Jul 16 2021

Possum Busters and neaby tracks tramps

Published by under Trampers

No. 67 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Swampy – Jim Freemans – (J Roy) Summer”


16. 12/07/2023. Trampers. Westside of Flagstaff. Grade 3. Leader Lynley.

10 brave souls came out to fight the elements. Thank you to John Fitzgerald helping me to do the tramp as I was unable to get recce done in time. Starting at the top of Spiers Road on to a scruffy piece of farmland we had amazing views over Dunedin.

12 July Trampers Flagstaff Dressed for the cold Pam

Dressed for the cold. Photo & caption Pam

We passed a lovely rock wall made by Ben Rudd with a steep climb through flax and scrub. We joined Flagstaff then down to Ben Rudd shelter for a well-earned morning tea.

12 July Trampers Flagstaff Among the flax on Spiers Track Pam

Among the flax on Spiers Track. Photo & caption Pam

12 July Trampers Flagstaff Morning Tea at Ben Rudd's hut Pam

Morning Tea at Ben Rudd’s hut. Photo & caption Pam

12 July Trampers Flagstaff One of many “stone walls” built by Ben Rudd (1870’s) Pam

One of many “stone walls” built by Ben Rudd (1870’s). Photo & caption Pam

We proceeded to Possum track on to McQuilkans Track where found a sunny spot for lunch.

12 July Trampers Lunch enjoyed on McQuilkans Track Pam

Lunch enjoyed on McQuilkans Track. Photo & caption Pam

12 July Trampers Flagstaff ...and up on to Swampy Ridge Track Pam

…and up on to Swampy Ridge Track. Photo & caption Pam

12 July Trampers Flagstaff This stream was crossed multiple times Pam

This stream was crossed multiple times. Photo & caption Pam

Missing out on rain, we had a few snow flurries looking like fairy land but very cold on top of Flagstaff. A good day had by all 6 hrs in total.

12 July Trampers Flagstaff And it snowed Pam

And it snowed. Photo & caption Pam

12 July Trampers Flagstaff No shelter here to regroup. Pam

No shelter here to regroup. Photo & caption Pam

Lynley.


15. 24/08/2022. Trampers. Westside of Flagstaff. Grade 4. $5. Leaders: Gwenda and Yan.

Gwenda and I did the recce for this tramp, scheduled for late July, in mid July. So we were a little concerned that all the rain we’ve had recently hadn’t changed the condition of the tracks and the creek crossings too much.

It was raining steadily as Pam Cocks, Gwenda and I drove towards the Bull Ring, wondering if we would have to cancel again and thinking of more sheltered tracks. However, when we met the rest of the group there seemed no doubt in anyone’s mind that we should go ahead with the planned route.

Helen. Our leader Gwenda and group

Our leader Gwenda and group (photo & caption Helen)

So 17 of us walked up the fire break road which leads to the beginning of Jim Freeman Track.

John. Geologist Brett explaining how those rocks got here.

Geologist Brett explaining how those rocks got here (photo & caption John)

Our optimism was well founded and by the time we had morning tea the clouds were clearing and the rest of the day was sunny and pleasant.

Pam. Flagstaff Swampy Ridge track- ready to head down to Jim Freeman’s track

Morning tea at Flagstaff Swampy Ridge track- ready to head down to Jim Freeman’s track (photo & caption Pam)

The downhill section of Jim Freeman Track was quite muddy and a bit slippery.

Pam. “Down hill from here” we were told !

“Down hill from here” we were told ! (photo & caption Pam)

I think we were all glad we’d brought at least one pole and Lyn put on her crampons which looked really effective, especially on those tricky tree roots. No-one came to grief and although the creeks were running a little higher we all managed to cross without incident.

We then joined Possum Busters and the steady climb of McQuilikans, where some members had ‘track cleared’. Earlier in the day some of us had noted how slippery the footing is if the flax leaves are left on the track.

Pam. Lunch among tussocks and flax.(Maungatua’s in the distance).

Lunch among tussocks and flax (Maungatua’s in the distance) (photo & caption Pam)

We stopped for lunch near the top of McQuilikans where the bush gives way to more open and flaxy terrain.

John. That On top of the world feeling.

That On top of the world feeling (photo & caption John)

The pigs had obviously been foraging along much of the lower part of the track. As we hit the Firebreak for the second time the wind had picked up. Some of us took the direct route back to the Bull Ring, while others completed the loop walking the Flagstaff/Skyline walkway.

John. Amazing detail on this 1973 work of art

Amazing detail on this 1973 work of art (photo & caption John)

Gwenda set a cracking pace belying any concession to her age.

Helen. Gwenda

Gwenda (photo Helen)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GWENDA

 

14. 10/3/2021. Trampers. Possum Busters circuit. Leader: Arthur.

Our special tramp up and over  Maungatua  today had to be  postponed  due to the rain.

But  7 keen trampers turned up at the carpark, and weren’t  going to be put off by a little dampness, so we substituted a tramp to Whare Flat, doing a circut  taking in Possum Busters, Lower Swine Spur, and Smithys Tracks.

We set off in very light rain, from the south end, to explore most of Possum Busters, which is  a bush track.

G.2.2nd -- Some of the great bush

Some of the great bush. (Gordon pic and caption.)

By smoko time the rain had gone, and we stopped in a small trackside clearing for refreshments.

G.3.3rd -- Quick morn. Tea

Quick morn. Tea. (Gordon pic and caption.)

There was no hurrying today, and we were able to enjoy the great variety of trees and ferns as we wended our way.

Eventually we came to the Swine Spur Track, …

G.4.4th -- Heading back on the loop

Heading back on the loop. (Gordon pic and caption.)

… and followed it down to have a leisurely  lunch …

G.7.7th -- Lunch at lake whare

Lunch at lake Whare. (Gordon pic and caption.)

… at Lake Whare.

G.8.8th the lake

The lake. (Gordon pic and caption.))

The final leg was on Smithys Track, with some climbing to do. Not hurrying, we came back  on Possum Busters again, which left us with a 20 min walk back to the cars, where we arrived at 1.30 pm. 8 km was the distance we had covered on our very enjoyable tramp this day.

The light rain had re-appeared by no, and got heavier as we returned to Mosgiel, where it was teeming down. A visit to Blend was very welcome, and enjoyed by all.

Today’s group had seen first hand the great track clearing that Neil Morrison and his helpers have been doing in the area.

G.6.6th -- On Swine Ridge (Neil’s highway)

On Swine Ridge (Neil’s highway). (Gordon pic and caption.)

Thanks Neil and Co. – Arthur.

13. 30/10/2019 Trampers. Porkys/Jim Freeman Leader: Arthur

A well planned tramp!!!

Previous days there had been some heavy rain and Arthur took on the task of planning a good tramp, even with a bad weather report for the day. He decided to take us on reasonably dry tracks. The Jim Freeman track was the choice. We wandered along a pleasant track finally reaching Ben Rudd’s shelter for morning tea.

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Photo and Caption Gordon – “Smoko in Ben Rudd’s shelter”

The track then headed up to the ridge to meet the Flagstaff Swampy  track. The sun was shining with a steady breeze.

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Photo and Caption Gordon – “Heading up the firebreak”

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Photo and Caption Gordon – “Steep bit before lunch”

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Photo and Caption Gordon – “Lunch among the flax and tussocks

We followed Porky’s track down to Possum busters track and finally back onto the Jim Freeman track – there were a few damp spots! And back to where we started.

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Photo and Caption Gordon – “Bruce Campbells Rhododendron dell”

Coffee was planned for Blend.  We were all having our coffee and snacks when an enormous gust of wind came with heavy sleety rain which blew a tree over next to Blackstone coffee bar.  This provided the icing on the cake!! Plenty to look at and plenty of advice while it got cleaned up.

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Photo and Caption Dave – ” Fallen tree in wind gust provides entertainment”

Well planned Arthur!!!Dave

12. 26/10/2016. Both. Round tramp from near Lake Whare. E+. Leaders: Trampers.
Circult Route Map per Nike app, courtesy Ian.

Circult Route Map per Nike app, courtesy Ian.

The Hikers wished to inspect the work that had been done over the last couple of years by the Track Clearing Group, from our Club. Today’s tramp gave them that opportunity.

The clouds remained low all day, but it wasn’t cold, and no rain to be unpleasant.

A combined group of 20 Hikers and Trampers departed Mosgiel on time, and travelled up past Whare Flat and parked a little way up Rollinsons Road.

The plan was to do a circuit, taking in the following tracks (or parts thereof) – Swine Spur, Possum Busters, Smithys and the Lake Whare Loop – all being in the bush below, and to the south-west of Swampy.

If possible, it is always best to do the hard work first, so it was up Swine Spur at the start. This is an uphill track, gently up in the swampy “cutty grass flats” area at the bottom, and again further up.

The bush area halfway is the worst, with several good uphill scrambles to contend with. After negotiating this it seemed like a good idea to have morning tea …

Morning tea. (Helen pic and caption.)

Morning tea. (Helen pic and caption.)

… and let all have a rest.

Continuing up the ridge we were out in the open, but the low cloud restricted any view. Very soon we came to the junction with Possum Busters, where we could admire the excellent track signs that Ian Hebbard had made – they would be at every junction that we came to on today’s tramp.

We turned right now onto Possum Busters track which still trends slightly uphill for a little before following the contour and descending later. The track was in good order although it crosses a couple of creeks and there were several very wet swampy patches …

Through the mud. (Helen pic and caption.)

Through the mud. (Helen pic and caption.)

… to negotiate.

We passed the bottom ends of Porkies Track, and later McQuilkans.

(By the way, you can find a map of the day’s travels on page 5.08 in Antony Hamel’s book. Not all tracks are named on his map.)

Soon after passing McQuilkans we had to cross Sligos Creek twice and were soon at the next track junction.

Once again we turned right, now on Smithys Track. It is an “interesting” track with many changes of direction, and is somewhat rougher with several steep, …

Helping up. (Helen pic and caption.)

Helping up. (Helen pic and caption.)

… but brief climbs or descents, requiring care. We took our time, there being no rush.

At twelve, we came to a suitable lunch spot. There was room for all to sit beside the track where it was more open to the sky. Quite pleasant in fact.

Lunch consumed, it was onward once more. Along and down. We passed the top end of Steep Track, before eventually turning right to find Lake Whare.

Overlooking Lake Whare. (Ian pic and caption.)

Overlooking Lake Whare. (Ian pic and caption.)

The Lake. (Helen pic and caption.)

The lake. (Helen pic and caption.)

Nice tracks to walk along in this area. One duck moved quietly across the placid waters as we arrived at the lake for a brief rest spot.

Not far now. Around the Lake Whare Loop track, we saw the stone ruins (house?) and the stone wall. Only a few hundred metres more and we emerged onto the road back at our cars.

The whole group had successfully completed the day’s tramp, although it would have been tough for those more acclimatised to street walk. But WELL DONE everyone. And I hope you had all appreciated the track clearing that our members had done.

My special thanks to Neil M., in fact to both Neils, for tagging along at the back to keep the troops moving today. Bruce’s machine records the day’s distance at 6.63 km.

As all the Hikers’ tongues were hanging out, a fast trip to Wal’s …

Coffee. (Helen pic and caption.)

Coffee. (Helen pic and caption.)

… was needed to revive them, the Trampers joining them as well. – Arthur.

11. 20/7/2016. Trampers. Bullring – Swampy Summit Circuit. M. Leader: Arthur.
Several of our regular members were away on grandparent duty for the school holidays and for other reasons, resulting in only a small group of 7 out for our weekly tramp.
After parking at the Bullring, we walked up the firebreak 4WD track to the highest spot where we had morning tea with a view. Some clay parts of the track had been rather greasy on the way up.

A further five minutes took us to the top of the track down to Ben Rudd’s Shelter, which we inspected …

Ben Rudd Shelter. (Margreet pic and caption.)

Ben Rudd Shelter. (Margreet pic and caption.)

… before continuing down the Jim Freeman track.

The tracks down to the Shelter, as well as the Freeman track were rather overgrown in places and greatly in need of a trim up – someone had made a start though.
Due to the track conditions – it was also a bit wet and slippery because of the recent rain – we had to take our time. In fact, it was very slow work going down Jim Freeman.
At the bottom we turned right to follow the Possum Busters track for the next leg of our journey. Someone had been along here recently and trimmed some ferns as well as doing some spade work in places. Possum Busters goes along for a bit before trending up-slope. We were making good time here but I was concerned about the time lost earlier downhill, so decided that it was time to go to “Plan B”.
It was with considerable apprehension that I told the group we would shorten our tramp and go up Porkies Track instead of Swine Spur. I knew everyone would be hugely disappointed – and they were! It transpired later that there had been a conspiracy to ensure that the leader did not reach the top of Swine Spur first! The plot was foiled.

And so it came to pass that we ascended Porkies.

Sign. (Margreet pic and caption.)

Sign. (Margreet pic.)

Someone had recently made a very good job of clearing this track. As we climbed gently, as the track does, I’m sure that I heard several comments behind me, to the effect that “This is too easy, I wish we had gone up Swine Spur instead, etc, etc.” But perhaps I was mistaken.

It was time for lunch when we came to the Swampy Ridge 4WD track at 12.25 p.m. The group spread out a bit, each to find a good sheltered spot out of the cool wind. But it was lovely and sunny.
Within 30 minutes we were on the move, facing towards Flagstaff and home. The track, Swampy Ridge, was a little wet and muddy in places.
We had some good views now, noticing that there was some snow on the Rock and Pillar, and on the Lammermoors. Briefly  the “Taieri Pet” showed itself, although small in size, behind Middlemarch.

We turned off to join the Pineapple Track and followed it to the summit of Flagstaff.

Flagstaff. (Margreet pic and caption.)

Flagstaff. (Margreet pic and caption.)

A cold wind was blowing here so we didn’t linger long to enjoy the scenery.

View from the top. (Margreet pic and caption.)

View from the top. (Margreet pic and caption.)

Down hill into the cold wind for 20 minutes brought is back to the Bull Ring at 2.20 p.m.

We had travelled 11.6 km and had a good day’s tramp, with a good variety. The weather had been ideal – an almost clear, sunny sky, with a westerly wind which hadn’t really bothered us. But we were lucky – within 2 hours of finishing, a southerly storm had arrived – wind, rain, cold, the lot! – Arthur H.
10. 23/12/2015 Trampers. Swine Spur, Swampy Ridge, McQuilkans, Possum Busters.
Swine Spur Swampy Ridge McQuilkans Possum Busters

GPS map of route and caption, courtesy Ken. Swine Spur Swampy Ridge McQuilkans Possum Busters.

There were 4 trampers on today’s tramp into Possum Busters territory. We started by climbing all the way up Swine Spur to the Swampy Ridge road, with a stop for morning tea at the junction with Possum Busters. We then walked along Swampy Ridge Rd. to the top of McQuilkans track, where we had a short break before going down there, & back across the creek onto Possum Busters track, where we turned right, & walked up to the junction with Porkies track, where we had lunch. Then we walked all the way around Possum Busters, past where we had morning tea, & out to Rollinsons Rd. above the locked gate. It was then just a short way back to the cars that were parked further down by the bridge.

A good walk after yesterdays track clearing effort, & an opportunity to see what lies ahead of us for track clearing the rest of Possum Busters, & the bottom end of Swine Spur. – Ken.

9. 19/8/2015. Trampers. Flagstaff McQuilkans Possum Busters.
Flagstaff McQuilkans Possum Busters

GPS of route, courtesy Ken. Flagstaff McQuilkans Possum Busters (Ken pic and caption). Walked 8.6km; 3.5km/h; 2h 28min. Climbed 390m.

Starting at the Bullring, we made our way up the walking track to the top of Flagstaff. We took this route in preference to the 4WD track as it has had a dozer over it to cover up the fibre optic cable that hides, or was supposed to be hiding, under it’s surface. However, in the past, it has been quite visible in various places, all the way up to Swampy Summit, due to water erosion.
After having morning tea at the Rock Bivvy, we walked along to the joining track, which takes you over to the track leading up to Swampy Ridge Track. This had also been attacked by the dozer, & was VERY muddy & slippery, sending some of us into skiing mode on the downhill sections. I think we all made it along to the top of McQuilkans Track without falling over in the treacherous conditions.
We had a short stop here to discuss what we would do for the rest of the day, & it was decided to go down McQuilkans & find somewhere to have lunch in the sun. So we set of down this newly cleared track [thanks Green Hut Group]] had lunch at a semi-dry/sunny spot,…
Lunch stop (Ken pic and caption)

Lunch stop (Ken pic and caption)

…then negotiated the creek crossings to end up on Possum Busters track. Here we decided to head out onto the Flagstaff/Whare Flat Rd. walk up there to the bottom end of Big Rock Track, & go up there to Ben Rudd Shelter. We found the entrance to the track, where Ian H had put in a sign, but it wasn’t long before we lost the track, & despite a bit of a search for the correct way up, we gave up, made our way back to the road & walked up there back to the Bullring.
The weather was perfect, with hardly any breeze, & a good temperature. Although a short walk, it was enjoyable. – Ken.

d the next day as being not that serious . – Ian.
4. 13/10/2010. Trampers. Jim Freeman, Swampy, McQuilkan, Possum Busters, Lower Swine Spur, Smithies, Lower McQuilkan. Leaders: Ian, Ken.

GPS tracking of route, courtesy Ken.

Only Doug turned up for the leaders to escort around the route. We had cleared the Jim Freeman on the recce so it was a quick climb up with morning tea by the Ben Rudd turn-off.
Then it was along swampy ridge to arrive at the McQuilkan descent.

View from McQuilkan prior to entering manuka woodland

Down the McQuilkan and a turn right at the Possum Busters, denoted by the track sign faintly mis-titled “Possum Hunters”. Up, around and across to join the Swine Spur crossing. It was a pity the manuka trunk holding one of Les Murcott signs had recently fallen over. Lunched there.
A left-turn and down the lower Swine Spur ridge before the plunge off to the right into the bush. A track badly overgrown in one particular place especially, but still marked enough to follow. Finally it was down and out of the bush onto the extensive tussock  swamp and across the old stone wall. We reached ingenious bridge of Les’ track-clearers, up into bush, out again into tussock and then a final swing left up into the bush onto what is now all called ‘Smithies’.

Crossing tussock swamp at bottom of lower Swine Spur

A winding down and up walk until we reached the junction with the lower McQuilkan and then out to the road, passing the bottom of Jim Freeman again. FWD enthusiasts have made quite a mess of the exit, turning it into a bog. – Ian

Bogged entrance off Whare Flat road

3. 14/9/2005 Swampy Circuit: Possum Hunters, Possum Busters, Swine Spur, Swampy Ridge, Fire Break, Jim Freeman. Leaders: Ian, Hazel
Click Swampy ridge track for background information.

Entered at lower McQuilkans, climbed Jim Freeman, along Swampy Ridge, descended upper McQuilkans, around Possum Busters, down lower Swine Spur, across to Smithy’s (formerly Possum Hunters) to rejoin lower McQuilkans and back out to road.

2. 27/8/2003. Trampers. Lwr Jim Freeman (frmly Smithies), Lwr McQuilkans (frmly Possum Hunters), Possum Busters, Lwr Swine Spur, Lake Whare, Smithies (frmly Possum Hunters). Easy. Leaders: Ian, Evelyn C, Graham.

Possum Hunters/Busters
Sketch map of area with original track names, probably by Les Murcott.
Smithy on Smithies

Smithy on Lwr Jim Freeman, frmly Smithies.

Group on Possum Busters

Group on Possum Busters Track

Possum Busters Sign

Possum Busters Sign (at intersection with Swine Spur).

1. 9/2/2000. Swampy Circuit from Jim Freeman Track. Leaders: Jack R, Claude, Doug J.

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