three bridges on the final section of the track between James Mackay and Heaphy Huts. The bridge across the Heaphy River was the longest suspended deck bridge in the country when it was built in 2013. Although the bridge deck was above normal river level, the bridge was damaged beyond repair in the floods. In addition to the damage to bridges, the severe weather also caused slips and windfall on the track from James Mackay Hut down to the river valley. The section of the track between James Mackay and Heaphy Huts was closed because of the extensive damage, although the rest of the track and huts were re-opened during February for return trips from the two road ends. Through travel is currently not possible until the bridges are rebuilt and the damaged section of track repaired. Road access From the south, the road from Karamea to the Kōhaihai River is unsealed for the last , . From the north, the road from Collingwood to Brown Hut is sealed as far as Bainham, then unsealed for the final . The road access was originally via three fords, but after ongoing concern about drivers taking risks in crossing the fords to get to the track, and some becoming stranded in swollen streams, DOC took the unusual step of providing funding to Tasman District Council for three bridges to be built; these were finished in 2014. Route The track can be travelled in either direction but the route from Golden Bay to Karamea is described here. Brown Hut to Perry Saddle Hut Brown Hut is located only five minutes walk from the carpark at the end of Aorere Valley road. There is a campsite located close to the hut. The track from Brown Hut crosses Brown River and a grassy flat before climbing through regenerating forest. The route to Perry Saddle is almost entirely uphill, and has a consistent gradient. The zigzag path follows the route of a bridle track surveyed and built in 1886 by John Saxon. The track climbs steadily through mature beech forest, mostly red beech (Nothofagus fusca) and hard beech (Nothofagus truncata) trees, but there are also podocarps including rimu and miro, southern rata and other species such as kamahi. Birds that may be seen in the forest on the climb to Perry Saddle Hut include tomtits, robins and bellbird. Kākā may also be seen or heard near