MILFORD TRACK

From Auckland we headed straight to the Egmont National Park and the dominant feature of Mt Taranaki at 2518 metres high. We wanted to ease ourselves back into tramping(we are mainly cyclists back home in the UK) so decided to miss out on the 4 day 55kms Around the Mountain Circuit and tackle the easier 2-3day 21kms Pouakai Track from the North Egmont Visitor Centre instead. The DOC people there advised us against a section of this track below Henry Peak which they said was badly rutted and muddy with some very deep sections. Not wishing to make hard work of a tramp at this early stage we opted to walk up to Holly Hut, spend a day there and return a slightly different way. One regret we did have was that we didn't attempt an ascent of Mt Taranaki whilst we were in this area especially as the weather was so good for 4-5 days - will have to return!

A lovely hot sunny day; left the car at North Egmont Visitor Centre and after a coffee in the cafe we left after 11:00hrs. It's a leisurely 3-4 hr walk from here to Holly Hut and we were definately taking it steady with packs on our backs for the first time in 9months. Steady climbing initially for about 250metres where superb views back across the plains open up. Some more easier climbing, but hot work with little shade, and then the track joins the AMC track and sidles around the flanks of the lower slopes of Mt Taranaki with some short climbing and descending around the spurs. After negotiating a rocky slip the track climbs gently up to a junction with the Kokowai track(see top photo). Then it's mainly descending for 2-3 kms to Holly Hut - a superb large 38bed place with 3 separate bunk rooms and possessing solar powered lighting. We got there about 15:00hrs, dumped the packs,had a drink,brief rest,and went down to see the impressive 30metre Bells Falls. About an 1hr+ there and back - worth the trip. Nobody else in the hut overnight. The creaking timbers, settling down after the hot day, made for quite an eerie evening. The solar lights were excellent.

Towards Holly Hut by Kokowai Track junction

Holly Hut & Mt Taranaki

Bells Falls below Holly Hut

On way to Pouakai Hut

A lovely hot sunny day. Left about 10:00hrs for a 2hr walk to Pouakai Hut. Track descends initially and then goes across Ahukawakawa Sphagnum Moss Swamp, with boarding to protect the area. There is one small creek crossing. A gradually climb up to and then across the flank of The Hump at 1295metres. Superb views back to Mt Taranaki - see left photo where you can see the track and also Holly Hut. Pouakai Hut, a short distance from the saddle was our lunch stop and rest in the shade. This hut is in a great location with some good views towards the coast. A short walk away are a few tarns where good reflection views of Mt Taranaki can be obtained - a bit too much of a breeze today. We returned the same way to Holly Hut for late afternoon and a few more people in residence for the night.

View of Mt Taranaki from nr Pouakai Hut

Another lovely hot sunny day. Left the hut after 09:00hrs; about 1hr back up to the Kokowai Track junction and then a descent down the ridge. Initially a bare ridge then into scrubland and finally into the bush. Great views higher up. Steps & ladders in some steep places and rough underfoot in most places. Unfortunately the track took us down beyond the Visitor Centre with no easy connecting path. We were fairly tired when we finally got there for our coffee.

Descending Kokowai Track