Ernie's Loop (Hunua Ranges)

👓 Description:
Kia Ora, everyone - on 11th October (sat), we are going to hike at Ernie's loop. Ernies and Lilburn track will provide a mixture of bush and open vistas in this part of the Hunua Ranges. This loop walk passes through the Piggott's campground and includes river crossing.
─────
🕒 Duration: up to 5.0-5.5 hours hike & explore, including stops.
📏 Estimated distance: 15 km (in total).
🧗🏻 Estimated total ascent: Approx. 580m.
🚶 SPEED: medium - we plan a few stops Piggots, Peak and River. Everyone will need to be able to reasonably keep up with the group or the may be asked to return to the car park (from Piggots).
💪 DIFFICULTY: 3.0 on our 1-5 scale.
☀️ Sunset time: 19:37
🤷‍♀️ If you RSVP, then if you are not able to go. Please Change RSVP to NO as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may be marked "no show", 3 "no show" and you will be stopped from attending for 6 months.
─────
🌏 Online topo map:
Online Topo Map
─────
🥾 HIKE DETAILS:
This loop walk passes through Piggott’s Campground and includes a crossing of the Mangatangi River. While the distance, gradient, unformed terrain and ground conditions won’t trouble regular hikers, it is still a full outing. Liburn Road begins with a steady 4 km gravel climb to Piggott’s Hut and camp, before the track enters the bush where tree roots, mud and wet underfoot conditions are common. From here the route continues to climb and undulate until reaching the high point of 497 m, before consistently descending along a ridge-line track to the Mangatangi River, where wet feet are almost guaranteed unless you remove your footwear and attempt a barefoot crossing. Beyond the river the track becomes a more lush bush trail, traversing the western shore of the Mangatangi Dam, before finally rejoining a gravel road for the last stretch back to the carpark.
─────
🚾TOILETS:
At the carpark.
─────
🚩REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND:
-- Be a member of Moa Social Hiking.
-- Follow our instructions based on safety concern and team management procedures.
-- Be able to walk back to the carpark with the group.
-- NO JEANS, GUESTS, CHILDREN, ANIMALS OR SMOKERS.
-- Agreed with the RSVP questions.
─────
🅿 MEETING PLACE:
CARPARK
─────
🚗☎️TRANSPORT AND CARPOOLING:
Carpooling is recommended due to the high price of fuel. Please comment when you rsvp whether you need a 1) lift / can offer lifts , 2) which part of Auckland you come from and 3) your mobile number ( optional ) ;
Make sure your meetup private message is available to communicate and check it regularly;
$20/person recommended to pay for the driver.
─────
🔔 TIME GUIDELINE:
09:15 - Good time to arrive at the carpark, meet & greet.
09:25 - Latest time to arrive at the carpark and get ready.
09:26- Introduction.
09:30 - Approx start hike.
15:00 - Approx finish hike.
15:30 - The Beer Spot, Papakura (optional)
or 16:30 - return to Auckland.
─────
💼 BRING:
✔️At least 2L drinking water.
✔️Lunch or snack food.
✔️Footwear suitable for stony & rocky surface.
✔️Sun & rain protection.
✔️Bags for wet and dirty footwear & clothing.
✔️warm clothing for the winter hike.
✔️First-aid items (at least for cuts and scratches).
─────
✍🏻 PREPARATION:
It is important to be well prepared. Before we meet:
👉Know how to get to all meeting places.
👉Study hike details & map well.
👉Prepare everything you need to bring.
👉If you are the driver, have car refueled or recharged ready to go.
👉 Find and confirm your driver(passengers) whether they go to the pub or going home directly after the hike.
─────
🦺HEALTH & SAFETY:
Our hiking activities come with some hazard & risks; our organizers are volunteers. By RSVP’ing you accept full responsibilities for your own safety.
─────
🍕🍔🍰🍟🍻After hike option:
After our hike , we invite you to join us for our enjoyable socializing afternoon tea @ The beer spot.

⚠️ Alcohol will be available on the day.
─────
📝ADDITIONAL NOTES:
⚠️ Hiking boots is strongly recommended for stony & muddy surface;
⚠️ Safety first: Safety is the most important CONCERN at ANYTIME;
⚠️Be on time;
⚠️Keen to communicate with other hikers and being a part of the group;
⚠️Hiking pole is recommended.
─────
💰Koha: A small gold coin gift of contribution ($2 - $5) will be greatly appreciated to buy safety gear and to cover for the track safety control assessment expenses. For those wishing to contribute directly, here is the bank account: 12-3034-0594293-000 (Moa Social Hikings) - Thank you.
─────
📸 Instagram photos:
We will select 5 the most iconic photos and upload on our Instagram account, please follow us @ INSTAGRAM.
─────
Looking forward to seeing you all 😊.

Team of Moa Social Hiking