Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

Gabriels Gully. Key to Maps

7. 5 April 2023. Combined.  Gabriel’s Gully, Lawrence. Grade 4 (trampers) & Grade 2 (hikers). $20. Leaders: Phil Keene (Trampers), Jan Butcher (Hikers)

Hikers’ Report (scroll down for Trampers’ Report):

At 8.45am we travelled in convoy with the trampers to Lawrence, where we had a comfort stop before continuing onto Gabriel’s Gully. Halfway down the road the brakes were on as we came across a large STOP sign and barriers preventing us from going any further.

It turns out contractors were cleaning up a large tree which had fallen across the road, so we retraced our steps back to Blue Spur Road, a gravel road taking us up and up, around and down, meeting up with Munro Road and down into Gabriel’s Gully. Whew!

We all had morning tea on arrival and then said goodbye to the trampers as they set off in another direction and 19 hikers commenced the Interpretation Loop Track.

The first 20 minutes was up and up and a couple of “breathers” needed but soon we reached the top with great views over the Gully floor below.

We continued around the well-groomed ridge walk and down Blue Spur/mining sites checking out the information stations along the way and stopping at points of interest.

It was then back down the hill to our cars and a short walk along the road to Grey’s Dam where we sat under a large tree to enjoy our lunch break, after which we dropped our packs back at our cars and took a short walk around the gully floor.

Fortunately, the return road was cleared and we stopped off at the ‘Prospector’ for refreshments before returning to Mosgiel. The weather played its part – not too hot and no wind to speak of. A very enjoyable 4ks walked on the day.

Jan and Jay

Trampers’ Report:

32 very keen walkers set out on time, in 8 vehicles, to make their fortune in the hills of Central Otago; we suffered all sorts of setbacks as traffic delays, or ‘hold ups’ frustrated us. Most of us felt better for the stop on the corner in Lawrence; and some just had to get that takeaway coffee…..another ‘hold up’ on the road up to GG with a sign that had multiple meanings and road block. On up around the bend Jan B walked and got the low down (tree clearance) so the cars did an about face and detoured over Blue Spur – once farmed by Chris and Ant Wither and down into GG. Chris outlined the local well known activity of sheep rustling, and apparently ‘not just back in the day’.

With a school group also present the GG car-park really did feel as if another gold rush was underway. The delays did not lessen the need for morning tea, as the sun was shining, but we were finally off on our way by 10.45am.

13 trampers skirted the SW ridge of GG, through the man-made landscape now dominated by Sycamore trees, feeling very much at home here as well as adding a nice splash of Autumn, passing the mine tunnels and North of Ireland battery. Some of us musing where was the South of Ireland battery?

We crossed Victoria Road, the main entrance to the Glendhu Forest and on past Victoria (Milburn’s) Dam and started the steady ascent, initially through a larch forest, then up through the remnant beech forest and gorge/ ravine/gully of the Munro track.

Progress was tempered by the intimate feel of the walk, as well as the little dips into streams (they looked gold bearing to me) then the challenge of all those man made steps.

Finally, we emerged into the Glendhu pine forest and onto road 21, are we at the top yet? being a common question. The answer being ‘no not yet, we’ll just go up and around the bend a little way for lunch, which will give a lovely view into the West, Blue Mountains and all’. And of course, this happened as planned.

After lunch we continued the steady ascent, mostly now on Victoria Road; no trucks came past to enjoy our bright coloured tops…..We took the first turn on the right into Road 22 and continued down, shambling through fir and gum forest and along the very well maintained forestry roads and drainage systems.

Upon a slight rise in the road, we enjoyed a view down into Otago Dam which was full to the brim as usually there is just a trickle of a stream.

The entrance onto the Dam is now much clearer than other recent club forays and we stopped to pose, as you do in these sorts of places. From here it was a slow and steady descent through beech forest for a couple of hours, as a little care was required on the steeper parts, as well as completing half a dozen stream crossings, and of course the banter about the number of flood warning signs there were and how many hundreds of metres did each sign say?

As we emerged around Grey’s Dam into the bright open car-park many mused on the fact ‘that last time this was where the bus was parked, and we took our boots off and lay in the sun…..’

After the inevitable team photo with the autumn coloured back drop, we set off for the last ten minutes of walking to the cars, where we did take our boots off; the general consensus being it was to be each car for itself back into Lawrence (the tree had been cleared) and get an ice cream on the run which we did do, helping us to get back to PJ park at 4.45pm, just as the first bus pulled in to take folk to the Rod Stewart concert. For those that went, is he still sexy? Is he still sailing? Did Cyndi just want to have fu-un?

A great day out, thanks to the drivers especially and to Rayonier Matariki Forests for access to Glendhu Forest. For the trampers 11km, walking time 4 hours 30 minutes, 350 m altitude gain and I’m sticking with Grade 4.

Phil

 

6. 3/2/21. Combined. Gabriel’s Gully/ Munro Gully Track/ Glendhu Forest

Gabriel’s Gully:  Lawrence 3 February 2021

Well then, what about the best laid plans of mice and men…… thanks to everyone for being early, and money in the bank, but we were undone by an accident near Burnside that held the bus up!  Fortunately there was no walk out, and once it arrived, everyone jumped on board to go for a ‘walk about’ at Gabriel’s Gully, on a near perfect day, not too hot & not too cool.  Just perfect you might say.

Richard the bus driver did his best to get us back on schedule, and after a short stop at the corner in Lawrence, we arrived at Gabriel’s Gully just after 10am; so naturally the 40 participants partook of morning tea and readied for the walking, as you do!

With map in hand the 7 (including the driver) in the Jan Team (thanks Jan B and Jan Y) headed up the hill to undertake the Interpretive Track, and to spend an hour or two absorbing the history of the area.

The remaining 34 headed to Munro’s Gully on the opposite side of the Gully, with the groups able to wave to each other, almost ‘Bon Voyage’ like at a wharf.

Passing both an old Mine Shaft and the North of Ireland Battery, the self-named Team B (29 walkers) led by Phil, opened up a bit of a gap on Raewyn’s Team A (5 walkers). 

Crossing Munro Road and heading for Milburn’s (Victoria) Dam, there was time to stop & take in the reflections, no hint yet of any early autumnal colouring.

From the Dam it was a steady ascent through the lovely beech forest, with those pesky red Rowan berries trying to outdo the red colouring on the native Horopito (pepper) trees. 

Some impressive bracket or shelf fungi were visible (Ganoderma);  in days of old, these were sent back to China by early immigrants apparently having amazing medicinal properties; at a more practical level they are rock hard and used for intricate wooden jewellery.  They attack the diseased heartwood of a still living tree.

The rise and fall of the track gave time to take in the babbling brook, ferns, mosses etc and the dappled light was well, beautiful.  For Team B we were welcomed about 2/3 of the way up by some Falcon screeching, with some brief sightings – this was in the same place as the week before recce, where 3 came much closer and all being very visible. I was reminded in this time and place of Wendell Berry’s lines “Always in the big woods when you have left familiar ground, and step off alone in to a new place there will be, along with feelings of curiosity and excitement, a little nagging dread.  It is the ancient fear of the unknown and it is your first bond with the wilderness you are going into”.

After an hour and a bit, pine cones were lying on the track, an indication we were getting near Glendhu Forest, ‘the top’ and not long after, we emerged on to Road 21, the lunch spot right on 12 noon. Most sat on the road with feet downhill, almost meant to be!

The arrival of Team A gave rise to enthusiastic acclamation – well done!  After some chit chat, 4 of Team B were welcomed into Team A.  They returned to the Gabriels’ Gully car park via Cornishman’s Dam, down through the forest beside water races to Pollard’s Dam and then followed the Interpretive track to their destination.  Once reconnecting with Jan’s Team they all drove off to Lawrence to enjoy the local delights.

 

This left 25 in Team B, and so we headed off up through Glendhu Forest on Road 21 thence Victoria Road.  At the top, this provided great views of West Otago and I think Northern Southland in the murky distance.  Thence down Road 22 through a delightful archway of Douglas Fir and at the intersection of Roads 22, 23 and 24, we found a ‘yellow ribbon tied around a wineberry tree’. Amazing.

09/03/2022.  Trampers.  Trotters Gorge.  Leaders: Arthur and Pam

The skies were overcast when leaving Mosgiel at 8.45am but once over the Northern motorway it became brighter and remained like that for the rest of the day.
We met the city trampers at the Waitati store and 5 cars with16 trampers were on their way to Trotters Gorge picking up a hitch hiker ( Heather) at Palmerston before continuing on SH1 past Shag Point with spectacular vistas of Katiki beach. At Hillgrove we turned left into Horse Range Road, arriving at Trotters Gorge Scenic Reserve 10:15.
Day packs on, poles, gloves at the ready we started off by walking through the first of six stream crossings – no stepping stones here, so straight through. The small stones were quite slippery under foot.

The wide formed track, which was muddy in parts, wove its way through native bush of kanuka, ribbonwood, wineberry and kowhai.
The birds were very vocal around this area- great to hear.
1km on we arrived at the University owned hut for morning tea on the veranda while John, ( a big kid at heart) enjoyed the rope swing.

10:55, leaving the hut and the Trotters Creek area we were straight onto the un-maintained single track into the Trotters Gorge area.
The landscape changed dramatically to sheer rock bluffs which looked like limestone but are greywacke breccia conglomerate formed about 80 million years ago.

Here we saw the NZ Falcon (Karearea) flying high above the cliff and could hear the nestling’s whining sounds.

Continuing on through the eucalyptus trees we noticed the distinctive smell of its leaves- a camphoraceous smell, slightly medicinal.
Further on along the flats the track became quite swampy and after crossing a small stream we started our climb up hill.
With gloves on and walking poles ready, we made our way up the track through the overgrown gorse to arrive at the top (11:50) for lunch.
From here we could see over to Moeraki and the sea but the Pine Forests obscured better views.

After lunch we headed back down the same track with ever changing views and were fortunate to get another glimpse of the falcons.

Back at the reserve we embarked on the 700m walk to the Cave.

This maintained track follows a tributary of the Trotters Creek through beautiful native broadleaf forest.
On the track we came across a very large NZ Silver fern and as we approached the Cave we were greeted by a Black Fantail (Piwakawaka).

The caves had been sculptured by the river many years ago.

Returning the same way back to the cars it was on to Palmerston -continuing on the Horse Range Road, passing through forestry and then rolling farm land to the “Coffee cup” cafe .
Here we enjoyed great coffee, cake and ice cream in the cafe court yard.
Another great day with the TRTC. Pam

No. 106 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Bus Trip to Old Central Railway”

4. 3/3/2021. Combined. Daisy Bank. Leaders: Theresa White and Sara McCormack

30 trampers gathered on a beautiful mild morning at the carpark. With everyone arriving promptly we
were able to get on the bus and be away just before 8.30. We paused to pick up Heather at the top of
the hill and had a comfort stop at Middlemarch. Arriving at Daisybank we all disembarked for morning
tea in the sun.

5 hikers decided to do a shorter walk so, after morning tea, they hopped back on the bus and were
transported back towards Hyde. They started their walk from Tiroiti giving them 6km for the day.
The remaining 26 trampers set a steady pace on the rail trail towards Hyde. First evidence we were on
an old railway line was the gangers Hut called Red Dwarf Hut. We regrouped in a nice shady area which
conveniently had a toilet. A few walked down the bank to check out the river.

The next gangers Hut was at Tiroiti. This one has some information boards inside. We then crossed the
Capburn Creek bridge (built in 1897) which has been left in its original .

The next bridge to cross was Prices Creek viaduct (built 1963). Shortly after was our lunch stop in the
shade of the bank of the Prices Creek tunnel which is lined in brick. 15 trampers ventured down the hill
to check out the Taieri River Diversion before having their lunch.

After lunch, just another 3km and with the wind on our backs we were blown along, arriving at Hyde
where the hikers were relaxing in the shade.

The Coffee kart, which also sold ice creams, did a good trade. We all rested in the shade before hopping
back on the bus, arriving back at the car park just before 4.  A lovely walk in the sunshine.

 

 

3. 3/4/2019. All. Daisy Bank -Hyde. Rail Trail. leader: Bob.

After a delayed start owing to members being given differing start times the bus finally left the car park at 9am.
The morning was crisp and clear with the roadside verges having frost on them.
We arrived at Daisy Bank in time for morning tea on a calm sunny morning.

48 members set off towards Hyde on the rail trail that was excellent to walk on.

We stopped for lunch by the Taieri River 6km into the 11km walk.

At the tunnel…

…some of the more energetic members went down to the river to see the 50 mtr diversion of the river through rock so they could mine for gold on the then dry river bed.

We arrived at the Hyde Cafe at 2.30pm for an ice cream or a drink or both.

We left there at 3pm arriving back in Mosgiel just after four oclock.
Thanks to Richard Tranior of Good Time Tours for his excellent service.
– Bob & Peter.

Bob’s bus was big and comfortable. Thanks to one or two club members rounding up extra passengers, numbers travelling managed (just) to reach the 30 needed to pay for it. We arrived at Daisy Bank at ten past ten so decided to start the walk with morning tea.

With Bev willing to play the role of back-marker, we were able to set off at our own times, at our own paces and with whomsoever we cared to link up.

A warm nor-wester tail-wind comfortably tempered what might otherwise have been too hot a day. But so vigorous was its assistance at times, it was difficult to maintain a dignified walking-pace.

The viaducts were great. This one, awesome.

To the left of the tunnel entrance was the following interesting notice.

Ken, who in a previous life had worked with DoC, and had hammered some of the nails into the previous viaduct, on two – yes, two – occasions was willing to escort companions close-by at the time, down to the Taieri River diversion channel referred to in the above notice.

Yours truly was willing to cast all photogenic illusions aside to grace a tunnel alcove with human interest.

The cafe at the end did a roaring trade accommodating a big club spend-up. The day was still relatively young, and we were in no hurry to get back on the bus, so we didn’t, for a restful long while.

At long last, we were back on the bus and headed back to Dunedin through a surprising band of rain at one point. A good day out, well-enjoyed by all. – Ian

20/5/2009. Hikers. Daisy Bank to Hyde. Rail Trail. (Cancelled. Weather wet, windy. Middlemarch road closed. Snow.) Leaders: Neil, Evelyn C.

20/11/1997 ( Data missing)

Bus to Beaumont. Drive up Manuka Ridge to locked gate.

Short climb to top. Road along top. Locked gate to Microwave 1.5K;M/W to trig 3K.

Track down ridge.

NB. AT TRIG ON SMALL HILL, TURN SHARP LEFT AND STEEP CLIMB TO AND PAST TRIG.

then farm land to Crookston. Track to bus pick-up at Crookston 6K Total 16K. Seek permissions.

2. 10/2/2021. Trampers. Blue Mountain trip. Leaders Helen and Phil Morris

We knocked it off!! 17 Taieri Recreational trampers bounded up the Gully, leaving the car park in damp, windy, but improving weather conditions.

Not knowing what we were in for, we started up the track, the ferns and other coverage had grown since Dave had tramped it a few months ago, and going in early part was slow going, with some parts on hand and knees, but mood was chirpy, as the track improved, but the climb was upwards continually.

We came to a stream crossing which required good concentration, with a good climb 30  minutes through magnificent beech forest and very little birdlife sadly.

With a good 75 minutes walking it was time for morning tea to recharge energy levels and the odd question of how far to top. The reply was sorry a good
hour and a quarter. After 30 minutes of chatter, it was packs on and off we clambered through
some nice ground cover for 20 minutes, then some real grunty climbs , stopped the talking,
everyone showed encouragement to those needing it. Remember a lot of society, half the groups age, would have turned back long ago. We continued, a long time had passed, before the light at end of the tunnel through mist in the
bus , YES!! flax and grasses with a waratah with a white plastic cover in the rock. Sadly a strong wind blowing mist over the sign telling us it was 14km and 5 hr trek to the bottom of whiskey gully or option b, 1hr down a gully back
joining the track we came up.

After clambering up to this sign it only took about 4 minutes to decide that these were bad options, due to hands freezing from the cold wind whipping through us, we took pictures of the first 7 at top and then the next hardy ladies who made up the next group, well done crew, 17 hardy trampers all made the top of Black Gully, fantastic job!! With decision made, we descended back down for 15 minutes to a lunch spot, Well Earned. After a food recharge we returned down the nice forest, mainly beech below manuka.

This was when it hit us, how steep the climb to the top was, it became quite a hard drop for 45 minutes but the group chattered and took in the magic bush and forest, most take for granted. With stream crossing done we showed the spirit that bonded the group back through the overgrowth at the early part of trek, completing tramp bang on 5 hours, being approx. 8.9kms of hard out tramping, well done all. Back to base where we could clean up and begin nibbles and well earned drinks before we would enjoy the company of Helen’s younger brother Jeff at the family farm, Crookstown originally named by her parents.

We had meat, potatoes, salads and pudding prepared ready for all. We arrived at the farm, no brother there, but we bowled on in, sorted salads , potatoes and started up barbeque to cook meat, ten minutes on Jeff (brother) and his son James arrived back from milking cows, happy to see group and knowing his food for tea was being cooked. As all was ready, Jeff’s wife Margie arrived home , she was welcomed as the feast began, then believe it or not the sun shone and completed a great day. It was a great feed, followed by a tasty pudding. It was a great night, nearly completed, but young Jill Reid was not going to let the night stop there, with a cheeky grin she asked Jeff one last request , would you sing a song or two before we going, Jeff did not need too much persuasion, the entray from his latest CD was a song about his youngest son Ben called “That’s Ben”. He told us in his earlier singing years how the names in America, such as Arizona, Alabama, made well known songs this is where the idea came to sing a song he wrote also from CD, Down over Crookston, their family farm, with a round of applause the lucky audience asked for one more request, which he was happy to sing, and told us how Garry Morris American Country and Western star, had made famous, the song, “Take Him Home” from the famous show Les Misirables, and he if he could remember all the words, sang it to perfection, what a fantastic surprise to a special day, whoohoo what an end to a special day!!

(Anyone wanting the CD can be purchased for $15 Helen can organise purchase). On return to camp the kids of the group played on the camps swings slides, roundabouts, a nightcap then zzzzz.

The final day on Thursday, saw a few sore bodies, Camp at Black Gully tidy, we left, morning coffee at Top Nosh, with no lack of get up and go, we got to car park, then set off tramping through fabulous bush to the flowing waterfall at whiskey gully.

Some of the men took a drink from mug left on the pole, the water was pure, gold coloured being leached from lichen and leaves and chilled to perfection. After lunch we returned, to carpark, then walked up to lookout, no mist, the view of hills and Tapanui.

The three days had ended, some took off home others called in at Whitechapel Church to view antiques etc, note the owner had won a stage of tour de France in the 1960s.

Well done Taieri Recreational Tramping Group, special people, special times!!

Helen and Phil

 

No. 111 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Bus Trip. Walk Millers Flat to Beaumont”

5. 2/10/2019. Both. Bus Trip. Millers Flat/Horseshoe Bend – Beaumont. Rail Trail-Road/ORC Millennium Track-Road. M. Eleanore and Bob.

On a chilly spring morning, 45 members assembled at 8:15 a.m. eager to board bus and head Central for a walk along the Clutha Gold Trail.
We arrived at the Island Block entry at 10:10 a.m., luckily to a convenient hay barn where we had smoko.

This was followed by a show of hands to see who was keen to layer up and head off in a shower of rain—17 accepted the offer to hike 3km round the hill track …

… to the Horseshoe bend swing bridge crossing the Clutha …

…  to meet up with the rest of the group.
Meanwhile, we travelled to Millers Flat, crossing the Clutha and turned right heading back down the rather narrow gravel road (managed to meet a twin cab and trailer coming our way, he backed off and let us through).  We passed the Lonely Grave site, then soon after arrived at Horseshoe Bend.  Car Park was probably not designed as a bus turn, however, Wayne successfully manoeuvred his bus turn.
The majority got off in sunshine

to head along the trail.  Looking back we spotted the first group hot on our heels.

The Ramblers were happy to enjoy the bus trip back to Beaumont where some intended to hike along from the bridge and back.  I also  heard a whisper on the bus, some were happy to try out lunch at the hotel.
We stopped for lunch

by a little old shed and cattle stop at 12:15 p.m. for half an hour firstly in sunshine,

followed by another shower (Lots sheltered in the shed).

We all set off

enjoying looking at fresh bright willow leaves, healthy Hereford cows,

the mighty Clutha,

blossom

and particularly the easy grade of the track.
We arrived back to the bus …

… at 3.00 p.m. after a 14km (17km) trot along the trail.
Afternoon tea was pre arranged at the hotel for $10.  We were greeted with very friendly staff and a great spread, including scones with jam and cream!  YUM.  We thanked them and they thanked us for the business.  Was great to observe how happy everyone was enjoying catching up with each other.  Particularly, with Judy Knox, who was on her last outing before moving to Townsville.  I am sure you will come back and visit us Judy.  We sure will miss you!!
We arrived home about 5:15 p.m. after a great day out.  Thanks to the Club for subsidising the bus.
Eleanore and Bob.

2/10/2013. Bus Trip. Roxburgh. River Walk, bridge to Pinders Pond. Leaders: Chris and Dot.

The first thing to say is Bravo to Chris and Dot for their planning a most interesting tramp; and providing Continue Reading »

10/10/2007. All. Tawanui Bus Trip. 8.00 a.m. start. Leaders: Ria L, Peter & Wendy

16/3/2005. Hikers. Bus Trip. Rail Trail. Leaders: Eleanor, Molly. (Trampers do Rock and Pillar)

4/10/2000. Bus Trip, Earnscleugh Road. Leaders: Joan H, Ian, Colleen.