lake sumner/ taylor/ hurunui river trip

4wdnuts · Post by **4wdnuts** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 8:36 pm

hey everyone. just posting up here to see if anyone is keen on doing a day trip up to lake sumner at some stage soon. i am looking at going all the way up to the swing bridge crossing the hurunui river. because DOC have a locked gate before you even get to lake sumner it would probably have to be a relativly small number of trucks as they only let 10 through a day. even if we dont get that far its still a good day trip to the other lakes and rivers in the area.

theres also heaps of places to stay over night if your keen. so basically at this stage just wondering who would be keen to come. this is a good trip for shineys with a few good places for the more adventurous to try out. so let me know if you guys are keen.

philux · Post by **philux** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 8:54 pm

yeah man id be keen as, went up to the first lake, taylor? got to the locked gate, and had to come home

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:30 am

As long as dates suit, I'll be there as a definite!

fweddy · Post by **fweddy** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 12:33 pm

Might be interested but have a busy schedule

Once I tramped from Taylor to the Swingbridge, another time we took a 2wd Hiace full of people to Loch Katrine and then tramped in to the third hut. Would be keen to drive the whole way for a change

4wdnuts · Post by **4wdnuts** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:20 pm

what dates would suit people? im probably thinking it would have to be in the new year.

wjw · Post by **wjw** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:24 pm

i'm interested, if my trucks been suitably run-in

billyvanboheman · Post by **billyvanboheman** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:45 pm

Also very keen but depends on the dates, after new years suits me, I take it you are thinking of a Sat or Sun.

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 8:58 pm

Was up there about 3 weeks ago on a club trip. DOC only allows max 10 trucks in per day, of this 8 in one club trip.

Check with DOC first before setting dates.

Would be keen late Jan as want a chance to get some fishing in at the same time.

You can also go from Sumner to Lake Mason, depart at Home Bay for a round trip, but would make for one really long day. Best for an overnighter I think. Also you can turn off at Masons Flat and return through Pyramid Valley to Chch, very scenic and comes out at Waipara Gorge.

4wdnuts · Post by **4wdnuts** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:07 pm

thanks for that info pete. yes i am keen to go to lake mason at some stage. do you need to get permission from the farmer up there? ive heard he charges around $20 per truck. i have walked to mason and back and looks like a bit of fun. will probably be lokking in the new year and yes will most likely be on a saturday so people can chooseto stay up there if they choose.

will talk to DOC about numbers going through the gate and will see if we can book something shortly for early in the new year. anyone got a preference of dates?

billyvanboheman · Post by **billyvanboheman** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:21 pm

Any weekend from the 14th and 15th onwards would suit me.
Usual story though, you wont find a weekend that suits everyone so just bite the bullet and call a weekend that suits you, there are enough of us to make it a worthwhile trip.

philux · Post by **philux** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:26 pm

Any weekend from the 14th and 15th onwards would suit me.

Me too

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:01 pm

4wdnuts wrote:thanks for that info pete. yes i am keen to go to lake mason at some stage. do you need to get permission from the farmer up there? ive heard he charges around $20 per truck. i have walked to mason and back and looks like a bit of fun. will probably be lokking in the new year and yes will most likely be on a saturday so people can chooseto stay up there if they choose.

will talk to DOC about numbers going through the gate and will see if we can book something shortly for early in the new year. anyone got a preference of dates?

No charges from farmers through to the swing bridge, but on the Mason side there may be a charge, Elmo should know more about this than me as he has been into Mason before.

Im out of this trip till after 20 Jan as i'll be overseas, bugger it.

One word of caution tho; when you get to the grassed section above Sumner to the swing bridge, try not to cut it up, this is an area DOC and farmers are watching. Just stick to the tracks and all should be fine. There's a swampy section about 1/2 way through this area that provides some action and fun, or just go around it. Will try to post a map of my trails there soon.
There is a track across the river at the swing bridge, but this is pvte land on the other side, so it's best not to go there too.

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:41 am

Ive been camping at lake mason several times, fantastic scenery trip, and fishing. Yes, you do need persmission and $$, it was $50 per vehilce for us, but that was only 1-2 vehicles. Clubs may get discounts. I'll do some digging when back in Chch this week.

Ken

P.s, Im with you Pete on the fishing!

4wdnuts · Post by **4wdnuts** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:17 pm

thanks for all that info. yes i know about the grass area above lake sumner. when the gat was down at the end of last year there were heaps of trucks making there own tracks. the mud bog your talking about it bloddy good fun. looks way worse than it actually was. my mate tried to cross the river at the swing bridge in his surf but hung up on a bolder. water spun him round and had to drive down some rapids to get out. bent uback the gearbox cross member about 120mm! :shock:

he reckoned he got a good back massage on the way home!

will get in contact with DOC about suitable dates. will keep you all posted.

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:24 pm

Ask them also about who has the key to Lake Mason, and also to the property over the river from the Lake.

A trip I would like to do is in through Mason, down to the huranui (one of the branches) cross the river (18 inchs deep maybe) and out through the property on the other side. There are formed tracks there, but still slow going. There is a track through the river, but I wouldnt attempt it alone. Would also require some rock moving maybe.

billyvanboheman · Post by **billyvanboheman** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:01 pm

Still keen, just let me know vehicle requirements when you settle on a date and route, and what costs we are likley to get stung for access :roll:

My daughter has her fishing gear sorted, sounds like I might have to drag mine out and check it.

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:51 am

Elmo wrote:
P.s, Im with you Pete on the fishing!

Well if its late in Jan I will be there.

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:53 am

billyvanboheman wrote:Still keen, just let me know vehicle requirements when you settle on a date and route, and what costs we are likley to get stung for access

My daughter has her fishing gear sorted, sounds like I might have to drag mine out and check it.

You will only need good recovery points for this trip and off road tyres. Its a pretty easy trip with optional mud/ruts etc. Always an alternative for those to opt out if they wish.

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:54 am

Forgot to mention that there are hot pools you can do a short tramp to from the swing bridge if you want too. About 3/4hr walk I understand.

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 6:03 am

Ive spoken to Kiwipete, and we are both good for Sat 20th Jan. (as long as situations dont change)

If we start running into more trucks than are allowed, we will share a wagon also.

Ken

fweddy · Post by **fweddy** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 7:37 am

At that time of year, apart from the bogs up the end you'll get any std shiney with road tyres up there. There were Honda CRVs etc in there in the when we have been there. Our 2wd lwb Hiace got to Loch Katrine and we saw a Mitsi mirage in there plus other standard cars. Prob get further too, just a few issues on clarence.

You could take as many trucks as you like to Katrine and jump in together from the gate on.

Good trip tho, enjoy it (I wont be able to make it on the Sat so won't join, got heaps else I should be doing any way)

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:16 pm

Any progress on finding the ph numbers? Let me know if no luck, Im a bit reluctant to ask the people I know for it, but I will if its the only way.

4wdnuts · Post by **4wdnuts** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:47 pm

at this stage im going to ring doc on monday morning and see what dates we can go up there and ill try and push for the 20th of january. once thats done ill have to get all the details of the trucks etc who are going through the gate.

at this stage i think we should all drive to the gate then all pile into the trucks going through and carry on up to the swing bridge. by the time we stop for lunch etc and have a good play in the mud :twisted:

and then come back it will be a pretty full on day.

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:49 pm

Sounds fantastic. Im going to be out of contact till fri, but count me in. Kiwipete has my details if need be.

4wdnuts · Post by **4wdnuts** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:51 pm

thanks elmo. will make sure i count you guys in.

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 7:07 pm

4wdnuts wrote:at this stage i think we should all drive to the gate then all pile into the trucks going through and carry on up to the swing bridge. by the time we stop for lunch etc and have a good play in the mud and then come back it will be a pretty full on day.

Tis a narrow track at the gate, no parking so best to park up at the Huts at the lake edge.

PR · Post by PR » Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:48 pm

I WANT TO GO????? BUT THE MRS WONT LET ME FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT 12 MONTHS. HAVE TO GET HER TRUCK FIXED AND BUY MY OWN!!!!!

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 6:04 am

Any updates?

4wdnuts · Post by **4wdnuts** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 5:37 pm

yes sorry for the delay. rang DOC last week and they only book a month in advanced. so at this stage im planning on booking for the 20th jan. so all those that are 99% sure they coming please pm me your name, addy, ph number, vehicle reg and make model. i think were limited to about 7 - 8 trucks so first in best dressed. if more people want to come then im sure there will be plenty of spare seats to fill.

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:05 pm

PM sent,