GRNC1 Stage n°5 : from the Muletiers refuge to the Tristaniopsis refuge

From the Muletiers Hut to the Forest du Mois de Mai (7.4 km – 1 hr. 45 mins.)

D Muletiers Hut (GPS: 671 180 – 7 547 985; alt. 195m): follow the good vehicle-accessible track towards the north. Cross several creeks, most of which are perennial [> some form some beautiful clear water holes along the road].

1 Renaissance Mine Track (GPS: 671 200 – 7 548 393; alt. 192m): continue and reach a shoulder. The track veers west following the base of the mountainous foothills.

2 Lookout (GPS: 670 730 – 7 549 694; alt. 187m): clear view of the Rivière Blanche Marshes.

3 Apron (GPS: 668 941 – 7 550 027; alt. 187m) [> beautiful water hole]: cross and reach the river.

4 Rivière Blanche Ford (GPS: 668 850 – 7 550 139) (> crossing not recommended in heavy rain): reach the other bank and turn right. The track turns east to circumvent the foothills of the Montagne des Sources. About 1 km further, reach the start of a shortcut. Leave the red strip of earth to the left to cut a long curve of vehicle-accessible track, before rejoining it further on. Turn left. At the north-western end of the Rivière Blanche Marshes, the track slants sharply towards the east. Outside the marked curve, leave the vehicle-accessible track to take the start of a track to the left which climbs into the scrub.

5 Fork (GPS: 669 679 – 7 550 261; alt. 189m): leave the good track and go left.

6 Fork (GPS: 669 883 – 7 550 687; alt. 199m): turn left on the good track.

From entering the Forest du Mois de Mai to Germain Bridge (6.6 km – 2 hrs. 45 mins.)

7 Fork (GPS: 669 853 – 7 551 516; alt. 202m): the old track quickly turns into a path and gradually gains altitude among the ferns, then enters the forest. After crossing a small wooded shoulder, reach a watercourse.

8 Creek des Sélaginelles (GPS: 669 289 – 7 551 810; alt. 344m) [> perennial plants, living witnesses of the primary era, close to the gypsywort known in the northern hemisphere (lycopods)]: on the other bank, the path runs flat, joins a wooded pass and then tumbles down the slope buried in the forest to the creek.

9 Small confluence (GPS: 669 659 – 7 552 745; alt. 300m): the path crosses the small tributary several times.

10 Creek Crossing (GPS: 669 891 – 7 552 875; alt. 235m): follow the path. After the last crossing, follow the base of the relief, then join the river.

11 Rivière du Mois de Mai (GPS: 670 281 – 7 553 380; alt. 187m): cross (> the water can be deep) [> some remains of a bridge]. Continue on the path following the markings.

12 Intersection (GPS: 670 294 – 7 553 491; alt. 200m): turn left [> the path on the right leads to the Pont Pérignon along the left bank of the Rivière du Mois de Mai and its vast wetland included in the area recognised by the RAMSAR convention]. You’ll come to an intersection.

13 Fork (GPS: 669 910 – 7 553 687; alt. 194m): (> ignore the path that continues straight). Turn sharply to the right to slowly climb the northern slope of the valley. After a sometimes slippery and muddy climb, join a track in fairly good condition at the exit of the forest.

14 Forestry track (GPS: 670 353 – 7 553 945; alt. 276m): turn left and exit the wood. Reach an intersection on one shoulder. Stay on the main track to descend towards the valley of the Rivière Bleue (ignore the embryonic track that peters out to the left). Cross an area dotted with small marshes. Approaching the Rivière Bleue, the path bends its trajectory to the east. Pass a junction.

15 Open Shoulder (GPS: 670 201 – 7 554 131; alt. 278m): beginning of the descent.

16 Helipad (GPS: 670 268 – 7 554 508): continue downwards.

17 Intersection (GPS: 670 559 – 7 554 983) : head right.

18 Honeyeater [Méliphages] Track (GPS: 670 925 – 7 555 022; alt. 176m): continue to reach the Germain Bridge rest area.

From Germain Bridge to Tristaniopsis Hut (3.8 km – 1 hr.)

19 Germain Bridge (GPS: 670 958 – 7 555 085; alt. 175 m) [> pleasant bivouac area near the river; faré, WC, water point; at this place, it is not uncommon to observe kagus accustomed to human presence] (> bathers must be vigilant. Flash floods can occur during heavy rains. GSM coverage becomes random or even disappears): cross the bridge to the north. Continue westwards [> emergency call terminal] on the vehicle-accessible track, then leave it.

20 Fork (GPS: 670 538 – 7 555 292; alt. : 195m) [> start of the Spring Track]: leave the vehicle-accessible track [> telephone booth] to turn right at the information panel. An old skid trail goes up to the base of the Blue Mountain (Gwé Buru), progressing towards the west. Reach a creek (> crossing on slippery blocks in wet weather). Continue in the undergrowth between nepenthes and sundews [> original but very common carnivorous plants] and join the forest track.
> Shared section with the Spring Track, marked in yellow.

21 Barrier (GPS: 669 118 – 7 555 785; alt. 233m) [> information panel]: turn right. The route follows an old forestry track that winds on the left bank, between 40 and 60m above sea level, above the Blue River. Cross a concrete apron and reach the end of the stage.

22 Tristaniopsis Hut (GPS: 668 489 – 7 556 681; alt. : 265m): it is quietly located in the forest, outside a curve of the track [> pretty creek nearby, water supply and emergency call terminal].

© Text by Jean Francis Clair

FFrandonnée® grading
* Effort: IBP 59 slightly difficult (orange)
* Technical difficulty: slightly difficult (orange)
* Risk: slightly high (orange)
* Overall grading: slightly difficult (orange)

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