We did a trip at Easter that may appeal .Started at Redcliffe Stream in the Rakaia & went into Tribulation
Hut(4 hrs) via a new DOC easement.This hut,6 bunks/no fire,was a dog until
DOC tuned it up.Good access to the country behind Mt Hutt or to the Black
Hill Range,but we carried on down the Swift R to Cookies Point,then up the
North Ashburton R to Comyns Hut(8 hrs).Lot of river crossings,so river level
is critical.Summer flows are ideal.Two biggish side streams which drain the
Taylor Range-Boundary & Kings Drive are a tramp on their own.Last day,4/5
hrs up Turton Stream/Saddle & to a waiting vehicle at Glenrock,where another
DOC easement emerges to the road.Good option when NW precludes Coast tramps.
The high point 2114m on the Black Range is worth a look too.A big day
trip from Redcliffe Stream,but more easily accessed from Comyns Hut.Locally
known as FruitCake Peak.
North Ashburton River
From Double Hill Road in the Rakaia R,an easement takes you from Redcliffe Stream through to the end of another DOC easement at Glenrock,also on Double Hill Road.
Comments
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Honora We did that circuit eventually. It was very hot and we took it easy, camping in Boundary Stream. Frank actually got heatstroke going from Comyns Hut to Boundary Stream as he got us to travel via the side hills, not the river as he can't swim. So we had a few sections of height gain enroute to Boundary Stream. Last Waitangi w/e we ran into a couple of families with young children who'd come downstream from Comyns Hut to Cookies Hut in a day. Again it was a very hot day and Frank suffered as we'd gone up Mt Hecla. I read about Totara Camp in the North Ashburton and that sounded like a really nice place to camp. We met horse trekkers who were travelling up the Nth Ashburton gorge that day as well.
12 July 2017 -
Honora Thanks for that, lewshaw. I shaw will! Looks like a good circuit via the Te Araroa trail over Clent Saddle to Comyns Hut then downstream to Boundary Creek and over into the South Branch of the Swin. Yes, that basin looks very appealing on the map and a nice gentle backdoor ascent to it. Magic.
7 May 2011
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lewshaw Have a look at ECANs` River Flow site.Anything over 5 cumecs,pack a schnorkel & flippers.After Comyns Hut,Mutton Gully is worth a look.Good access from here up FruitCake Peak.If anyone has been up Kings Drive Stream,I`d be interested.Will check it out,as there are 2 biggish waterfalls shown in this creek.Boundary is navigable-keen to camp at the high basin on the TL of this valley.All on the doorstep!
7 May 2011
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Honora Thanks for the write-up. I've been wanting to do this trip for some time but wasn't sure how it would go even with low levels in the N.Ashburton (specifically in that tight little gorgy section just upstream from the confluence with Boundary Creek).
7 May 2011
ID 6806
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