This trip started on the Thursday afternoon with just two of us from the original five after unfortunate incidents and accidents meant the other three could no longer come. James and I were still keen to get out and explore some new country in the Raglan range, so after an afternoon ferry and dinner at Picton we drove to St Arnaud and camped at Kerr Bay, along with the other group heading to Angelus Hut.
On Friday morning we drove up the Leatham Valley Road, parking around three kilometres from the start of the tramp up the Wye Route on the spur between Boulder Stream and Station Creek. There is a ford across Station Creek a couple of kilometres before the track start. In good conditions most 2WDs would be ok to cross but we erred on the side of caution and parked up before the homestead and the ford. As we’d find out, it was probably just as well that we did in light of what happened to the car on our return.
The Wye route is marked on the map but sadly is extremely overgrown with wilding pines. The pines up to Pt 1149 are big and close to impassable. After spending some time looking for the trail (which largely is close to the fenceline) we realised fairly quickly there is no trail and it was a matter of pushing through the pines. After around three hours we reached a large rock at the end of the ridge which marks the descent into Station Creek and the first native bush. It had been raining lightly all morning with no views visible, so it was nice to be in the bush at this stage.
The walk along Station Creek and up to the saddle (not named but unofficially Wye Saddle) was open and fun and easy going. On the other side of the saddle, it was completely different with a bash through tall scratchy scrub with Spaniards to avoid amongst it. The route is clearly marked with poles but overgrown. Following the scratchy scrub was an enjoyable couple of hours through kanuka and beech forest along the Wye River to Hidden Hut which was our destination for the night. We reached the hut at 4pm, very happy to be in the dry. It had drizzled all day and the large supply of dry wood at the hut was much appreciated to dry out our clothes.
The plan for Day 2, Saturday, was an up and down trip to bag Turkey’s Nest Biv and then back to Station Creek to camp, giving plenty of time to exit on Sunday. Hidden Hut to Turkey’s Nest Biv was just over two hours with a bit of track finding around windfall, and enough wasps around to keep us alert – two nests were spotted on the track and one sting obtained between us. While it wasn’t as bad as has been experienced before in Nelson Lakes the wasp activity in the beech forest here is something to be aware of when tramping in the summer or autumn, especially if there is a lot of beech windfall to clamber over. Turkey’s Nest Biv is a cosy 2-bunker with a fire which was a surprise for the size of the biv, this would ensure it would be extremely cosy in winter.
After a late lunch back at Hidden Hut we left just after 3pm to retrace our steps back from yesterday to the campsite in Station Creek. The day had cleared by now and it was a pleasant walk to the camp with plenty of breaks to enjoy the views, picking out the big peaks of Pinnacles and Bounds and backtracking to look for a bed roll (unsuccessful ☹), we arrived at around 8pm. The campsite is in a great spot with a nearby bathing pool plus a campfire and a billy and saw. After our late arrival and camp set up there was no time before dark to contribute to pine control but there are plenty there for next time!
On Day 3, Sunday, the plan was to head back to the car via the fenceline off Wye route down to Boulder stream, and the two Boulder Forks huts. Not knowing what to expect and whether the fenceline would have a similar pine situation as the Wye route we left early giving ourselves plenty of time to bag the huts and get back to the car for the drive to Picton.
We were very pleased when the route turned out to be easy going with much younger pine trees and evidence of recent cutting. We made our way down, cutting more branches and pulling seedlings as we went. This was a very enjoyable route and would be the recommended way to go up. It starts (or ends) in the stream just south-east of the fenceline – walk up the stream under an overhanging fence and make your way up to the spur and fenceline from there following a footpad. From the river it was a quick 1.5 kilometre walk to the old and new Boulder Forks Huts for lunch. After lunch it was just a couple of hours along the road back to the car.
At this stage is when the next adventure of this trip happened – after parking at the bridge crossing the Leatham River and pulling out of the carpark the car came to an abrupt and quite dramatic halt. We were 7-odd-kilometres from cell phone reception with a ferry to catch but it was clear the car wasn’t going anywhere; it appeared the axle had broken. Luckily two women had not long arrived for a walk and were able to help push the car to the side as it was completely blocking the road (it could only move backwards), they then very kindly drove us to Wairau Valley settlement (where they were from). We were able to call ahead, and the Club van (with the Angelus Hut group) was able to turn around and pick us up and carry onto Picton. While James stayed in Picton to arrange car rescue and repair I travelled back on the ferry and reflected on an enjoyable weekend in the Raglan Range. Many thanks to James for leading this trip and still being willing to go with only two punters and for sacrificing his car…
James’ note: after a tow, a visit to the Blenheim mechanics, two flights, and a ferry, I got my humble 2005 Nissan Tilda back in one piece. What a battle!
