Te Araroa 01/10/25

Day 7, Blackbridge road to Puketi campsite

Things were no drier in the morning but at least it wasn't raining, in fact it didn't rain all day.

Erik walking the river

Eric and I set off together again as there was a potentially difficult river crossing ahead and a backup person would be useful.

A bank to walk on in places

Down a muddy track for a kilometer or so. to the Mangapukahukahu Stream where, for about three kilometers, the track is the river itself.

Beautiful scenery 

Mostly it was fairly shallow or there was a stoney bank but occasionally we were forced into deeper water but I only got my shorts wet once.

Waipapa River crossing

The Lower Waipapa River was the next obstacle, a much bigger fast flowing stream that had to be crossed.

Waipapa River 

Erik had been on a river crossing course so he was able to remind me of all the techniques I had forgotten and we crossed safely to continue on another tortuous path that followed the Waipapa for about three kilometers and took nearly two hours.

Difficult forest trail again

The path had been upgraded and in places there were even some boardwalks but a major flood in 2023 had destroyed most of it leaving a 'path' similar to the previous forest sections.

It did improve 

The route description said there was a steep muddy climb to the Pukatea Ridge but in fact it had been upgraded and was now a graveled track with steps, a pleasant surprise.

Kauri trees

This is a Kauri forest and I think the upgrade is to keep people on the track and help prevent whatever is causing the Kauri dieback disease. There are cleaning stations on all the forest entry points from the roads.

Cleaning station at the forest exit 

The Pukatea Ridge path is hard but easier than the previous forest paths and eventually joins a vehicle track then a gravel road to the campsite and DOC hut at Puketi.

Megan, Darren and Eve on the track to Puketi 

There is a shower at the campsite but not heated, very refreshing!

Good campsite