Upper Nihotupu & Lower Huia Reservoirs

We are going to Upper Nihotupu Reservoir in the Waitakere Ranges for a walk to Upper Nihotupu Dam and a loop hike to the top of Lower Huia Reservoir. Highlights include two reservoirs, a dam, a tramline, waterfalls, and a variety of native forest.

Distance: 10-12km
Duration: About 4½ hours (including stops)
Difficulty: Average (3 on 1-5 scale of difficulty for day hikes we do). Walk to dam is flat and easy, mainly on Watercare road. Hike loop includes some Watercare roads near Lower Huia Reservoir, and some rough hilly tramping tracks that are likely to be muddy at this time of year.

Maps:

• Hand drawn map of route (http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/1/4/f/highres_42924911.jpeg)
• NZ Topo Map of area (http://www.nztopomaps.com/-36.955036,174.565630,13,Map,100) (zoom in for closer look)

Hike Route Description: (see map (http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/1/4/f/highres_42924911.jpeg))

• Start on track at rear of carpark to Upper Nihoputu Dam.
• Turn left onto Upper Nihoputu Dam Road.
• Follow road across bridge, alongside reservoir to dam.
• Walk across top of dam and up track on other side.
• Turn left onto Summit Track.
• At 4-way junction, turn right onto Hamilton Track.
• At Crusher Pipe Track junction, turn left short distance.
• At Smiths Road (can optionally turn left and return walk to tunnel), turn right to bridge over Lower Huia Reservoir.
• At Huia Dam Road, turn right.
• Continue straight past Crusher Pipe Track on right.
• Turn right onto Christies Track.
• Follow this all the way back to the dam, straight past Summit Track on right near end.
• Walk back across dam, then turn right down road to tramline terminal.
• Walk along tramline to base of dam and up steps back to top.
• Walk same way back to carpark from dam.

Meeting Places:

• We will be Meeting at Victoria Park New World (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/pages/Meeting_at_Victoria_Park_New_World), and arranging carpooling from there.
• Then we will drive to Upper Nihotupu carpark which is on Piha Road, about 2km from the start of Piha Road on the left. See directions here (http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=Scotland+St&daddr=-36.8536628,174.7573441+to:-36.89885,174.68282+to:Piha+Rd&hl=en&ll=-36.892252,174.675751&spn=0.250965,0.429153&sll=-36.886898,174.68605&sspn=0.062745,0.107288&geocode=FS28zf0dLXxqCg%3BFWKozf0d4JVqCimBX2UY7EcNbTHQpuAGYe8AEw%3BFd73zP0dxHJpCimflz14NkENbTHwWIwGYe8AEw%3BFfllzP0d9I1nCg&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=13&via=1,2&t=h&z=11).
  (Best if most people meet at New World first, but if this is too far out of your way then okay to go straight to Upper Nihotupu - just let us know.)

Time Guideline:

• 09:15 - Good time to arrive at New World, meet and greet
• 09:30 - Latest time to arrive at New World, arrange carpooling
• 09:35 - Leave New World by now
• 10:00 - Good time to arrive at Upper Nihotupu if going straight there
• 10:15 - All at Upper Nihotupu carpark by now, introductions
• 10:30 - Start hike
• 15:00 - Approx finish hike, go to Elevation Cafe (optional)
• 16:30 - Approx return to Auckland

Bring:

• lunch and drink
• winter clothing
• footwear suitable for tramping tracks
• rain protection
• plastic bags for muddy boots
• first-aid items
• money ($10 if carpool passenger + optional extra for cafe after hike)

Notes:
(1) We did this hike 4 years ago on 26 Aug 2007 (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/events/6024890/).
(2) 9:30am is the latest time to arrive at New World and 10:15am is the latest time to arrive at Upper Nihotupu carpark if going straight there. We'll aim to leave New World and start hike exactly on time. Arriving early is good :-)
(3) We'll aim to hike together as a group with stops at junctions along the way, but there's no guarantee this will happen so prepare for this hike as best you can (study maps and description).
(4) We'll walk at our usual moderate pace with stops at places of interest along the way.
(5) After the hike we can stop at Elevation Cafe for refreshments on our way back to Auckland.

See you there :-)