State Forest 42, aka 42nd traverse. Riddled with old logging tracks, many of which are kept open by the quad brigade

I think we are doing 42nd traverse with Landrover club in new year. Will ask for you if open or how to get in if closed.

I usualy go in a kakahi and walk.

Are you taking your new cicadas?

Look at Pg2 under Babelfish.Nice simple pattern for a cicada.

https://flylife.com.au/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=topic&defaultmenu=553&It
emid=713&catid=13&id=22157&limitstart=0

Yep, closed by DoC from just after the roar through to after Labour weekend usually. To stop excess track damage by heavy 4WD's. Once in the know there are many 'alternative' routes around those monstrous concrete blocks they put in  the way. Quads and two wheelers don't do much damage at all in the scheme of things. IN fact the entire place would be completely overgrown and unnavigable if it were not for the quadding fraternity who have put in many hours benching and maintaining the intricate track system in there. WAMS shows up many but not all of the tracks. Some are one way in tracks. i.e. too steep to go back up without a winch on your quad

http://blog.thequadmen.com/2011/11/well-42nd-was-back-on-agenda-this-year.html

A hand winch is certainly useful, but these guys took several hours winching with electric winches to navigate the more gnarly tracks. Best give them a wide berth till you get the lay of the land

If you go to the WAMS website (outdoor access view) stay on the NZ topo view and go to the end of the Kapoors road (eastern end of the 42 Traverse) you will see the alternative access tracks. For some strange reason the actual 42 Traverse shows up as a walking trail (short dashes) whereas in reality it is a far larger and well worn trail than the other trails that show up as long dashes. In reality they are quite overgrown. The big concrete blocks are right off the end of the old skid site you park your truck at.  I seem to remember that there may well be enthusiastic detours close to the concrete blocks, though DoC may have returned them to a more challenging state
Using the layers list, tick the national trail icon, and turn all the others off. That will then show up the National trail as an indistinct grey line. Where that line departs from the 42 Traverse just NW of spot height 595 is the turnoff to quad tracks that will give you access down to the upper Whanganui River
I haven't started from the Owhango end, as I live the other side. I don't know if its possible to get around the Owhango ends concrete blocks or whatever.
Needless to say, a spade, axe, rope and a hand winch would be minimum recovery equipment. to take with you. And possibly another quad or two