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Tākaka / Asbestos Hut track to Cobb Dam (Upper Tākaka), IV-V

Wed, 2006-05-17 20:59 — jonathan
0
Alternate Name: 
Upper Tākaka
Tākaka
Info
Portage?: 
No
Class: 
IV-V
Level: 
8 - 20 cumecs
Gauge: 
Upper Takaka at http://www.tdc.govt.nz
Length: 
5km
Gradient: 
40m/km
Time: 
2-4 hours
Put in: 
300m after big slip on Asbestos Hut track
Take out: 
Cobb Dam
Shuttle: 
2.5km + walk
Maps: 
M26
Character: 
Steep, big boulder gardens, sieves
Hot tip: 
Don’t try and get to the river down the slip!
Upstream of: 
Tākaka / Takaka Power Station to Takaka River Bridge (Lower Tākaka), III (IV)

The Takaka River has its headwaters on the table lands north of Mt Arthur. It has been paddled from the Grid Iron Shelter but there is an unrunnable section above the Asbestos Mine.Once on the river, or creek depending on your definition, get your brain into tight and rocky mode. About an hour of boat scoutable rock gardens leads into the first of the ‘disappearing horizon lines’. A series of very steep rock jumbles follows. Most will require scouting, portaging and some paddling. The last two kilometres continue steep and tight but all the drops have been paddled at the right flows. At 8-12 cumecs the run is tight and shallow. Above 12 cumecs expect fast continuous water with some authoritative hydraulics.To get to the take out: Drive up the Cobb Dam road from upper Takaka. Leave a car at the dam. To get to the put-in: Continue 2.5 kilometres past the dam to a hairpin corner. Signs to Asbestos Hut indicate the start of the track. Walk along the track for ¾ hour. Once around a BIG slip continue for about 300m then bash down a ridge to the river.

Fill: 
89%
NZ Whitewater 4th Edition 2006: 
p121
Credits: 
Graham Charles

This section appears in New Zealand Whitewater, 4th edition, 2006 on p121.

New Zealand Whitewater, 4th edition, 2006
No incidents reported.

Disclaimer

Canoeing and kayaking are activities with inherent risks. Whitewater NZ takes no responsibility for the accuracy of this guide, nor for any risks or dangers that canoeists or kayakers may encounter. Any users should fully research the current river conditions and ensure they are fully equipped and have the appropriate skills, before embarking on any river trip, per Whitewater NZ Code of Practice. While every effort is made to ensure that details are correct, it is possible that this information is no longer accurate. If you find discrepancies or errors, please let us know at guide@rivers.org.nz.