Reefton Greymouth area route instructions please

[Howie]

Hi guys, i'm planning a few days in the top half of the south island in a couple of weeks. I noticed on my maps that the Ahaura-Kopara rd ends at the Ahaura river, with Haupiri road on the other side. Is this river reasonably easy to cross?
Google satellite shows it as a semi braided river with tracks leading to both sides.
NZ fishing shows both sides as access to the river here http://www.nzfishing.com/FishingWaters/West%20Coast/WCMaps/AhauraTopo.htm

Has anyone attempted to cross it? as it would make a good loop with Lake Hochsetter.

cheers

Paul

[marks]

when are you heading down?

I will be in the area between 25th Feb & 1st Mar?

[Howie]

when are you heading down?

I will be in the area between 25th Feb & 1st Mar?

well those are the dates I'm aiming at heading down/coming home, Plan on going into the Clarence river reserve at least one of the open days toying with the idea of going in on the friday and camping the night, other than that I was just going to do some of the easier tracks/routes that I haven't ridden before.

[Monstaman]

Hi guys, i'm planning a few days in the top half of the south island in a couple of weeks. I noticed on my maps that the Ahaura-Kopara rd ends at the Ahaura river, with Haupiri road on the other side. Is this river reasonably easy to cross?
Google satellite shows it as a semi braided river with tracks leading to both sides.
NZ fishing shows both sides as access to the river here http://www.nzfishing.com/FishingWaters/West%20Coast/WCMaps/AhauraTopo.htm

Has anyone attempted to cross it? as it would make a good loop with Lake Hochsetter.

cheers

Paul

Heya Paul, absolute no go there on a bike, you can cross from Flagstaff flat in The Hochstetter Forest in a 4wd if you pick your line but not a on a bike.

Same right at the top with Haupiri road, very rough and basically unfordable by bike, even in the truck it is a mission and soon as it starts to turn brown forget it.

Also at Christmas with the huge storm there is massive tree fell in Hochstetter and it still may not be cleared yet so you may not even get out to Flagstaff flat.

Worth the trip and the look but short of an Armageddon size drought it is not doable.

[JATZ]

Hi guys, i'm planning a few days in the top half of the south island in a couple of weeks. I noticed on my maps that the Ahaura-Kopara rd ends at the Ahaura river, with Haupiri road on the other side. Is this river reasonably easy to cross?
Google satellite shows it as a semi braided river with tracks leading to both sides.
NZ fishing shows both sides as access to the river here http://www.nzfishing.com/FishingWaters/West%20Coast/WCMaps/AhauraTopo.htm

Has anyone attempted to cross it? as it would make a good loop with Lake Hochsetter.

cheers

Paul

We looked at going across and spoke to a farmer on the northern side, he didn't think we'd get bikes across as it's pretty bouldery, however we didn't actually get to the river. I think it would be worth a look, besides which the road into the river is a honey :yes:
Would be good to link the 2 roads up. Can I recomend heading into Hochsetter from the Nelson crk end and coming out on the Kopara rd, We did it last Labour weekend and the track was getting a bit washed out.

[Howie]

Heya Paul, absolute no go there on a bike, you can cross from Flagstaff flat in The Hochstetter Forest in a 4wd if you pick your line but not a on a bike.

Same right at the top with Haupiri road, very rough and basically unfordable by bike, even in the truck it is a mission and soon as it starts to turn brown forget it.

Also at Christmas with the huge storm there is massive tree fell in Hochstetter and it still may not be cleared yet so you may not even get out to Flagstaff flat.

Worth the trip and the look but short of an Armageddon size drought it is not doable.


We looked at going across and spoke to a farmer on the northern side, he didn't think we'd get bikes across as it's pretty bouldery, however we didn't actually get to the river. I think it would be worth a look, besides which the road into the river is a honey :yes:
Would be good to link the 2 roads up. Can I recomend heading into Hochsetter from the Nelson crk end and coming out on the Kopara rd, We did it last Labour weekend and the track was getting a bit washed out.

Thanks for the replies Monstaman, and JATZ. might do as you sugest Jatz, and maybe ride both roads but miss out the river crossing if it's a rough one. Apparently there is also an old logging road off the Ahaura-Kopara rd, heading north towards the Clarke river, so could poke my nose up that as well.

Cheers

Paul

[ADVGD]

Can I recomend heading into Hochsetter from the Nelson crk end and coming out on the Kopara rd, We did it last Labour weekend and the track was getting a bit washed out.

I'd agree with you there JATZ, did that about a month ago, a few sections certainly getting a bit washed out. A good ride

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/63/images/west-coast-adv-ride-16.jpg

[ADVGD]

Got an article coming with details and photos on Ahaura-Kopara Road, in the meantime if you are heading that way and looking for a place to stay, Jims Flat Hut is a great option

Jims Flat Hut information (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/72/jims-flat-hut.php)

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/72/images/jims-flatt-hut-2.jpg

Jims Flat Hut information (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/72/jims-flat-hut.php)

[Howie]

Got an article coming with details and photos on Ahaura-Kopara Road, in the meantime if you are heading that way and looking for a place to stay, Jims Flat Hut is a great option



Thanks fot that, good information to have, think I'll have to go for a ride up that way.

Cheers

Paul

[Monstaman]

Thanks fot that, good information to have, think I'll have to go for a ride up that way.

Cheers

Paul

There is still plenty there Paul, doesn't matter not getting the loop as there is still plenty of beautiful country to look at and ride.

Shingle roads from Kotuku through to Notown with so cool off road stuff too, and from Just south of Ngahee through to the Nelson Creek road.

You won't get board, in fact you will run out of time, let me know if you want some specific info and I can help point you in the right direction

[NordieBoy]

Had a post up on youtube on the NOIITS Part 2 vid that says Waitahu River Road has been washed out and is impassable.

Impassable or even better?

:devil2:

[marks]

Had a post up on youtube on the NOIITS Part 2 vid that says Waitahu River Road has been washed out and is impassable.

Impassable or even better?

:devil2:


last time we went through late last year it was blocked by some big trees - but nothing a bit of 'track making' couldn't fix.

will hopefully be doing this track again on Sun 28th Feb or Mon 29th

http://webcoda.com/images/bike/IMG_8047.JPG

[richyrich]

hey,3 or 4 0f us from dunedin are heading up that way on the 26th for a few days exploring,keen to check that area around hochstetter, also any other places that might be interesting.we will be on enduro bikes and always keen on a bit of track clearing if it means getting somewhere.
any info on some good track would be much appreciated as the coast is a whole new world for us.

[hayd3n]

it would be great to have access to a tractor and a decent trailer and cross that river!!!

[Howie]

hey,3 or 4 0f us from dunedin are heading up that way on the 26th for a few days exploring,keen to check that area around hochstetter, also any other places that might be interesting.we will be on enduro bikes and always keen on a bit of track clearing if it means getting somewhere.
any info on some good track would be much appreciated as the coast is a whole new world for us.

Hi, I was hoping someone that had ridden in that area more than myself would have replied. The tracks I know of down that way are Denniston to new creek (Denniston - Mackley), and Mt Rochfort a description of which can be found Here (http://www.cyclebuller.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=18&Itemid=14) in the pdf files. Most of the other tracks on that site appear to be for mountain bikes only.

Other tracks in the area are Big river, Waitahu river, Lake Hochstetter, and Mount Greenland which is further south just out of Ross but have no idea what they are like. Are your bikes Road legal? as that probably affects the area's you can ride in.

Cheers

Paul

[Monstaman]

Other tracks in the area are Big river, Waitahu river, Lake Hochstetter, and Mount Greenland which is further south just out of Ross but have no idea what they are like.

Cheers

Paul

Big River -very easy and a nice trip in, 27 km each way, go right to the poppet head

Waitahu - got a beating at Christmas when were at Reefton, unsure if it has been repaired or not to be honest, rest of the time it is a bog hole and tree roots galore.

While at Reefton go up the Zig Zag track if you haven't already, neat view from the top and come out on the Big River Road.

Lake Hochs - see original posts, depends if storm damage is still down but well worth going for a poke around reguardless

Mount Greenland - easy near the bottom, step and rocky nearer the top, suggest be better on smaller trail bike than large ADV bike, if you go down the other side be prepared as it is very loose and rocky, bloody good trip but one to do with other with experience.

[richyrich]

yep all road legal,couple of 52x and 1 maybe 2 690s traveliing lightish

[richyrich]

Big River -very easy and a nice trip in, 27 km each way, go right to the poppet head

Waitahu - got a beating at Christmas when were at Reefton, unsure if it has been repaired or not to be honest, rest of the time it is a bog hole and tree roots galore.

While at Reefton go up the Zig Zag track if you haven't already, neat view from the top and come out on the Big River Road.

Lake Hochs - see original posts, depends if storm damage is still down but well worth going for a poke around reguardless

Mount Greenland - easy near the bottom, step and rocky nearer the top, suggest be better on smaller trail bike than large ADV bike, if you go down the other side be prepared as it is very loose and rocky, bloody good trip but one to do with other with experience.

thanks monsta,mount greenland sounds worth taking a look at,but where is it?

[Monstaman]

Straight behind Ross, coming South into Ross DON'T turn right down the main drag, just carry on straight ahead and follow your nose.

If you head down into Langdon creek from the top of Greenland be prepared for some entertainment, although I have not been there since the BIG rains at Christmas.

[Howie]

thanks monsta,mount greenland sounds worth taking a look at,but where is it?

One of the DOC brochure's has a bit of a write up on Mount Greenland as a walk, and a very basic map. It is over Here (http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/west-coast/hokitika-kumara-ross%20brochure.pdf) as a pdf file. The DOC website is always a good one to search for a bit of basic info about areas.

cheers

Paul

[ADVGD]

Got an article coming with details and photos on Ahaura-Kopara Road...

And here it is...

Link > Ahaura Kopara Road
(http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/105/ahaura-kopara-road.php)
http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/105/images/ahaura-kopara-road-4.jpg

And...

Link > Jims Flat Track (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/106/jims-flat-track.php)

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/106/images/jims-flat-track-2.jpg

[clint640]

And here it is...

Link > Ahaura Kopara Road
(http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/105/ahaura-kopara-road.php)
][/URL]


I'll say it again, that website of yours is shaping up to be a bloody nice piece of work, well done :rockon: I look forward to the full go-live.

I have toured through many of those tracks in the 4x4 a while back, next summer's SI trip is probably going to be around the top 1/3 so we will have to revisit some of those areas on the bikes. :scooter:

Cheers
Clint

[Rcktfsh]

I've crossed the Ahaura river a few times back in the 80's when I was mining down there, it was however in a 30 ton digger and you'd be brave to try anything smaller.

[Howie]

Yep I got down there in Feb, it was a getting dark by the time I got to the hut, but was worth the detour on my way back to Reefton.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3fHllqh7WJo/TW4jWFLNfII/AAAAAAAAAK8/lQr_WmBmvQk/s400/DSC02513.JPG


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iEUZCgfGJko/TW4jW5v2RFI/AAAAAAAAALI/o7yYWX5Kp4E/s400/DSC02516.JPG

Rest of that trip report is over Here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/135403-Trip-South-last-weekend.)

[Howie]

And here it is...

Link > Ahaura Kopara Road
(http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/105/ahaura-kopara-road.php)




I'll say it again, that website of yours is shaping up to be a bloody nice piece of work, well done :rockon: I look forward to the full go-live.



Cheers
Clint

What he said ^^^ The time and effort going into your site is great. it is easy to follow with useful links.

[husaberg]

I've crossed the Ahaura river a few times back in the 80's when I was mining down there, it was however in a 30 ton digger and you'd be brave to try anything smaller.

The Ahaura river is a fickle beast, and has at times claimed tractors. The farmer on the Ahaura Kopara side are Bede and Naoli Rogaski, Very freindly likable helpful people if arranged in advance, and with the right incentive a tractor ride across could be possible. The land on the flagstaff side is owned by the Glorivale Christian community beer will not help here sorry, but if you ask they may be willing to help.
On the Haupiri Nancy side are John Butcher and Clem Egan also lovely helpful people if you ask in advance they may be willing to help.

Other intersting rides are the mill town road to Waininini talk to Michael Milne (Cowboy paridise)
the Mikinui valley via The Totara valley ask Daya Minehan. Another is the Mardsen Maori gully road, lady lake Mitchell’s Lake Brunner and then boarding house road Cape terrace road. The bundy. Mount Searle repeater station is worth a go call in at the farm and ask first Andrew or Cossey.
If you are looking for permission to cross people places or to camp Google west coast regional council hit about us, then Maps on the web and there are topos and arial maps with he property owners on it .

At Ikamatua there is the Napoleon hill to Waipuna asks Malcolm Smith first in the Muchison area there is the Parika track, breaburn ,frog flat- goat track.
At Springs Junction has the palmers road if your feeling real keen. You can attempt the Snowy to Palmers road possible on horse anyway.
Hope this helps

[pete376403]

Apparently Napoleon Hill has been rooted by bulldozer to allow DOC sanctioned passenger trips.

BTW heres a few punctuation marks, your keyboard seems to be missing them..................... ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, :yes:

[JATZ]

The Ahaura river is a fickle beast, and has at times claimed tractors, the farmer on the Ahaura/Kopara side are Bede and Naoli Rogaski very friendly likeable helpful people if arranged in advance. With the right incentive a tractor ride accross could be possible, the land on the Flagstaff side is owned by the Glorivale Christian community. Beer will not help here, sorry but if you ask they may be willing to help.
On the Haupiri/Nancy side are John Butcher and Clem Egan also lovely helpful people, if you ask in advance they may be willing to help.

Other interesting rides are the Mill town road to Waininini, talk to Micheal Milne (Cowboy paridise).
The Mikinui valley via Totara valley, ask Daya Minehan, the Mardsen/Maori gully road, Lady lake, Mitchels, Lake Brunner and then Boarding house road, Cappe terrace road and the Bundy/Mount Searle repeater station, call in at the farm and ask first, Andrew or Cossey. If you are looking for permission to cross people places, or to camp. Google West Coast regional council, hit, about us, then Maps on the web and there are topos and arial maps with the property owners on it .

At Ikimatua there is the Napolian hill to Waipune, ask Malcolm Smith first. In the Muchison area there is the Porika track, Braeburn, Frog flat goat track, Springs junction has the Palmers road if your feeling real keen you can atempt the Snowy to Palmers road possible on horse anyway.
Hope this helps

Some good info there Husaberg, sounds like you've spent a bit of time down there :yes:
I'm interested in the Mikinui valley via Totara valley. We rode up Totara and it would've been nice to have gone a bit further.Also the "Snowy to Palmers " bit
sounds like a challenge :blink:

Punctuation looks fine in the quoted bit :innocent:

[husaberg]

Some good info there Husaberg, sounds like you've spent a bit of time down there :yes:
I'm interested in the Mikinui valley via Totara valley. We rode up Totara and it would've been nice to have gone a bit further.Also the "Snowy to Palmers " bit
sounds like a challenge :blink:

Punctuation looks fine in the quoted bit :innocent

I have Spend 37 odd years here so far.

I thought it was Kiwibiker not a english exam.

Don't be mislead, the Totara Mikinui is a dead end Road.

Talk to Dave O'Donnell re the Snowy Valley end and ask around in springs re the new owners of the Big Grey Farm at Palmers road end, A Chileian I believe.

[ADVGD]

The ahaura river is...

Nice post, good info :niceone:

[JATZ]

Punctuation looks fine in the quoted bit :innocent

I have Spend 37 odd years here so far.

I thought it was Kiwibiker not a english exam.

Don't be mislead, the Totara Mikinui is a dead end Road.

Talk to Dave O'Donnell re the Snowy Valley end and ask around in springs re the new owners of the Big Grey Farm at Palmers road end, A Chileian I believe.

Cheers.....:niceone:

Don't get upset about the puntuation bit, it's just a bit of niggle :Pokey: :D

[husaberg]

Cheers.....:niceone:

Don't get upset about the puntuation bit, it's just a bit of niggle :Pokey: :D

No worries

Check out the post time and the date I have fixed the most obvious ones.
I am aware my grammar sucks and spelling is atrocious and my punctuation leaves a little to be desired.

[Howie]

Some good info there Husaberg, sounds like you've spent a bit of time down there :yes:
I'm interested in the Mikinui valley via Totara valley. We rode up Totara and it would've been nice to have gone a bit further.Also the "Snowy to Palmers " bit
sounds like a challenge :blink:




Nice post, good info :niceone:


What they said, some very good infomation in there. :yes:

[Woodman]

Gotta get back down there.
Husaberg you just brought back a lot of riding memories for me. Cheers

[husaberg]

Gotta get back down there.
Husaberg you just brought back a lot of riding memories for me. Cheers

Last but not least if anyone from away is planning a trip include copious quantities of inspect repellant do not skimp, The little critters love new blood.

By the way I neglected all the stuff below Ross sorry.

Saltwater, Mt Hercules pack track ,Mt One One thats o-knee o-knee.

I will when time allows post some Maps for you all.

[JATZ]

By the way I neglected all the stuff below Ross sorry.

Saltwater, Mt Hercules pack track ,Mt One One thats o-knee o-knee.

I will when time allows post some Maps for you all.

Your Gunna love this Crim.......






















:corn: Subscribed :shutup:


I feel another trip to the coast coming on :yes:

[ADVGD]

Also at Christmas with the huge storm there is massive tree fell in Hochstetter and it still may not be cleared yet so you may not even get out to Flagstaff flat.

Still there as of the 25th of July...

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/112/images/west-coast-ride-8.jpg

It is definitely doable to get around but it would take some time to prep a track and a bit of muscling your bike as there are a number of other fallen trees to get around and you have to drop right down a good 40 metres. I was pretty pushed for time so used Flagstaff Road

[ADVGD]

A couple of ride reports from the West Coast area...

West Coast ride report 15th - 17th July 2011 (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/107/west-coast-adv-ride.php)

West Coast ride report 23rd - 25th July 2011 (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/112/west-coast-ride.php)

[thepom]

Bloody awesome pics again, Jesus you get around a bit eh.....look forward to doing some of your rides in the summer.....:yes:

[husaberg]

Still there as of the 25th of July...

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/112/images/west-coast-ride-8.jpg

It is definitely doable to get around but it would take some time to prep a track and a bit of muscling your bike as there are a number of other fallen trees to get around and you have to drop right down a good 40 metres. I was pretty pushed for time so used Flagstaff Road

The weather for a couple of weeks was the worst spell in most peoples memory it went on for 13 days straight storm after storm we have tracks to clear every where for (incert SOE power transmission company here) Access.

By the way if its windy get the hell out of that forrest as fast as you can this shit hapens in there all the time one truck convoy with two units had to clear 30 trees there one day they were falling all around them.The driver told me he was never going back there again in a truck.

The other track that goes up by the christian comunity should be open as they will have cattle grazing there(at Flagstaff).

With regards to the Waininini to Milltown ,If I was you guys do it soon not sure regarding access as the penstocks for the hydro scheme was under repairs a while back, but try talking to cowboy paridise (Mike Milne)he will know if its locked and if so where to find a key this track will be lost to motorbikes soon, as it is suposed to form part of the cycle trail,So do if you can, try and do it soon

[ADVGD]

With regards to the Waininini to Milltown ,If I was you guys do it soon not sure regarding access as the penstocks for the hydro scheme was under repairs a while back, but try talking to cowboy paridise (Mike Milne)he will know if its locked and if so where to find a key this track will be lost to motorbikes soon, as it is suposed to form part of the cycle trail,So do if you can, try and do it soon

Cheers again for the info mate :niceone:

[husaberg]

Cheers again for the info mate :niceone:

I just spoke to someone today there may be damage to the track .I will ask around.Also talk to Pat and Julie Fitzgerald re the Waininini end as the road is on there place.

[husaberg]

I just spoke to someone today there may be damage to the track .I will ask around.Also talk to Pat and Julie Fitzgerald re the Waininini end as the road is on there place.

Yet another thread killed off by Husaberg

[NordieBoy]

May have to re-visit Reefton-Ross over Labour Weekend...

Round 2, ding-ding...

[husaberg]

May have to re-visit Reefton-Ross over Labour Weekend...

Round 2, ding-ding...
If you were to go onto the Reefton area there is a loop that i always wanted to scope out i will post the map if you are interested, It would need a little leg work though and i can point out a few side tracks to explore.