Clarence River Valley 4WD Weekends

[TangoCharlie]

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]

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]

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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]

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[Pampera]

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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]

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]

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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]

Looked brilliant Michael. Magic ride in there.

[TangoCharlie]

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.




255913

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]

A few pics from Clarence River (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/clarence-river.php)

[Pampera]

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]

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



A few pics from the weekend...

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-1.jpg
5 minutes in and a front flat, booooooooooo

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-2.jpg

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-3.jpg

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-4.jpg

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-5.jpg

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-6.jpg

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-7.jpg

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-8.jpg

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-9.jpg

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-10.jpg

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-17.jpg

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-11.jpg

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-12.jpg

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-13.jpg

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-14.jpg

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/144/images/clarence-river-16.jpg

[ADVGD]

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 :niceone:

[Phreaky Phil]

Does anyone know what weekends the Clarence is open ? Mite have to plan a trip down for a look-C:eek:

[pete-blen]

Does anyone know what weekends the Clarence is open ? Mite have to plan a trip down for a look-C:eek:

Feb 25 to 27 is it..
or wait till next summer

[Pampera]

Does anyone know what weekends the Clarence is open ? Mite have to plan a trip down for a look-C:eek:


Waitangi weekend was the last open weekend for 2012:

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/marlborough/south-marlborough/ka-whata-tu-o-rakihouia-clarence/plan-and-prepare/driving/

Michael

[Phreaky Phil]

That kinda kills that idea then :ar15:

[NordieBoy]

That kinda kills that idea then :ar15:

At least you haven't ridden all the way there to find out it's closed...

[Johnnyc]

I did the same, was there on my own Nov 2017. It's not called Dubious stream for nothing. Looks easy enough from that high vantage point but when I walked it the water was cloudy, high thigh and fast. It's a 60km walk back to the Inland rd from there. Ok if there's a few of you to help each other across.