Not having seen Rachel since her last big bikepacking trip abroad, time was running out to get the Oteake crew back together for a more modest bike trip. The weekend long since decided, the location was only confirmed closer to the time as late-autumn forecasts considered. Andy and I were keen to ride the recently opened Pike29 Memorial Track, off the Paparoa Trail; Rachel was happy to ride it again – possibly as it meant she had the shortest drive. Richard (soon off to Tour Divide), Tom (recently reacquainted with on previous ride) and Ian made up our group assembled in Blackball Friday night. The plan was to ride a loop from Blackball, to and along the southern section of the Paparoa to the Pike29 intersection, the Pike29 and thirty-odd kilometres of road back to Blackball.
A very frosty morning, we were eventually underway after I’d sorted my car loaded for two weeks of adventures (and possibly two weeks of work) out. Getting up to the trailhead at Smoke-ho was an opportunity to warm a bit, but it wasn’t too chilly – even being the only one in shorts. The climb to Ces Clark hut is one of my favourites – an old mining pack track, I’ve always found it an achievable technical challenge on a loaded bikepacking rig. I was looking forward to the Paparoa on my unloaded trail bike; the climb seemed a lot easier – it seemed to have been sanitised in parts, but it was probably mostly the change in set-up.
A few bridges early on; the entries and exits the only non-rideable parts of the trail.
Frosty at the old hotel site, around 400 m elevation.
Ces Clark hut view down the lower Grey River valley.
As we reached the tops, the breeze picked up a bit – cooling things off a little. Despite a few prolonged stops, not many photos taken (previous trips here) as I was enjoying riding and being on the trail.
After lunch at Moonlight Tops Hut, it was into one of my highlights of the Paparoa – the goblin forest as you ride along the escarpment. My lack of time on the bike starting to show – I don’t remember there being so many little climbs! With all our stops, it was about six hours before we reached the top of the Pike29 track.
From the top end, the trail starts with a somewhat unexpected climb for half an hour – at my, now, slow speed having walked an alarming amount of it. You’d think I’d have dropped from the 32 tooth chainring by now, but no – at least getting a smaller one is finally in progress. 32t was manageable when I was in some sort of bike-fit condition and I’m definitely no longer that.
More, possibly even better, goblin forest at the top of the Pike29.
All were waiting for me at the final lookout at the top of the descent.
Finally, the long descent to Pike River – which was the main reason for bring the more-fun (on trail anyway) bike today. Wow, I don’t know of a longer downhill on an intermediate, built trail in the country. Dropping eight hundred metres over seven and a half kilometres, that was fun that continued for twenty+ minutes – little effort to give, I just enjoyed the descent twisting through the forest. For the time of year and location, the trail was remarkably dry (well-built and little used so far) – only getting a bit sticky on the lower parts near streams. An extraordinary trail, both in itself and the memorial aspect of it.
I waited for five minutes at the carpark, time to rest, look around and consider some of what had happened here in the previous fifteen years. Realising, as the slowest one on the road, I was wasting time I began what can only be described as a plod thirty kilometres back to Blackball. With big, slow-on-the-road tyres and little energy to push them it was only twenty-five minutes before I was caught and fairly unceremoniously dropped. The rest of the way being character building and good training for something. Thanks to Ian for picking me up just before the final climb to Blackball! A grand day out on two excellent trails.
Our track continuing across the hill behind the hut.
Food time.
Down to the north branch of the Waikouaiti, and the end of Mt Watkin Rd – no new terrain for me from there. Mt Trotter in background, the road of the same name didn’t quite take me to its upper slopes a couple of years back.
Down to the Waikouaiti outlet at Karitane, left of shot.
Always worth stopping at the turnout at the top of that climb.
Easy climbing for twenty-five minutes.
Time to give the bikes another rest at the summit; usually worth a wander to the lookout.
South over the Flanagan Creek valley.
East to our first sighting of the Aorere River, which we’d follow all the way to Golden Bay.
A fleeting friendship at Aorere Shelter.
Brief stop at the Bainham Store, one day I’ll visit when it is open and poke around all the curious things on display inside.
They seemed to have a complete set.
Our charmed run with the weather continued as the rain threatened but stayed very much in the hills, as we went back to Rockville.
I may have got a bit carried away buying non-freeze-dried ingredients to cook dinner. Somehow everything was squeezed in or strapped on, off we went.
Made it!
How good is this?!
Down to Heaphy mouth.
The trig on top has certainly seen some weather.
Over to the Tubman Range; Heaphy River down in between somewhere.
Can’t stay staring around at the summit all morning, time to head down. Lush.
Back into the forest for a short while as we climbed towards Tasman district.
A small drop, with some trail clearing, took us to these flats beside the Saxon River.
Out into the Gouland Downs section; pleased the rain has stopped, always feels a bit exposed out here.
Here’s another Big River.
Down off one side of the trail…
The caves certainly were not hard to find.
And none too wet, we could walk underneath the trail with dry feet soon popping out on the other side to clamber back up.
Beginning to see how the forest got its moniker.
Follow the water and they’re even easier to find.
Leaving the Downs, another brief spell of jacket wearing.
I had good fun clearing as much as possible as the trail got rockier and more difficult to negotiate.
The briefest of appearances for the afternoon.