Waitohu Valley

15 Waitohu Stream

Access: One kilometre north of Otaki on SH1, the road to the Waitohu Valley leads R, and 4.4 km along it is the quarry property at the Waitohu. The old logging road past the quarry leads to Thompson and the Tangata – Mick area.

15.1 Waitohu Stream – Mick QOT

Two routes exist to Mick: that via Waitohu Lodge and Tangata, and the more direct route up Waitohu Stream.

«» Via Waitohu Lodge: Just before the second bridge in the Waitohu, the ridge road to Tangata Maunga turns off R, climbing steadily all the way: a good 2 hours. Waitohu Lodge lies to the R off the ridge and is a private hut. For the remainder of this trip to Mick via Tangata, see 14.1.

«» Up Waitohu Stream: Carrying on up the Waitohu itself, the road to Thompson is passed on the L and, less than an hour from the second bridge, the route to Mick turns off upspur, (NZMS260 S25 995 442). This extraction road becomes a padded route and a 2-hour climb brings the ridge at 860, with Mick to the S beyond. The remains of a WWII Ventura bomber might be seen on the way.

Mick is a slightly confusing knoll, so be sure of your bearings before leaving it. There is an old blazed route towards Tangata, almost an hour from Mick, and another towards Thompson.

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