May 11th 2025. Blue Range Hut and Rovers Hill.
The weather was good as 10 of us set off from the Kiriwhakapapa carpark at 8.30am and we warmed up nicely heading up the track to Blue Range Hut. On the way we caught up with 2 more MTC members who had set out a little earlier to get a good head start on the day. We made it good time to the hut to allow ourselves a generous 30 min brew stop, water refill and a few chores around the hut thrown in for good measure. The views were good as we looked at the cloudless main range whilst enjoying morning tea.
We set off again at 11am heading off along the Blue Range ridge to point 870m. Whilst there was no track as such there were occasional footpads/animal tracks and we kept on the top of the ridge as we made our way sure and steady to point 870m. We got there around 12.45pm so declared it the lunch spot.
Once replete we set off again to our next highpoint of 810m. It took a little longer than planned to get there due to the rough terrain and some navigational challenges, but with some great teamwork from the group we got back on track and finally arrived there at 2.30pm. It was then a fairly quick and easy jaunt to the top of Rovers hill at 823m, where there was much celebration!
The descent back down to the carpark took around 2.5 hours with various members of the group feeling the fatigue of the day.
It was getting dusk by the time we made it down to the crossing point at reef creek and there was a short time spent walking down the creek as the light was fading before finding the small side track that ran alongside it. Once back on the main track it was an easy stroll back to the carpark finishing up around 5.30pm.
Thanks to those who joined me on this trip Conrad, Phil & Izzy, Christine, Nathan, Josh, Michelle, Simon, Monty, David, Finlay, Brent. Trip Leader Gail & Boots
