Kaituna Valley    

Sunday 14 September 2025

Murray’s planned walk was from the top of Kaituna Valley to Mt Herbert but as we drove up the valley we decided the brisk, cold southerly wind would make conditions up there unpleasant. Instead, we walked up the Packhorse Track for a sheltered, lazy stay at Packhorse Hut. At 11:30 we had an early lunch while day trippers and stayers arrived. By noon we were on the way down with ample time to admire the valley. Kowhai flowers out-did gorse flowers in volume if not for vividness. The well-trodden track crosses the stream many times lower down but strategic stepping stones kept our boots dry. We were: Murray, Darcy, Joy, Kyungsang and Kerry. P KM