Mount Rowe

Descargada 40 veces

 -37.06587511, 175.66799205  -37.06614266, 175.66845641

No
993 m	801 m
960 m	161 m

			Total
	5.08 km	4.96 km	10.04 km
	2h 34min 51s	2h 5min 47s	4h 40min 38s
	1.97 km/h	2.36 km/h	2.15 km/h

  Descargar track gps

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

This track goes up to the top of Mount Rowe (794 m), following the Moss Creek Track from the DOC, but about 600 meters before getting to the campsite it takes a left turn on to the Mount Rowe Track.

This hike starts at the road-end car park, where there is also a campsite and some toilets. Some other campsites are also on the way to this place. This is a very popular place for people following the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail to go up to The Pinnacles (773 m).

To get to the beginning of Moss Creek Track you need to walk for about 1.5 kilometers on the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail before you find the left turn to take the Moss Creek Track.

Once on Moss Creek Track the first thing you will notice is that is very different from the popular Kauaeranga Kauri Trail. Moss Creek Track is a lot narrower, not very well maintained and the vegetation is quite overgrown. You won't see many people on this track.

Along the first kilometre you will be crossing 3 or 4 rivers. I barely got my boots wet but if it has been raining in the last few hours or days things could be very different. Also consider this since you will have to cross these rivers on your way down.

The last part of Moss Creek Track gets much steeper and you will surely be using your hands.

After about 3 kilometers on Moss Creek Track you encounter the signpost indicating left to Mount Rowe track. This last track is only about 600 meters but it's a lot harder than Moss Creek Track. It is not steep at all but there are lots of fallen trees and the vegetation is so overgrown. I don't think this track has received any maintenance for several years. I lost the track several times. Sometimes it took me quite a long time to find the next DOC orange marker. Luckily there are orange markers all the way to the summit. I found another intrepid hiker coming down when I was on my way to the summit and she also told me she got lost several times. Both of us were carrying a GPS. You can get into serious trouble if you don't carry one.

One step at a time, one yellow marker at a time I managed to get to the top. There is a trig point at the summit in a small cleared area. The views are not that great but at least you have direct view to The Pinnacles.

My initial idea was to continue to Table Mountain (846 m) but after seeing and experiencing how difficult it was to get to this summit I completely abandon my idea. Not only that but also there is no existing track to get to Table Mountain so no orange markers so even harder. The girl I found on my way up also told me that the way to Table Mountain is a swamp since it's quite flat. That's another heavy reason for abandoning my initial plans.

Going back, trying to join Moss Creek Track turned out to be as challenging as the way up. Maybe I even got lost more times. Later on the track I saw again the girl from before and she told me it took her 30 minutes longer to get out than to get to the top.

Once back to Moss Creek Track you feel you are on a highway. The overgrown vegetation here or the narrow track is nothing compared to the one you just got out from.

In summary, take this track if you are up for a good challenge and don't feel like taking the crowded Kauaeranga Kauri Trail to The Pinnacles. Set your expectations right, the reward here is the challenge and not the views from the top.