A small group of three planned to complete the Southern Crossing one March weekend. We were all set to catch a mid Friday arvo train from Wellington to Waikanae, meet Kapiti Coast Shuttles for a ride to Otaki Forks, and head to either Field or Kime Hut for the night. Early Friday morning a storm rolled in flooding areas of the Wellington region and the Southern Tararuas got hammered, forecast for worse, by both wind and rain. Regretfully mid afternoon the shuttle was cancelled.
Two of us decided we still wanted to get out for the weekend, we were already packed after all. We recruited a new third and after a quick bit of research set off to Levin Saturday morning, where the weather was better, and decided on Waiopehu Hut.
We signed in the DoC book and saw a working bee was heading to the hut. We wondered if we should have bought tents (we had bedrolls), decided to risk it, and set off.
We knew this track was known for being a bit of a mud pit. We were pleasantly surprised there was not that much mud, it had been a dry summer, although where there was mud there was a lot – I can imagine it lives up to its rep in winter.
Image Credit to Marty
After a day of all uphill, on arrival at the hut we were treated to stunning views, including Mt Taranaki, several other trampers, and a working bee of only 2, to our surprise. We claimed beds, had some miso soup, cracked open the wine and asked for a paintbrush each. We got to work helping stain the exterior of the hut a deep green, while discussing the day, other trips, and the working bees tasks.
Mount Taranaki from the deck of Waiopehu Hut
The following day we set off uphill each carrying a couple of waratahs (track markers) about a kilometre from the hut to be set out by the working bee later on that day. Man they are heavy! I gained a new appreciation for those markers that day.
The way we headed – Waiopehu, Twin Peak, Richards Knob, Gable End – creates a loop back to the car park, the last section following the Ohau river. Overall a beautiful weekend loop trip with a lot of variety and very easy logistics.
Logistics
Day 1 Park at the end of Poads Road, Levin Walk anticlockwise to Waiopehu Hut, 4 hours
Day 2 Continue uphill to loop back down to the car at Poads Road, 4 hours.
Note: the track conditions were good. Be prepared for this tramp to take significantly longer in muddy conditions.
Wellington Tramping Group 