddle before following the lower half of the Dobson Loop Track.
Before reaching Smith Creek Shelter, we had the all-important morning tea before crossing Smith Creek. We varied our route from the 2020 trace by climbing the spur just past the last stream before the Shelter and then re-joined the original trace.
The climb was steep at first and involved a fair amount of scrabbling before following animal and hunters’ tracks which led steadily upwards. We had lunch on the way up and, happily, the route flattened out somewhat after .714. Pylon Road was a welcome sight and, ten minutes of road walking later, we found the orange triangle and handy rope that mark the route back into the bush and back down to Puffer Saddle. This track is now well cut and clearly marked, making it a very pleasant way to end the day.
The trip was advertised as being for eight fabulous hours which we fulfilled with an added bonus of another ten minutes.
- Party members
- Lynne White (leader and scribe), Karen Baker, John Dement, Gerald Leather, Jenny Mason, David McNabb, Peggy Munn, Tim Stone, Sieny Pollard, Janette Roberts, Mike Wespel-Rose.