I headed deep into the bush near Nikau Creek and followed a tributary.
Today I ventured into an area I have visited many times, which I refer to as the Nikau Creek Plateau. As the name suggests, it is a relatively flat, elevated area beside Nikau Creek. Its appeal is straightforward. Within about ten minutes of leaving the car, you are immersed in scenic native bush. The plan for the day was to follow a small tributary up the steep eastern side of the valley and, once above it, assess what features might exist higher up that might be worth exploring.
I began following the tributary and it quickly steepened, carving a narrow, confined gully. Several trees had fallen into and across the creek, creating a series of obstacles that required scrambling under, over, and around them. Before long, the creek became choked with dense supplejack. Rather than lose time forcing a route through it, I climbed out of the gully and began ascending the hillside where the vegetation was more sparsely spaced.
I eventually reached the ridgeline and, to my surprise, came across what appeared to be an old track. It may have been a geological survey track cut decades ago when a third dam in Reservoir Valley was being considered. The track was still discernible, with sections of bare ground underfoot, flanked by gorse and mānuka, typical of long abandoned routes.
I followed this track further into the hills as it climbed along the ridgeline toward McKerrow Ridge. In time, I reached the head of the gully I had started from, but I continued along the ridge. Shortly after, the track faded away and the gradient steepened considerably. I doubted the track continued much further and decided not to push on through the scrub. Light rain had also set in, reinforcing the decision to turn back.
I kept an eye out for a potential lookout, knowing the views from this narrow ridge would likely be excellent. Reservoir Valley lay to the east, while Nikau Creek Gully stretched out to the west with Hine Road and beyond. Unfortunately, the forest canopy was too dense to offer unobscured views, so I settled for taking a few photographs within the bush as I made my way back down the steep hillside.
Eventually I dropped back onto the plateau and headed home via Nikau Creek Track and the Gums Loop Walk.
