Te Araroa 09/01/26

Day 110, Hamilton Hut to Harper Road Campsite (2271)

There were some showers overnight but after thinking about putting my jacket on I decided to start without it, the correct decision.

Rainbow to start the day

Bridge over Hamilton Creek 

A short walk along the wooded riverside brought me back to the main river where the track followed the stony river braid, sometimes on grass and occasionally crossing the river.

Good track by the river

I was walking with Pete and Dean again who l had re-met at Hamilton Hut which was useful as the river crossings got deeper and faster lower down.

Interesting pinnacles 

We stopped for lunch opposite a really interesting formation of rock pinnacles 

Dean and Pete on the trail

Eventually the path reached a 4wd track that ran along the flood bank that had been made by bulldozing up gravel and stone from the river braid.

River crossing

Hedgehog on the way across the road

A hedgehog crossed the track in front of me.

Good track at the end 

A short distance then to Lake Coleridge, a reservoir to produce hydro power and the little informal campsite.

Information board about braided rivers

It was very hot and sunny at the campsite but windy, so no sandflies. There is a good, relatively new, shelter as well that would be fine for sleeping in if necessary but I put my tent up anyway.

Five north bound walkers arrived and it was good to swop information about the next few days, especially for the north bound ones with the river crossings and forecast to consider.

Friday night with road access, a few families and camper vans, it could get busier.