Huxley – Brodrick Hut Waitangi weekend 6th – 8thFebruary
Robert Christine and Sandra departed Timaru at 7am on Friday morning. After three hours driving we arrived at the head of Lake Ohau then travelled on the four wheel drive track as far as we could before parking up and with around and hour and a half walking we arrived at Monument Hut for lunch. With signs of great weather ahead we set off leaving the Hopkins valley in to the Huxley valleywith destination of Huxley Forks Hut for the night. After crossing the swing bridge we followed the river across grassy flats arriving at around 4pm to find the Hut unoccupied so set up our spot for the night before the influx of more trampers. The weekend proved to be a busy with lots of Trampers in the area, and a demand for hut beds.
Saturday morning we set out at 9am for a day trip to Brodrick Hut and return to Forks Hut. The route followed the river side mostly with sections turning up the bank and hill into the bush which was mostly of beech forest and further up alpine plant life and snow grass. We sat beyond the Brodrick Hut and gazed at the surrounding mountains – Brodrick Pass and Mt McKenzie being popular areas for tramping. With hints of a nor west breeze higher up we were satisfied to stop here for a while before returning to Forks Hut in time to claim our beds for the night again before the rush. It was another busy night about the hut with other groups arriving as there stop before walking out on Sunday.
Sunday was another hot day which called for a dip in the stream before turning out on the open Hopkins Valley for the last two and half hours walk back to the car. Walk time was aprox. 5 hours with a few reasonable stops. Fantastic weather and an enjoyable trip.
Christine