Clarence River Valley 4WD Weekends

**TangoCharlie** · 16th January 2012, 19:09

Anyone been into the Clarence these last two weekends? Just looking for an update on the road / track conditions, as heading in there on Saturday on the DR650 and back again on Sunday with the family in the Surf and Sport Quad....

**NordieBoy** · 16th January 2012, 20:52

Originally Posted by TangoCharlie

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Anyone been into the Clarence these last two weekends? Just looking for an update on the road / track conditions, as heading in there on Saturday on the DR650 and back again on Sunday with the family in the Surf and Sport Quad....

Inmate Haddon in a RAV4 went through this weekend. Had to move a couple of rocks in one river crossing and that was it.
About 12 vehicles in all. No problems.

**Pampera** · 24th January 2012, 18:56

Clarence Reserve 012.JPG Clarence Reserve 020.JPG Clarence Reserve 029.JPG Clarence Reserve 044.JPG Clarence Reserve 077.JPG

Based myself in Kaikoura Friday - Sunday for an attempt at tackling the Clarence DOC reserve. during one of the current "4WD" weekends.
Weather was great aside from isolated cloud curling over the tops in morning climb over Blind Saddle and significant cloud cover on the east coast afternoon (but clear, warm and still 100 metres west of Blind Saddle).

Michael

**Pampera** · 24th January 2012, 18:57

Clarence Reserve 082.JPG Clarence Reserve 089.JPG Clarence Reserve 095.JPG Clarence Reserve 101.JPG Clarence Reserve 102.JPG

**Pampera** · 24th January 2012, 19:01

Clarence Reserve 112.JPG Clarence Reserve 110.JPG

About as far north as I got (the ford below), about 3 km from the end of the road at Stoney Flat. I was on my own, road was getting rougher, river crossing was a bit deep and fast and I decided to quit while I was ahead.

Michael

**Pampera** · 24th January 2012, 19:06

More pictures of the trip back down the valley.

One of the 19 crossings (not counting braids) in 6 km of the Seymour Stream, plus a crossing of a tributary.

Bad weather curling over from the east coast side of Blind Saddle. Time for a brew up.

Make sure you take the time to smell the daisies.

Rode and sailed home (Wellington) just ahead of the front. Began to spit leaving the ferry terminal and rain 10 minutes after the bike was safely inside!

**Pampera** · 24th January 2012, 19:08

Clarence Reserve 176.JPG

For Mark S. Making an espresso at 3000 feet, just on the sunny side of the cloud creeping from the east coast.

I have ridden over many of the classic South Island classic "adventure" routes over the last 10 years and this one is definitely recommended for KiwiBikers.

I only rode the northern route (100 km return), the southern road from Seymour Stream to Palmer Hut (40 km return) will have to wait for next time. Overall an easy track, although this would likely change if it is raining. No real technical bits, a short length of river boulders and a lot of river crossings, but I would not hesitate to ride it two up on the BMW. Open weekends continue until waitangi weekend.

Michael

**Box'a'bits** · 24th January 2012, 21:51

Looked brilliant Michael. Magic ride in there.

**TangoCharlie** · 26th January 2012, 10:12

Hi Micheal, it was great to meet you at the capark last Saturday (DR650SE & KDX200) after that stunning ride into Goose Flat Hut. Your pictures have prompted me to return again this weekend and head South to the Palmer Hut.

Originally Posted by Pampera

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Clarence Reserve 176.JPG

For Mark S. Making an espresso at 3000 feet, just on the sunny side of the cloud creeping from the east coast.

I have ridden over many of the classic South Island classic "adventure" routes over the last 10 years and this one is definitely recommended for KiwiBikers.

I only rode the northern route (100 km return), the southern road from Seymour Stream to Palmer Hut (40 km return) will have to wait for next time. Overall an easy track, although this would likely change if it is raining. No real technical bits, a short length of river boulders and a lot of river crossings, but I would not hesitate to ride it two up on the BMW. Open weekends continue until waitangi weekend.

Michael

**ADVGD** · 29th January 2012, 18:03

A few pics from Clarence River

**Pampera** · 29th January 2012, 18:40

Originally Posted by TangoCharlie

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Hi Micheal, it was great to meet you at the capark last Saturday (DR650SE & KDX200) after that stunning ride into Goose Flat Hut. Your pictures have prompted me to return again this weekend and head South to the Palmer Hut.

Same here. Was nice to know there was a couple of bikes behind me in the event something went wrong, as I made my way out.

Got home safely and dry Sunday. Hope your re-run went smoothly. I will certainly be back to finish off the exploration.

Regards,

Michael

**TangoCharlie** · 29th January 2012, 20:12

Did you get to Palmer Hut, the road / track is great and the views fantastic!
Great swimming hole below the hut....

Originally Posted by ADVGD

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

A few pics from the weekend...

5 minutes in and a front flat, booooooooooo

**ADVGD** · 30th January 2012, 08:14

Originally Posted by TangoCharlie

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Did you get to Palmer Hut, the road / track is great and the views fantastic!
Great swimming hole below the hut....

Spent the night at Palmer in one of the most insanely windy nights I have ever spent in a hut, the way it was moving and creaking in the gusts I thought the hut was going to take off a number of times!

Good to meet you mate, catch you on the next one