25/03/2026. Post Office Creek from Mahinerangi Dam end. Grade 3. Hikers. Leaders: Peter Dodds and Barbara Shackell.
It was a lovely day for our 18 intrepid hikers on the Mahinerangi Track. Unfortunately, due to a lack of maintenance towards the end of the track, we didn’t quite make it to the old school house. I have forwarded photos and a report to Wenita who will organise maintenance to be done to reopen the track.
It was quite a long windy trip out through Waipori Falls, but well worth it when we got to the power station picnic area for morning tea. Sun was shining, no wind and plenty of bird song.
For many, it was their first time visiting the area. We travelled over the bridge at the Mahinerangi Dam and into the forestry, managing to get three vehicles down to the start of the track. There were some impressive driving skills demonstrated to do 12 point turns on a skinny gravel road to head back up the hill. The track was generally flat and soft under foot, especially where the pigs had been rotary hoeing the ground. After about 1hr 40 we stopped for lunch at a lovely peaceful spot, looking out over the lake.
The return trip seemed pretty quick, maybe the constant chatter kept our minds busy. The road trip back took us around through the Mahinerangi fishing village, up to Lee Stream and back on the main road to Outram for an ice-cream. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the chilled day and it was nice to go somewhere new, that is not normally easily accessible. Wenita were excellent to deal with to get the permit and key sorted. They called the day before the hike to tell me that due to logging truck activity, I needed to come and pick up a radio to communicate our position on the forestry roads. I was so tempted to message “ Big Ben this is the Rubber Duck and we have a convoy” but didn’t want to get in trouble when I got back to the office. A great day out and well worth the effort, and thanks to Barbara for helping out as my tail end Charlie.
Peter
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.