Dec 05 2019
Bull Ring, Ben Rudd
4/12/2019. Hikers and Ramblers. Bull Ring. Leaders Betty and Jim Finnie
The weather was marginal at the start but improved as we progressed up the fire break to the turn off to Ben Rudd’s hut. This was a pleasant sheltered spot for the 20 hikers to enjoy morning tea with the sun making its presence felt. Retracing our steps back up to the fire break we followed across to join the Pineapple track which we followed for a short distance to inspect the recent burned area, giving us an excellent vista of the city.
Again retracing our steps to a sheltered spot near the summit of Flagstaff we had a chance meeting up with our 4 ramblers for lunch. Westerly conditions persisted on the way down hill to the cars at the Bull Ring. Coffee stop was at a busy Topiary’s where a strong breeze seemed to assist the sparrows in their dive bombing attempts for food.
Leaders were Betty & Jim Finnie
Seven of us gathered at the Bull Ring
and set off up the Firebreak road towards Flagstaff in windy but fine weather. We noted the entrance to a track on our left marked with a white plastic bag, guessing it might be the exit from Big Rock. Down the road a bit we turned onto the Ben Rudd’s track and reached the shelter …
… just before 10 am, in time for the traditional morning tea break.
Then it was on again, turning left at the shelter, scrambling up over rough rocks and through flax and tussock on a track that wasn’t too hard to find, to reach Big Rock. Great views from here, across to where the Rollinsons Road goes up the hill, and further, over to Silver Peaks.
Another scramble took us up and out to the Firebreak road again – yes, at the white plastic bag. Déjà vu! Off again to the Ben Rudd shelter and a yarn about future tramps. Only 11.30, so down the Jim Freeman track we trundled to the junction with McQuilkans for lunch. Here we admired the solid signs
placed by Ian and Ken to indicate track direction.
From there it was only a short stroll out to the Whare Flat Road and the grunt back up the hill to the car park. And not quite 1pm! 7.4kms and over 400m of climbing – not a big day but very pleasant. – Judy, for Ken, Ian, Arthur, Helen, Eric and Neil.