Colenso Hut/Ruahines

I've got a 3 day weekend this weekend and was wanting to do some tramping in the Ruahines and I'm after some advice. My friend and I were looking at the following itinerary: - Mokai road to Colenso Hut on day 1 - Colenso Hut to Maropea Forks Hut on day 2 - Maropea Forks Hut to Mokai road on day 3. We're both quite fit and aren't afraid of long days but I was just wondering what others experiences in this area were like (track conditions, etc)? Is this a realistic sort of plan or is it a bit stupid? We might be able to cut through Mokai Station to Iron Bark as my friends dad knows the owner which should help a bit on the way there. I'm open to any suggestions since I really haven't done as much tramping in the Ruahines as I should've (been up three times and I lived under them for nine years).

My parents farm is ten minutes from mokai station. The owner recently died and his wife is not so easy to deal with. I have taken a left on top of mokai Patea many time and it makes a super quick detour to iron bark, though it's up to you. Keep your eyes open when reaching the farm fence near scrub after descent to regain the track. I've made it all the way to Colenso hut in a day from mokai station in fact if your fit enough you could make it back to the car park in a day. Your plan is doable though you may be a little inexperienced.

I went through there a few years ago. Trip leader knew the owner. There is or was a designated track that takes a long zig zag up the hill but its 2 to 3 hours longer than the shortcut straight up. Even then an hour after starting we could still see the van

I did a similar trip last year. Day 1 - Mokai Patea to Iron Bark then onto Colenso This is very achievable provided you cut across to Iron Bark once on the tops. This shortcut route over the Mokai Patea isn't very obvious when clagged in and could be the navigational crux of the trip. We left the poled route at the fence line went straight up towards Mokai Patea and then sidled around towards pt 1191 and dropped down the spur. Once at the bush edge there is a good track to Iron Bark and now a new bridge near Iron Bark ensures all weather access to Colenso over the Maropea river. Be advised there is a slip on the Colenso track (see Doc website). Day 2 - Colenso - Maropea Forks. This is very achievable in a day. Nice bush tramping via the Unknown Campsite and stream. There are alternatives routes if you are keen (Remutupu stream and the main range). Day 3 Maropea Forks to Mokai Patea. When we did it we took the Puketaramea track and then the old NZFS swing bridge from near pt 770m over the Maropea River and the alternative track up to the Mokai Patea but this bridge has since been removed. Now the quickest way is to take the track to Puketaramea and then the new (unmarked on the maps) DoC track past point 770m to Iron Bark and the new swing bridge. Going out via Otukota is also possible in a day but is longer.

Thanks for the information guys. @Ruahine: is the route you outlined over Mokai Patea on private land or is it just to the side of it? @Gaiters: "Your plan is doable though you may be a little inexperienced." What would you say I should be able to do/what sort of levels of experience should I have to attempt this? What would you recommend I do instead or what changes would you make?

I just think that having only been in the ruahine a few times be cautious of the terrain. You may be fit as a fiddle but you need to be confident in navigating yourself in different geographic conditions. For instance the left hand short cut at the top of mokai Patea to iron bark can kick your butt in clag (low visibility fog) if your not experienced). It looks so simple on a topo map but in practice a different story. A lot of the tracks can have vague sections that you need to be able to steer throw confidently. Watch the ongaonga around the turnoff to unknown campsite. She bites.

That's absolutely fair. Exactly the sort of insight I was looking for as well. My heart definitely isn't set on doing this which is why I'd be interested in any 3 day loops you (or anyone!) could recommend in the Ruahines that might be a lower level/a bit more appropriate.

The route to Iron bark deviates off the poled route. However both routes go through private land. I would suggest you seek permission to use either. In terms of experience, I would say the hardest bit is the navigation to Iron Bark over the Mokai Patea. Once on the tracks they are well marked and within the capabilities of most trampers.

In my opinion, the legal access that runs south along the Mokai Patea Range, over the farm country, is tedious and boring. Getting to Otukota Hut, down the poled route through pt 1095, seems to take forever. I never did make it to Lake Colenso. Others here suggest doubling back and then turning east at pt 1210. Then drop down the spur from pt 1191 to join that track directly to Iron Bark Hut. I didn’t take that route at the time because I understood that wasn’t the legal route over the private land. But it’s what I would do now.