Thread: Branch/Leatham 4WD and Hunting

Heading South in two weeks and have a Ute and spare weekend. I was planning to head up the Leatham and maybe hunt Barber Creek up to Waihopai Saddle. Other option is cross over from Top Gordon hut.

What is the Branch River level on the MDC website that makes the 4WD crossing ok. I have a decent Hilux but no Snorkel. Is below 15m3 ok?

Also any advice on creeks that have good tops access or nice grass would be good. I don’t mind a decent walk and will take my bivvy bag if it’s fine.

Heading down the Rakaia next and maybe Hopkins for a look.

Thanks

@Shearer ??

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As long as there has been no rain for a few days all crossings are able to be crossed. I get up easy in my unmodified, no snorkel Terrano. As soon as rain hits most of the fords are un usable. They are short and steep, having the dam in the valley really makes it tricky.
I'm not sure on cumecs for that valley though.

I think you are about right with 15 m3 flow. I was up the Branch a few weeks back and the river was very low (about 5 m3 from memory) and that was shin deep.
There is one creek crossing about half way to Greigs hut that is getting a bit sketchy. Steep drop into it and a bit of a hole developing at the bottom. Took me a couple of goes to get out of it last time I was in there in my SWB Mistral. If you go to Greigs (nice hut to stay in) you can carry on up Mt Morris to the tops (I saw a good Chamois buck up there a few weeks back) or carry on up the river to Siberia or Bottom Misery. Some nice fish in the river if you fish.
Can't help with the Leatham sorry. I haven't driven up there for a year or so but Wye creek is worth a look. Not far to drive in if the river is up.
You will love the Hopkins. Beautiful valley.

Somebody posted on here that 10 m3 was safe flow rate.

Interested in these valleys, maybe next year for me.
In Christchurch/ Oxford towards Kaikoura in a couple of weeks so hoping to have a catch up with a couple of forum members.

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Thanks - currently 73M3 so will need to come down a bit by the sounds!

Had a solid week of rain, a few days dry then more rain this weekend. Will take 5-6 days for levels to drop.

Plenty of rain lately mate once it settles it should drop quick.

You got a trout license, lake argyle is worth a crack if you do. Tasty fish in there



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Yeah I love trout fishing and will definitely take a spinning and fly rod. Thanks for the tip ! Beautiful colour on those fish.

Might pay to get out and inspect each crossing, tossing boulders and rocks out of the way so as not to bash up the underside of your truck, after rains they wash all through the crossings. A week or so of no or little rain and all the Leatham crossings are easy. In the evenings on the main river bed I’ve been getting a few deer just quietly walking down the grassy margins with a light breeze in my face. Too much wind and they don’t seem to come out much in the river beds

Originally Posted by PillowDribbler

Somebody posted on here that 10 m3 was safe flow rate.

I was told 11 m3 anything over that wouldnt attempt without a snorkel.Last time i was up there it was shin deep but rarely go up there.

Years ago I was caught in there. Went in with fine weather which turned after a couple nights. On the way out we got through the two top crossings ok. From memory the water was above the axle on the first, above the wheel in the second. It was dark when we got to the last. There was another truck there so we had a go. Started ok until the flow turned us upstream and the front wheels dug in. Water up the windscreen and coming through the firewall and vents and stalled, no snorkel but the intake at the firewall instead of the headlight. Clutch in turned it over slamming into reverse. Managed to back out with a cloud of white smoke. We stayed the night in the hut. Next morning was fine and made the crossing with the level only just over axle high. We were pretty lucky, blew most fuses while submerged. No engine damage either. Those crossings are pretty unforgiving and rise and fall within hours. The measurements probably don't really tell you what's going on up there. The weather forecast is probably more important.

Was about 12m3 before going in and I got the Hilux up to Bottom Gordons. A few tricky crossings with the boulders but not too bad. A great place for an explore.

Went for a big walk and fly camped out back. Saw a few Chamois and deer and will write a report when I have time.