Offroad-Express

The Maratoto trails are now open and the main trail is in good shape. There are some soft bits still where care will be needed to avoid unnecessary damage.

People are reminded that the Loop trail is tough and will cause vehicle damage. A winch is needed. The Loop exit gate must be pulled shut to deter casual entry by unprepared people.

This is an area maintained by the 4x4 community and a donation of $10 per vehicle is requested to help with costs. There is a yellow box on the corner of Wires and Maratoto roads.

In extreme weather or because of trail damage, the gate may be closed, so check the gate status before travelling by calling the information service on 027 5242132

Good news ! !

Sweet, going for a skid up there on Saturday

Whats the combination for the loop gate again???? We would like to pop down to the river and back

DieselBoy wrote:Sweet, going for a skid up there on Saturday

Whats the combination for the loop gate again???? We would like to pop down to the river and back

saturday ? ? you dont want me to come or something ?

hmmm... tim and i might be keen if we are welcome? he got his surf certed this week!

At present there is no lock on the Loop gate and we are simply asking users to pull it shut to deter ill prepared visitors... I did wince at the suggestion of 'having a skid up there'!
The Loop trail section beyond the gate is still rather soft where the digger worked last season and has some damage from motorcycle use, so if it is not essential, it would be good to let that still dry more before it's used too much. Treat the trails with care and we might not have to spend money on repairs and instead be able to afford to one day actually improve the options for 4x4 use.
Mud entering waterways is our enemy and only by keeping control on that will DOC and Environment Waikato allow us to continue to enjoy the area.

Yeah, sorry skid=Buller 4x4 club slang for going for a drive, it still hasn't warn off We are excited that its open, its "the best 4wheel drive track in the country" and are looking forward to a leasurly scienic drive up there, have a picnic and wander back down.

As always, we will be taking rocks from the river up with us, and as always stop and fix water tables and drains if we able with the tools we carry.

Excited!!!!

DieselBoy wrote:Yeah, sorry skid=Buller 4x4 club slang for going for a drive, it still hasn't warn off We are excited that its open, its "the best 4wheel drive track in the country" and are looking forward to a leasurly scienic drive up there, have a picnic and wander back down.

As always, we will be taking rocks from the river up with us, and as always stop and fix water tables and drains if we able with the tools we carry.

Excited!!!!

hey DB - I haven't been up there - how long does it take up to the gate and back

Brent, how long is a piece of string? The time to travel to the Tairua River crossing can vary according to weather and general conditions... including that of the vehicles. It is just under 7km to that point from the gate at the start. It is not a trail to be hurried as there are no guard rails and only a thin veneer of ti-tree disguising some interesting drops in several places. (the trail follows the lip of an old volcanic crater for much of the way.)

It is the intention to eventually signpost some of the walking routes to a few of the remnants of the area's history.

The 'Loop' trail that starts beyond the Tairua River, is about 6km long and again travel times vary. Some are in there for days. The Loop will leave it's mark on any vehicles to attempt it and a winch should be part of a vehicles equipment.

Peter

BrentC wrote:

DieselBoy wrote:Yeah, sorry skid=Buller 4x4 club slang for going for a drive, it still hasn't warn off We are excited that its open, its "the best 4wheel drive track in the country" and are looking forward to a leasurly scienic drive up there, have a picnic and wander back down.

As always, we will be taking rocks from the river up with us, and as always stop and fix water tables and drains if we able with the tools we carry.

Excited!!!!

hey DB - I haven't been up there - how long does it take up to the gate and back

Two weekends ago when we were up there, it was still quite wet so we were taking it easy, we had four well set up trucks, and the track condidtion is excellent. It took us an hour up the main track as far as the Tairua river (lunch stop), then we headed back down to the loop gate and followed the loop track down to the River again. From the gate up to the decent down to the river is easy going due to the track work that has been done in there last summer, the decent down to the river is certainly entertaining

Visited Maratoto today to plant out 100 Kahikatea saplings with members of Manukau 4WD Club and found a trail that is being used hard. There had been rain overnight but we found some parts of the trail that may not take too much more use until we get some drier weather. The work done last year below ABC rock is being chewed up and will need a lot of rock to harden it or else a temporary closure to allow drying. Before you travel to Maratoto check 027 5242132 to find out if the gate is open.

Don't forget too that all the work is funded through your $10 donations.

I received advice late today 14-11-08 that there is a mining survey crew working at Maratoto around the Tairua River/ Loop area. Caution is needed as they have a number of cables laid out around the place. DOC are not stopping 4x4 use of the trails but do suggest taking care.