We had been thwarted by some wet weather on the West Coast which prevented us from tackling our objective of the Inland Pack Track near Punakaiki (the rivers had risen too much and the forecast wasn't good). We were heading towards Lewis Pass area and with a short break in the weather we decided to tramp part of this track. The track(an old gold miners) runs for 18kms from near Blackball, NE of Greymouth over the tops and down to Barrytown on the West Coast. Getting back to our car would be difficult if we did the full track and as the best part is the eastern side we decided to do just that. The track starts at Smoke-Ho Creek car park, about 7kms on a rough gravel road from Blackball (store, pub and nothing much else in this quiet backwater).
DAY 1...to Ces Clarke Hut
A cool, cloudy day, some brief drizzle and mist on the tops. As we got to the car park 2 DOC workers were being helicoptered up to the hut to do some restoration work on a old gold miners hut close by. The track to the hut is mainly through forest on an easy gradient; mixture of smooth forest floor and rocky surfaces. It is an old gold miners track and there is a lot of interest on the way with possible diversions to old battery sites - 3 swingbridges to cross. There are two clearings that used to have hotels back in the old gold mining days - nothing there now. A leisurely 4 hrs to the splendid 20 bunk hut and a pleasant evening with the two DOC workers. Ces Clarke Hut
DAY 2...day on the tops
Early morning above Ces Clarke Hut looking down to the Grey Valley
A splendid day and as we had enough food we decided to stop another night. Spent a leisurely half-day wandering around the tops. Some fantastic views especially from Croesus Knob. The view southwards was particularly impressive. Later on we did our duty and tidied the hut up and just read and lazed the rest of the day away with the hut to ourselves. A great location and what bliss! Info: the hut the DOC workers were restoring is just below Ces Clarke Hut; has 3 sack cloth bunks and corrugated roof/sides. Approaching Croesus Knob with Mt Ryall 1220m in the background.
On Croesus Knob looking south with the West Coast clearly visible.
DAY 3...return
A cloudier day as we descended back to the car park with a short diversion on the way to Garden Gully Battery Site. The extra decoration you can see by the sign is our artistic work - there were bits of old gold mining equipment scattered about everywhere. Enjoyed this short tramp but you naturally need good weather for the tops - we were very lucky. Garden Gully Battery Site
