Thread: Mathias river 4wd advice

Hi all,
After a bit of advice on heading up the Mathias, was thinking going over from double hill to Manuka point, then sticking on the true right? What’s the likely hood of making it to about Mathias hut and walk from there. Any pointers would be useful
Cheers

Originally Posted by High Country Boy

Hi all,
After a bit of advice on heading up the Mathias, was thinking going over from double hill to Manuka point, then sticking on the true right? What’s the likely hood of making it to about Mathias hut and walk from there. Any pointers would be useful
Cheers

Think the rivers still a bit high to cross at a guess.

Going in next Saturday, very reliant on weather obviously but given no rain between Monday and the following Saturday should be looking alright

Easy as so long as rivers are ok. Follow road to the end, past Double Hill, big sign indicating Manuka Point crossing, cross to Manuka Point on track, pick up DoC sign when almost at Manuka Point, turn right, and follow markers. And if you get lost ask one of the 40 other trucks going up there, where to go. And if you stay in the hut, make sure you make your donation to the Rakaia NZDA, for the maintenance an upkeep of the hut.

Originally Posted by High Country Boy

Going in next Saturday, very reliant on weather obviously but given no rain between Monday and the following Saturday should be looking alright

The weather's supposed to get nasty tonight and tomorrow morning hopefully not too much then. May run into you up that way.

Mathias up & down pretty quick after a good rain. Rakaia a bit slower to drop tho. Stick to true right up to the Downs them follow the wheel marks after the crossing there. Let the Rakaia NZDA know if there's something that needs doing at hut, feed back is good. A group of scum left it in a shambles last year.

Sent from my SM-A530F using Tapatalk

I thought I'd add to this thread instead of starting new. Anyone know a ballpark level for crossing the Rakaia? Or the other main watercourses there. Wanting to finally make it up for an explore but I've never been up in the ute before.

River is way low right now, very little in the Rakaia, but still a bit coming out of the Lake Stream. Present crossing is easy. If you are on your own, up to about 120 cumecs is ok, 2 trucks and up to about 160-180 cumecs is doable. Two hundred is recognised as the upper limit but there are a few that will try it if its higher - not recommended. This is for the Ecan figures from Fighting Hill.

Originally Posted by Husky1600

River is way low right now, very little in the Rakaia, but still a bit coming out of the Lake Stream. Present crossing is easy. If you are on your own, up to about 120 cumecs is ok, 2 trucks and up to about 160-180 cumecs is doable. Two hundred is recognised as the upper limit but there are a few that will try it if its higher - not recommended. This is for the Ecan figures from Fighting Hill.

Yep what this fella said. I've been across at 300 cumecs but the river was well spread out over the crossings, wouldn't do it again. With regard to other watercourses, upper Mathias is pretty rough above the downs, not much action up there as a result of Covid, so no one has really carved a path. Not sure on the Wilberforce, though given it's the most accessible, it could be well tracked.

Last time I was up there we moved and rebuilt the hut that was a few moons ago

Originally Posted by Mathias

Yep what this fella said. I've been across at 300 cumecs but the river was well spread out over the crossings, wouldn't do it again. With regard to other watercourses, upper Mathias is pretty rough above the downs, not much action up there as a result of Covid, so no one has really carved a path. Not sure on the Wilberforce, though given it's the most accessible, it could be well tracked.

Would you mind if I PMed you @Mathias to pick your brains a bit.

Anyone know what it would be like getting a side-by-side across from Double Hill to Manuka Point. If anyone has experience on the deer numbers up the true right of the Mathias that would be a bonus. Just looking for a meat animal and enjoy some 4wd with the boys. Feel free to pm me

Has been several side by sides through lately, should be ok so long as the river is below that 120 cumec range. Check out the WAMS maps so you know where the boundaries are, there are a few deer about.

any idea how deep the crossings are at 120 cumecs @Husky1600#2 ?

still searching for my first animal and would be keen to have a poke around up the top of the rakaia just not sure how the Delica D5 4wd would go on the crossings

120 cumecs your looking at around thigh height and swift flowing .