Mt Matthews Track

 

Since the big rain of March 2005 the entrance to the track has changed somewhat - now to find the start of the track you have to go to Matthews stream and look for the orange markers (check the map here).  Once there the track will still take you past Baines hut and then back onto the stream bed.  The amount of material washed down in the flood has changed the stream bed into a wide expanse of shingle, so keep your eyes open for the orange track markers.  The Department of Conservation have reestablished the track where it was washed away and thankfully it is only a short while before you are back on the track.  It then climbs steeply and without respite until about the 300mtr mark.  Expect to climb approx. 900mts to the summit of Mt Matthews and allow yourself a good six hours - remember that it takes a relatively fit person 1 hour to climb 300 mtrs and that the temperature will drop about 2 degrees per 300 mtrs.  I found that I drank 1.5ltrs water and was still thirsty.  The track continues to climb steadily after the brief wander along and down the ridge until you meet the branch that leads to the South Saddle of Mt Matthews (this is approx 550 mtrs high).  A short while later the track emerges onto the exposed (windy) ridge that gives good views to the South (Wellington) and West (Kiakoura ranges on a clear day) .  Being careful to avoid the bush lawyer with it's thorns and the nettle bushes with the painful stings, the track continues up the ridge toward the top.  Now the bush is changing to a more sub alpine feel with mountain beech with plenty of lichen.  As the track climbs around it gives great views to the North (toward the Wairarapa) and on the summit itself one can see East over toward Palliser Bay.  Sadly there is no trig point in which to carve your name but in these days of PC that's probably a good thing.