Thread: Hopkins valley

Looking at heading up the Hopkins lunchtime Friday out Saturday arvo weathers been ok down here but was wondering what its like getting to monument hut in a 4wd ? Don't like risking it on my own.

Would ideally stay in red hut but would be good avoiding the main flow unless its really low I guess?
Any advice appreciated!

Following with interest....

Have you got recovery gear for your 4WD if things do go wrong?

Bring paddles or an outboard.

Stayed at Monument two years ago and if the track hasn't changed much you will get there easily in anything with moderate off road ability. The same goes from Monument to the start of the Hopkins valley track. Red hut requires crossing the main river and we didn't attempt that but others were. The Hopkins is a beautiful valley. Enjoy.

Monument hut access is generally fairly tame for any half-decent 4wd (have heard of some total soft-roaders getting there in summer, but would only be when dry and with a suitably competent driver)

This info is all a few years old, from when I was last in there -
You don't have to cross the river or really do much more than basic stream crossings to get to Monument. From memory, there are a few pretty swampy sections that after a big dump of rain might sort the road tyres from the ATs and MTs. A couple through the scrub along the fenceline that can't really be avoided, and one out in the open a little more, that you can divert around the high side, and skip most of it.

Like any 4wding, give it a whirl, but exercise caution. 2 minutes on foot can save 2hrs with a shovel..

Red hut is a different story entirely, and involves crossing right across the main channels of the river. The first crossing as you leave monument is generally pretty safe and firm underneath, and you can see your line alright. If you cross the first one, you can make it to the mouth of the Huxley without getting your wheels wet again, and save a bit of walking.. Not sure about the second crossing over by Red hut.. Best with a snorkel for tackling these though.

@StrikerNZ great info, what are the huts like? Wood fire and 6bunks?

Guy from doc said monument should be easy in the hilux, looks like bunks and a fire cheers for all the info guys

Look on the doc website. Maps and info there too.

I went to red hut in june and there was a Subaru Legacy at monument hut! If you go early in the morning there is less risk of getting stuck in mud because its all frozen. Good luck

Yip, couple of years since I was last there but sometimes you can get a Subaru to Monument (or pretty close at least) if you don't mind scraping the belly in a few places. Depends what the side streams have been doing, IIRC there are a couple of gravel fans to cross which can cut up too badly for a car if the streams have been up. Any half decent 4wd should be fine in normal conditions.

Crossing the main flow further up is done often enough but needs a bit more caution, I know a few guys who have drowned trucks in that river... one of them went in deep enough for his drink bottle to float out the drivers window.

Monument Hut is an old FS type six bunker and very easy to drive to so sees a lot of people pass through and a lot of overnight stays by groups getting away from town. Not a place you would want to base yourself for hunting.



Over on the true left bank of the Hopkins is Red Hut which is an awesome old hut with so much history



Further up the valley at the confluence of Elcho Stream and the Hopkins is the NZ Alpine Club hut Elcho on the true right of the stream, which is open to all, with a donation box to help with up keep.



On the true left of Elcho Stream at the confluence with the Hopkins is an old FS hut named Cullers which was built in 1966. Sadly it sees little use.

@Simon Gibson
Nice to see someone can use a Camera - G8 pics

Nice Pic's , never been there but sure looks a nice place to be.

Monument is a piece of cake. Highway tyres will get you in there fine. No crossings to worry about. A few ruts and bumpy bits to negotiate but in a normal 4wd not a problem. All of the "big" water holes are hard underneath, so you don't need to skirt way out around them like everyone else does and make massive wide mud holes. The first crossing past monument is fine, unless there's a bit of water flowing, then you might want to take it easy. There are well worn tracks up the riverbed to the other huts, there are multiple vehicles in there weekly. Just follow your way up the existing trails up the river bed, don't try anything silly and you will be fine. If the river is milky and fast flowing don't cross, and if in doubt, walk it first. It is a stunning valley. You can glass from the river bed and plan your days/weekends hunting from there. Have fun.

Those huts have certainly been dollied up goin by those pics,some great memories from the Hopkins and Dobson areas.
My culling mate at the time was looking after 5 guys and was based at Monument doing track work. Monument was close to being flattened
by falling trees in a storm once.