Trip 028 - Silver Peaks River Track

 

DATE: January 29, 2023
LEADER: Antony Pettinger (with Arthur Blondell) 03 473 7924
TRIP GRADE: M (5-7 hours)
MEET: Woodhaugh, 8am

The Silver Peaks remains the OTMC’s most visited tramping area, with many enjoyable trips since the first OTC trip to the area in October 1923.
While trips to the ‘interior’ have been common, the South Waikouaiti had been generally limited to trips to Possum Hut and Yellow Spur / Tunnels Track (and the occasional trip straight down the river). The OTMC had promoted the creation of a track in the South Waikouaiti between Possum Hut and the Tunnels track, most recently when agreeing to the removal of Yellow Hut.

The installation of the Philip J. Cox Memorial Hut has been a well-received addition to the scenic reserve. This has led to what has been tentatively named ‘the River Track’ linking the upper South Waikouaiti with all the side ridges on both sides of the valley all the way through to Phil Cox hut. Full credit for the track is due to the South Branch sub-group of the Green Hut Track Group, led by longtime OTMC member, Arthur Blondell.

The River Track has completed the Silver Peaks track network, and with the two huts a round trip of 2-3 days can be completed without the road walk along Mountain Road. The OTMC has published a map showing all the tracks in the area, and this has seen 1000’s of downloads from the club website.

The first ‘official’ OTMC trip from the official Semple Rd carpark to Philip J. Cox Memorial Hut via the new tracks was on August 6, 2017, led by Antony Hamel. For this 2023 trip, we will be accompanied by Arthur Blondell – a trip along the track with Arthur is special as he can explain the philosophy and issues of the work he has done, and the improvements that continue to be made for all trampers benefit.

The trip will descend to the valley via the re-routed Gold Miners Direct Track (very pleasant), and then head to Phil Cox Hut for lunch. We will return to Mountain Road via the infamous Tunnels Track (we will do a vehicle shuffle, so no need to walk along the road). 

Link to OTMC River Track Map/Guide