Pouakai Circuit, Kokowhai To Kaiawai tracks

While climbing Taranaki Maunga from Carrington ridge a year ago I spotted a new track line on the Pouakais leading from Henry peak down over the minor peaks to the north of Ahukawakawa and then up one of the ridge lines to join the Holly hut track. I had often looked at this route in the past thinking that would be a great place for a track and now it looked like DOC had cut a new track presumably for conservation management.

Around March last year I climbed Henry peak via the Kaiawai track and attempted to find the Henry peak end of this new track but to no avail.

A couple of days ago I had another attempt but this time in reverse taking the Kokowhai track up to the Holly hut track. I had some good close up photos showing where the track line intercepted the Holly hut track so was fairly confident I could find this end of the track which I eventually did though it was not at all obvious and I had to double back a couple of times before I picked up the trail and then about 10m off the Holly hut track found the cut track line leading towards Henry peak. DOC try to keep the starting points for these conservation tracks hidden to prevent inexperienced trampers taking these rough cut track lines and then getting into trouble.

I hadn't been up the Kokowhai track for a long time. I had been put off taking this track in the past from rumours that it was badly maintained and seriously eroded in places however I found it in good condition with a detour off the ridge line around the worst slip. I had set off at 6:00am to get a good start in the cool of the morning and had a very enjoyable 2 hr tramp up the track to join the Holly hut track with great views of both the Taranaki and the Pouakais once I cleared the bush.

A dramatic view of Taranaki against some high cloud from the Kokowhai ridge track.

Looking across to the Pouakais from the Kokowhai track.  Note the large number of dead Pahuatea (Mountain Cedar) as a result of possum damage.

A temporary hut has been set up where the Kokowhai track joins the Holly hut track for the work crew who are busy upgrading the track from Jacobs ladder to Holly hut. After chatting to the work crew I set about finding the start of the track across to Henry peak, eventually finding it after back tracking a couple of times.

The track was roughly cut but quite easy going as it descended down a gentle slope towards the northern end of Ahukawawa and the ridge line leading up over some minor peaks to Henry peak. The track soon descended into an ancient pahaatea (mountain cedar) forest with sadly many dead or half dead trees due to possum damage. Most of these trees are bowed over to the north east as a result of the prevailing south west winds on this side of the mountain.

The northern end of the Pouakais With Henry and Maude peak rising above the Pahautea forest. If you look closely you can see the track line following the ridge line over the minor peaks in the foreground.

The Pouakai ranges rising up above the great swamp Ahukawawa.

Henry peak beneath a Pahautua

The summit of Taranaki Maunga with a couple of Pahautea in the foreground.

In several places the track was carpeted with small white wild flowers. I had to tread carefully to avoid crushing them.

After a couple of minor stream crossings the track reaches the base of the ridge leading to Henry peak and then climbs steeply up. the small peaks at the north end of Ahukawakwa (the great swamp). This part of the track is hard going and haerd work under the full summer sun but the views were rewarding with the whole expanse of  Ahukawakawa spread out beneath the Pouakais and the Maunga dominating the view to the south.

A 180deg panorama with Taranaki Maunga, the dome and Pouakais and the great swamp Ahukawakawa.

Taranaki Maunga from part way up the ridge line

The panoramic view from the minor peak below Henry peak. Peaks from right are Henry, Maude, The Hump, Kiri and Pouakai with Taranaki Maunga to the right and a great view over Ahukawakawa. Istopped here to have some morning tea while enjoying this view.

Looking back at Taranaki Maunga. The panorama above was taken from the top of the minor peak in the foreground.

After climbing the small peak below Henry peak, the track descended steeply before starting the steep climb up the side of Henry peak. I wouldn't want to do this track in the wet when it was muddy - it was hard enough when it was bone dry. After winding up through a rocky part of the ridge the track emerged onto the upper ridge line of Henry peak rising gently through the tussock and hebes until it eventually joined the Kaiawai track just down from the summit of Henry peak. The last 10m weren't cut and were just a barely discernable trail through the hebes. No wonder I couldn't find this track when I looked for it last year. I had been looking in slightly the wrong place and the track was impossible to see unless you knew exactly where to start.

Looking down over Ahukawakawa towards the main massif of the Pouakais from part way up Henry peak.

Looking back to Taranaki Maunga from part way up Henry peak.

From Henry peak I took the Kaiawai track back to the waiwhakaio car park completing the circuit in approx 7hrs.

A beautiful little forest stream that you cross on the Kaiawai track.

I really enjoyed this tramp. Great views from the ridge line below Henry peak with the track passing through several areas of unique vegetation. This is a route for experienced and well equipped trampers only. It was hard going on a fine day. Some sections of this track would be treacherous and dangerous in the wet.