Description

Studholme Saddle Bivouac is located in the western side of the Kaweka Forest Park main range, south of Kaweka J. There are no fees. Bookings not required - first come, first served. It's the oldest bivouac in the park, built in 1958 by the NZ Forest Service. It sits at 1240 metres. The biviouac a 15 minute walk from the Studholme Saddle Hut. Facilities include mattresses, long drop toilet and water from a stream. Getting there: Makahu Saddle Carpark (3 hr) The bivouac is reached from the north by travelling southwards from Kaweka J from the Makahu Saddle Roadend. Mackintosh Carpark (5 6 hr) Studholme Saddle Bivouac can be reached from the southeast from the Mackintosh Carpark via Mackintosh Track. This is an 8 kilometre walk. Other Routes: Cameron Carpark via Kiwi Saddle Hut (7 7.5 hr; 15 km) Lakes Carpark over the Rogue Ridge route (3 4 hr). Look out for the turn off to the bivouac. For experienced trampers only. Tramping Studholme Saddle is ideally located for a weekend or the start of an extended tramp. There are many options available to travel in any direction: From the bivouac, head over to Manson Country in the west via Back Ridge and Rocks Ahead Huts. Or head north along the Kaweka Ridge to Whetu (1650 metres) and onwards to Middle Hill or Makino Huts. Head east via Kaweka J and down to Makahu Saddle Hut at the Makahu Saddle Roadend. Trampers are reminded that a number of the tracks in and out of the Kaweka Ridge or Back Ridge areas are via poled routes traversing open Kaweka sub-alpine tops between 1300 to 1700 metres altitude caution may be required during adverse weather conditions. Wind speeds exceeding 180 kmh are not uncommon over the main tops, along with extremely cold conditions at any time of the year.