Mackley Road anyone?

[Muzz67]

Would like to go through the Mackley over the New Year, no date or direction yet.
Anyone keen to join up or offer advice?
Cheers, Muzz.

[CrazyFrog]

Would like to go through the Mackley over the New Year, no date or direction yet.
Anyone keen to join up or offer advice?
Cheers, Muzz.

Yeah, I'd be keen between 3-8 Jan. Let us know if you set a date.
I think Woodman is up for a trip down there too, pending work commitments.

[ADVGD]

I'll be floating around the top end of the SI most of January, if the date works I'll aim to link up. Let me know when you have the date set, cheers

[Underground]

I'll be keen, havent been through there in a while. Just got to put the Dommie back together...

[Woodman]

Always keen, Sundays best for me in January, or maybe a random short notice day during the week.

[Waihou Thumper]

FYI

http://www.buller.co.nz/assets/Downloads/MackleyRoadGuide.pdf

[Tazz]

FYI

http://www.buller.co.nz/assets/Downloads/MackleyRoadGuide.pdf

There is some info on O.R.E regarding a locked gate and a number to get a key (which may involve some cash?) as well from memory. It would be 2 years old though so might pay to check with a local what the go is.

[Woodman]

The gate is at the ironbridge end and not far in, if it is locked then turn back and go from Denniston end e.g. in and out. Its the best part anyway. Last couple of times i have been through the gate was open. Fantastic day ride from Nelson.

[Underground]

I've never seen that gate locked, but in any case from memory its one of those 'slide under' jobs

[ADVGD]

There is all sorts of info floating around on the net about this track, much of it is incorrect or outdated.

The new owner of the private section of land in NZ Coal. The manager is chap by the name of Jaymie, a good bloke. I have talked to him previously, he has registered Adventure Guide with DOC as the official contact for any route updates, closures etc. At this point in time the track is open and free of any locked gates or fees.

As the Denniston Mine reopens and mining operations start it could however affect entry; time will tell…

[Underground]

There is all sorts of info floating around on the net about this track, much of it is incorrect or outdated.

The new owner of the private section of land in NZ Coal. The manager is chap by the name of Jaymie, a good bloke. I have talked to him previously, he has registered Adventure Guide with DOC as the official contact for any route updates, closures etc. At this point in time the track is open and free of any locked gates or fees.

As the Denniston Mine reopens and mining operations start it could however affect entry; time will tell…

Thanks ADVGD, the big concern is that at some stage we will lose this little gem... so ride it while you can people.

[umopom]

Thanks ADVGD, the big concern is that at some stage we will lose this little gem... so ride it while you can people.

Gate was open on Saturday (28th) and river was about 500mm - will be deeper now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers
JC

[husaberg]

There is all sorts of info floating around on the net about this track, much of it is incorrect or outdated.

The new owner of the private section of land in NZ Coal. The manager is chap by the name of Jaymie, a good bloke. I have talked to him previously, he has registered Adventure Guide with DOC as the official contact for any route updates, closures etc. At this point in time the track is open and free of any locked gates or fees.

As the Denniston Mine reopens and mining operations start it could however affect entry; time will tell…

m...So is your information
Jamie Died in an Avalanche many months ago.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/9031590/Young-father-killed-by-avalanche
Yes the gate is open and it will be until the mining gets ramped up from what i understand it will not be locked at all unless people disrespect the place.
When the mining ramps up it will be a controlled access road.
At this stage the Denniston end will also not affect access to the Mackey road.
I have the new contact for the NZ Coal and i will post it in a week or so.

The Road it self only crosses "or used to cross" a very small piece of private land.
It is administrated by DOC where it goes through the estate and is maintained predominantly by Transpower.
Very similar situation to the Molesworth road and many others.

Yes Jamie was a good bloke BTW...

[ADVGD]

Jamie Died in an Avalanche many months ago.

That's sad news. I never met the guy, only spoke to him on the phone half a dozen times on the topic of access etc. He was always very friendly and overly keen to help walkers, hunters, mountain bikers and adventure riders to get access through without having to jump through hoops. His death is sad news indeed


I have the new contact for the NZ Coal and i will post it in a week or so.

If you can post or PM that new contact that would be very helpful. This track gets a number of requests through the website, it is a constant job keeping contact/access info up to date. Updates from riders is a great help

Cheers


Would like to go through the Mackley over the New Year, no date or direction yet.

How are you getting along with dates?

[Alpha Solo]

I'm keen too!

[Muzz67]

We gonna need a few days break in the weather to let the rivers go down a bit, wont we??
Forecast still says 8 days of rain in the next ten days, dammit.

[puddytat]

Yeah ,I'd say so.....been the last 3-4 years at around this time that Murchison has had some pretty major flooding of the rivers with the heavy torrential rains we seem to get nowadays.....
In saying that though, the last couple of weeks haven't been that wet here & the rivers are still @ low levels.
The mackley is another catchment altogether so it possibly will get less/more depending on direction but with the shit forecast for later this week coming from the NW ....looking a tad dodgey.

[XF650]

I would rate the Mackley / Denniston route as one of the best SI Adv rides that I have done. It has a bit of everything including the obvious river crossing, a (potentially) snotty climb and some amazing plateau landscapes not unlike the Dunstan Trail. Even the twisty tar seal bit down to Waimangaroa is a hoot, especially on knobblies;).
You should also include the squirt up to the Mt Rochfort look-out (that's Underground, Woodman & Rogson overlooking Westport):

[Underground]

I would rate the Mackley / Denniston route as one of the best SI Adv rides that I have done. It has a bit of everything including the obvious river crossing, a (potentially) snotty climb and some amazing plateau landscapes not unlike the Dunstan Trail. Even the twisty tar seal bit down to Waimangaroa is a hoot, especially on knobblies;).
You should also include the squirt up to the Mt Rochfort look-out (that's Underground, Woodman & Rogson overlooking Westport):

That was a bloody nice day out wasn't it Struan, I've been up there when you can hardly see your hand in front of your face...luck of the draw I guess

[Muzz67]

Couple of years ago I camped at Waimang beach, woke up to a stunning morning, hooned up to th aerial, COULDN"T SEE MY OWN FEET FOR THE MIST! Stumbled down to Waimang, looked up,, STUNNING DAY AGAIN! DOH!!

[rigley]

I was there on the 28th Dec with JC, had to get back due to party commitments :drinkup: I'm keen to go back to "knock the Bastard Off" Have you got a date yet?

[Underground]

Have you got a date yet?

Have you got a boat? :eek:

[rigley]

Have you got a boat? :eek:

The bad weather seems to clearing up by tonight, then another front is coming in from the South West by Tuesday morning. How long does it take for the river levels to subside?

[rigley]

How about this Saturday for the Mackley, weather is looking good :sunny: Could meet up at the Mobil Station in Richmond for 8am

[Padmei]

How about this Saturday for the Mackley, weather is looking good :sunny: Could meet up at the Mobil Station in Richmond for 8am

Umm I just checked metservice & Westport is sposed to be wet tomm & Sat. Am I looking at the wrong catchment area?

http://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/westport


(sorry for being a cloudy day:oi-grr:)

[rigley]

Umm I just checked metservice & Westport is sposed to be wet tomm & Sat. Am I looking at the wrong catchment area?

http://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/westport


(sorry for being a cloudy day:oi-grr:)

I sourced info from the Metvu:

http://www.metvuw.com/forecast/forecast1.php?type=rain&region=nzsi&tim=42

[ADVGD]

What direction are you riding it?

[rigley]

What direction are you riding it?

We would be coming from the Iron Bridge, (Murchison end)

[snodpete]

The weather in Westport is not a great indicator of what might be happening in the hills - gorgeous here today ;-)

I have more faith in Metvuw (http://www.metvuw.com/forecast/forecast.php?type=rain&region=nzsi&noofdays=3) than Metservice - and it's looking OK until Sun arvo.

[Woodman]

Working Saturday = ass

[Underground]

Me too, just got bizzy, maybe next weekend or during the week sometime...

[rigley]

Any more takers for Saturday? Weather is good, meet at the Mobil Station at Richmond for 8am, could meet people on the way if it suits

[umopom]

Any more takers for Saturday? Weather is good, meet at the Mobil Station at Richmond for 8am, could meet people on the way if it suits

I'm in, will bring my waders! Buller river flows look ok and dropping - should be able to squeeze in Mt Rochfort as well? and any other loops that anyone has?
See you at 8.
JC

[umopom]

What direction are you riding it?

Would be good to see you in there - do you want to meet up somewhere?
Cheers
JC

[Padmei]

Hi all
i'll give this one a miss as I've got a few things I need to finetune on Schmidt (you gus with modern jappas wouldn't understand (think back to when you had your 1st cars :laugh:)
Should be a good day.
I would like to go thru soon tho so give us a report back to how it looking now - esp river crossings

[umopom]

Hi all
i'll give this one a miss as I've got a few things I need to finetune on Schmidt (you gus with modern jappas wouldn't understand (think back to when you had your 1st cars :laugh:)
Should be a good day.
I would like to go thru soon tho so give us a report back to how it looking now - esp river crossings

Happy New year - would have been good to see you - been a while? We have raft building equipment so should be ok.
Cheers
JC

[ADVGD]

Would be good to see you in there - do you want to meet up somewhere?
Cheers
JC

G' day mate. I'm heading off on monday kicking off going through there, was thinking of heading in for a quick ride but tied up sorting out gear and getting prepped

Will be in your neck of the woods so will catch up soon

how did your ride go today?

[umopom]

G' day mate. I'm heading off on monday kicking off going through there, was thinking of heading in for a quick ride but tied up sorting out gear and getting prepped

Will be in your neck of the woods so will catch up soon

how did your ride go today?

Great day - the river was lower than expected and other than the usual drizzle in Denniston blue skies and some of the best riding conditions - the track is in better shape than I can remember.
Cheers
JC

[ADVGD]

I would have stopped for a chat when we passed you, I didn't pick that group as you


some of the best riding conditions - the track is in better shape than I can remember.

Totally agree, there must have been some heavy 4X4 traffic that has packed down the track, the normally steep and very loose climb out from Mount William Stream was more packed than I've ever seen

Glad to hear you struck great weather

Talk soon mate

[Padmei]

Ok so if I do a spur of the moment ride down there in the next couple of days I shouldn't need any help over the Mackley?

[rigley]

Ok so if I do a spur of the moment ride down there in the next couple of days I shouldn't need any help over the Mackley?

Water levels over the river were fine, a bit knarly getting back up the river bank heading for the Iron Bridge side. Things to watch out for: 4X4's hooning on the track, and the rock over hang as you turn right before the Iron Bridge, the road was blocked by a Rock Fall, happened about 1/2 hour before JC and I got there!

Great ride, well worth the effort :niceone:

[Underground]

Sounds good we might go through on Friday arvo after Big river :D

[Padmei]

Heading down there today. Should be good

[Woodman]

Heading down there today. Should be good

You lone wolfing it?.....Enjoy.

[husaberg]

Cracker day for it too, not been so many of those lately over here:niceone:

[Padmei]

Bit of a fizzer really. When I finally found it the water level was about knee height or just below carb level. I may have gotten over but decided if I dropped Schmidt he would be in there for a while. Turned round and came home. I'll get thru there one day.
Sorry I didn't stop to chat jatz I was trying to get back to Richmond on 1 tank.

[Woodman]

Bit of a fizzer really. When I finally found it the water level was about knee height or just below carb level. I may have gotten over but decided if I dropped Schmidt he would be in there for a while. Turned round and came home. I'll get thru there one day.
Sorry I didn't stop to chat jatz I was trying to get back to Richmond on 1 tank.

Bummer, but good call..........

[Underground]

Yep best to bail if you're on your own and unsure of it .
We went through on Friday arvo and it was running well over knee deep, a bit of a mission but made it through alright. My clutch had over heated and stopped working by the time I got across but it came right after I took a breather.
The road is in great condition for riding though....and so is Big River, Clarence, Maungatapu and various other places :woohoo:

[JATZ]

Bit of a fizzer really. When I finally found it the water level was about knee height or just below carb level. I may have gotten over but decided if I dropped Schmidt he would be in there for a while. Turned round and came home. I'll get thru there one day.
Sorry I didn't stop to chat jatz I was trying to get back to Richmond on 1 tank.

Thats o.k.... I was kinda doing my own lone wolf thing, Didn't want a pack to form :blink:
Actually.... it got me thinking, I haven't ridden with anyone since our ride out to Kenepuru.

[Padmei]

Thats o.k.... I was kinda doing my own lone wolf thing, Didn't want a pack to form :blink:
Actually.... it got me thinking, I haven't ridden with anyone since our ride out to Kenepuru.

Are you still mad cos I bludged a coffee off ya


(& gas off Woodman)

Maybe we should actually do a ride sometime - not this weekend tho - off to Totaranui camping - actually it would be a good place to come out & visit

No elecricity so no pav sorry