Paparoa track Day 1

We set alarm for 6am and were up in the dark getting ready. We were on the shuttle ready to go at 7.45. Pete was the driver and gave us a commentary along the way. Our group of 6 were only ones on shuttle. He stopped at Runanga Miners union hall, talked about the various mines, mining disasters. Stopped at toilets in Blackball before driving up to SmokeHo carpark. Many changes and upgrades since I was last there 15 years ago.
It was cold but fine and we were in the shade most of the day. Track went down to start with then gradual up. Morning tea stop at 2nd hotel site with frost on table.
We did side trip to historic Garden gully hut. It took us 5 hours to get to Ces Clark hut which is just above bushline in sun. We met the 2 hut wardens for our first 2 huts who were ebiking in.
We relaxed at hut and watched sunset with amazing views. Hut warden Rachel came in and had several long chats with us.
The hut has solar lights, phone charger, cell phone reception, 2 new toilets with toilet paper, hand sanitiser.
We are the only ones in hut so all get bottom bunk. Has new double glazed windows since last here. Hut was super clean as warden had just given it a good spruce up, even scented toilet deoderisers. The cleanest hut toilets I've ever seen.Read more