I reconnoitred the Meremere Track today and it’s quite soggy up there but not as bad as I thought it would be. The gate is locked and will remain so until 1st November. The dirt track is composed of papa clay which is rutted in places from vehicle use, plus there are a few small slips but nothing major.
At 5km from the start of the track (locked gate) the Mangaone trig marks the highest point on Meremere Track at 429m. The views from this point are quite fantastic. Looking out to the north you can see the Tangahoe Valley Road snaking its way across the ridge line where it finally ends at Lake Rotorangi (Patea River).