Trip 069 - Gold Miners Direct - Possum Hut - Green Hut Site - Green Ridge

 

DATE: July 9, 2023 (Sunday)
LEADER: Sharon Bretherton (027 362 1220)
TRIP GRADE: E (3-5 Hours)
MEET: Woodhaugh, 9am

The history of Possum Hut in the Silver Peaks would benefit by further research to understand more about goldmining activity in the South Branch of the Waikouaiti River. As Arthur Blondell has wended his way down the valley building the River Track, he has identified two eras of goldmining activity, the 1870s and the 1930s.

It appears Possum Hut comes from the latter period, the 1930s, and was built by Joe Clark and Philip Powell to use as a base. The hut today is very derelict (noted as ‘historic’ on the LINZ map). The features you would expect to find in a hut have been missing for many years, as have the beer bottles used in the window.

Possum Track is first mentioned in the OTC trip programmes in 1963, and the first time the hut is mentioned is 1968 as part of a weekend circuit around the Silver Peaks Huts – Pyramid (near the Chalkies) / Poplar (Mt Allan) / Mt John / Jubilee / Green / Possum Huts.

This trip is a short circuit that appears to have moderate use – it does provide a safe option to explore the Silver Peaks without venturing up to the tops.

The Gold Miners Direct Track provides wonderful access to the head of the South Waikouaiti valley.

After visiting Possum Hut it is a steep climb to the former Green Hut site. A traverse along Green Ridge completes the loop.