Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Taranaki will be reflected in the surface of the tarns, making for the classic photograph of
the national park.
The track sidles around
Maude Peak
(1220m) then drops southeast into a low saddle at
the base of Henry Peak, 45 minutes from Pouakai Hut. The 152m climb to the top of
Henry
Peak
(1224m) looks more daunting than it is, with most trampers reaching the observation
deck within 20 minutes. It's well worth the modest effort for the 360-degree view.
From the peak the track begins a long, steady descent on a series of steps. Within an hour
you emerge at the edge of Kai Auahi Stream, where you can peer into its gorge. The track
skirts the gorge for another 30 minutes before arriving at Kaiauai Shelter.
This three-sided shelter was built for trampers to wait in when the stream is too flooded to
ford. In normal conditions you can cross it and barely get your boots wet. It's a short, steep
descent into the stream bed and a climb out the other side. There is a proposal to put a
bridge across this stream sometime in the future.
For the next hour the track climbs in and out of a couple of small gorges and two major
ones, with recent track work improving what used to be quite a slog.
Less than 1½ hours from the shelter you reach a signposted junction with Kokowai Track,
which heads southwest up the mountain. You head south (left) and in five minutes arrive at a
swing bridge across the
Waiwhakaiho River
.
On the other side is a junction with Waiwhakaiho Track (left fork), which heads north-
east. You're now less than 30 minutes from North Egmont Rd. Continue south (right) on
Kaiauai Track
as it climbs out of the gorge, passes a signposted junction with
Ram Track
(right fork) and then breaks out on to asphalt at the Kaiauai car park.
North Egmont is 2km - a good 30-minute walk - up the road. The alternative is to follow
Ram Track back to North Egmont, a two-hour walk from its junction with the Kaiauai
Track. Most trampers take the road, knowing they are that much closer to a cold beer at the
Mountain Cafe.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Pouakai Crossing
Duration
1 day
Distance
17km (10.6 miles)
Track Standard
Tramping track
