42nd Traverse

[R1100GS]

Has anybody been through lately planning to take my 100GS through solo after Xmas.

[Waihou Thumper]

Has anybody been through lately planning to take my 100GS through solo after Xmas.

Hi and welcome...I recommend you do a search of posts here. We have hit this track numerous of times over the last few years and given the weather, climate of the Central Plateu, you could encounter four seasons in one day.
Watch for flood levels, rain, mud, and mountain bikers. Hit the trail early from Owhango end is probably best, mind you if the conditions are good, it don't matter.
Look at combining it with the Fishers track, well worth it.
Have fun, take your time and be careful of opposing traffic, it can happen at any bend..

[R1100GS]

Fishers Track? Where is it?
I am going from Turangi West toward NP.
By the way is the 42nd signposted on the traverse as I don't have a GPS.
I take your point about weather. Alone with a 1100GS "resting" in a stream can be tricky.

[MXNUT]

I would dissagree with Mark ( NZDRBIG ) and go from the national park end, that will suit your journey plans better and you would also be going down the rock wall not up it.

If it is dry, alone would be no problem. If it is wet i would not be going it alone on such a heavy bike, i have seen what has happened to other Beemers
in there in the wet

No sign posts on the track but if you stick to what looks like the main track you wont get lost.

[Crisis management]

Wot MXNUT said, start National Park end as it is generally downhill from there to Owhango, be aware it is now open for 4x4 traffic which could be exciting! In the past I have rung the local DOC office for an update on the track before using it, they are sometimes helpful.....and sometimes haven't got a clue.
The track is marked occasionally with poles but the main track is reasonably self evident with the most confusing bit being the first 10kms which is a gravel road with the odd no exit branch off it. You would have to try very hard to get lost.
Advice I was given....the main track is great but do not try the side tracks without someone that knows the country.

Have a look on Google earth as it is visible on there, also Google the 42nd Traverse and there is tons of info around.

If you want to do Fishers track, it starts at the National Park railway station and I would suggest a there and back run to get onto the 42nd after. Allow 2 hours.

After Owhango you want Hikimutu road (across the road from Owhango) to Taumaranui, then Kururau rd, to Otunui and on to SH43, thru to Whangamomona, Old Whangamomona road to the Bridge to Somewhere which puts you in Aotuhia, down Upper Mangehu rd to Strathmore then NP.

Have fun.

Iain

[Waihou Thumper]

I would dissagree with Mark ( NZDRBIG ) and go from the national park end, that will suit your journey plans

Well, yeah....He posted that after I had posted, so yes, the direction you said would be better.

And my name is still NZKTM....

[Jimmy]

We did Fishers Track and the 42nd Traverse three weeks ago. There had been very heavy rain in the days preceding our ride so the river on the 42nd was swiftly flowing and about 3/4 metre deep in the middle. Note that the river is around midway in so you can always back track without too much drama if not keen to risk it. Should be ok for you though if the fine weather holds. A couple of pics attached.

[Crisis management]

Jimmy, did you do the FNAR? I was looking out for a Wellintonian on a 450 but you must have blended in...I was on the 640 Adv.




The rivers rise and fall quickly there so if there has been no rain for a day or so they are no problem.

[R1100GS]

Thanks guys I will report back.
I will give Fishers a go as well.
I have found that the Beemer needs a snorkel - drowned it up the MacCauley a couple of weeks ago. Any water that reaches the seat is a problem!!!

[dino3310]

youll be right mate 'Aslan' and 'That looks like fun' have dragged there 1150s through it. this time of year the water level drops real fast after rain, so unless it raining hard when your there you should be sweet, just watch out for traffic

[That looks like fun]

It was a team effort I threw it down, the team picked it up. I got it stuck, the team pushed it out

[Kokopelli]

I wouldn't do it alone on an R1100 GS, unless you are a really big guy, it's a fine day and there are enough people on the trail to help if the worst happens.

[Aslan]

youll be right mate 'Aslan' and 'That looks like fun' have dragged there 1150s through it. this time of year the water level drops real fast after rain, so unless it raining hard when your there you should be sweet, just watch out for traffic

Hi - Gotta confess Dino is far too generous - yes I've done the Fisher's on my 1150 Beemer but not the 42nd which I have only done on my DR650.

I agree with others it is best done from Kapoors Road to Owhango.

Have fun.

[Jimmy]

Jimmy, did you do the FNAR? I was looking out for a Wellintonian on a 450 but you must have blended in...I was on the 640 Adv.




The rivers rise and fall quickly there so if there has been no rain for a day or so they are no problem.

Yep - I was at FNAR and if it was you riding alone for a fair bit I suspect we shared some gate opening duties. I spent a couple of hours on the Saturday afternoon changing tubes- three puntures to deal with as a result of a disintergating sidewall in the Pirelli Scorpion XT!!!!! and then a new tyre to fit at 9pm. Great fun.

[R1100GS]

I got through ok. Had a little trouble on a really greasy papa uphill.
Running Shinko 705 tyres and they are really good on gravel and road but the papa is interesting.
Rest of the track was fine.
Didn't do Fishers and heard later it was quite tricky at the moment with all the rain.

Thanks for all your advice.

Simon