Mid-week recreational and social walking group based in Mosgiel NZ
Berwick Forest Tracks and Beyond
No. 35 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Berwick Forest. G Such. Wenita. Nov-April. Year round”
Location: Old Wool Shed: 30 km.
Location: Lodge: 33 km.
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40. 11/9/2019. Trampers, Waipori Forest, Meggetburn. Leaders: Alan and Kerry
22 Trampers set off down to Berwick and left a car at the Government Track car park.5 cars then carried on to the start of the track, by the road, into the Berwick Forest Lodge.
A steady walk up through native bush and forest
1st obstacle. (Gordon pic and caption.)Heading to Morning tea break. (Gordon pic and caption.)
to a welcome morning tea stop.
Morning tea. (Gordon pic and caption.)
Then down hill to the Meggatburn Stream which had quite a waterflow, so it was difficult to cross without getting wet feet.
2nd obstacle– Some wet feet. (Gordon pic and caption.)
Then up we climbed to Shaws Road. The track had been clipped back to allow for easier access. Therefore the track was easy to follow.
Regroup on way to top. (Gordon pic and caption.)
The day started well weather wise but with showers pending,
Heading down to Waipori Gorge for lunch. (Gordon pic and caption.)
we quickly carried on
A couple of budding models on the stone seat. (Gordon pic and caption.)
to a hut for our lunch, near the old Waipori picnic ground which is no more.
Walking out after lunch, we crossed the bridge on the Waipori River
Next stop Wobbly Goat. (Gordon pic and caption.)
and walked down to where the car was parked.Then 5 drivers returned to the rest of the group to collect trampers. Followed by a coffee session at the Wobbly Goat. – Kerry.
39. 12/12/2018. All. End of year. Pot luck meal at Berwick Lodge. Leaders: Peter, Wendy and Dave.
Route map, courtesy Ian. Trampers and most Hikers were led from the Lodge by Dave and Keith along Hook Road, up, up, up Farm Road, left along Old Boundary Road and down, up and back down again along a track through broom, gorse and trees to the Old Wool Shed site on Hook road, and back along it to the Lodge again. Peter led the Ramblers on a shorter walk.Young at Heart – Judy!!! (Dave pic and caption.)
A number of former club members turned up to a well-provisioned finger food meal at mid-day, and bowser a well covered trestle table of books, sale proceeds to go to the new Mosgiel swimming pool. Over 40 of us leisurely ate and talked till President Jill took over. She introduced Bruce who had composed a 4-stanza song to the tune of “The Old Grey Mare, and after lyric sheets were handed out, led hearty singing of it.
Thanks to excellent preparation, Jill had a briefed a number of us to give 2-minute accounts of private trips, local and overseas. These were many and varied. A good ending to the year, at a venue many of us hadn’t visited before. – Ian.
There were 14 keen Trampers out today for a walk in the forest – one member of the group used the word “intrepid” in describing us.
It must be a few years since our Club has tramped this track? Anyway, the cars parked at the usual spot by the old woolshed on the road into the “Berwick Forest Lodge”.
It was noticed that the toilet facilities by the carpark were absent, as about a month ago some “empty head” had burned it down!
There was a brief paddock walk in the sunshine (sunny all day) before crossing the footbridge over Boundary Creek, to the beginning of the track up into the pine trees. After about 150 yards we came to 6 large trees down over the track, which were successful negotiated by going under, over, or around.
Smoko was taken in a sunny trackside spot, at the appropriate time.
Gathering on way up. (Helen pic and caption.)
Continuing uphill we soon came to and crossed a Forestry Road (Prentice Road). Now descending slowly we eventually came to the Meggat Burn, which was crossed without mishap using a variety of techniques. Electing to just plough through, not worrying about wet feet, and some crossed on the shallowest part of the rock ledge where it was maybe only 3 inches deep. The burn was only slightly up after all of the rain a few days ago.
(Margreet pic.)
While the track was muddy in many places, it was surprisingly good after the quantity of rain that had fallen. Further up there was vegetation, especially gorse, beginning to encroach but not impeding our progress.
The track came out onto a forestry road, Tobermory Road; and in 10 minutes more we reached Shaw Road before 12 noon. Down Shaw Road for a few minutes took us to our lunch spot in a sunny area under the Pole Line that parallels Shaw Road. There was a limited view down on to the Taieri from here, with Hope Hill in the background. We could even see the sea.
Lunch spot. (Helen pic and caption.)
The sunshine was most enjoyable, ideal for lying back forma little nap after eating – one tramper having to be roused to begin the return journey!
Our return followed the same route, some care being necessary descending a slippery clay section before arriving back at the Meggat Burn. All crossed in safety again although a piece of equipment may have been lost?
It was uphill for a little while, and then it was down all the way. It was very noticeable that the leaders were in a hurry to get home (I was at the back of the group here), and not wasting any time – probably they could detect the aroma coming from the coffee shop? But it was just their imagination!
We were back in the lovely sunshine at the cars by 2.30 pm, having tramped 13.5 km for the day’s effort.
The Leader was most gratified to hear that all of the party had thoroughly enjoyed the day’s walk (and talk). Considerable birtdsong was heard in the forest.
As per the usual custom, a stop was made in Outram for refreshments and discussion. And then back to Mosgiel, and then home for boot cleaning duty. – Art.
37. 15/12/2010. All. End of year. Lodge, Farm Rd, East Boundary, Old Wool Shed, Lodge. Pot luck meal at Berwick Lodge. Leaders: Peter and Wendy.
For some of us, accustomed to entering Berwick Forest along Terrace Range Rd by the Old Woolshed at the old HQ site, it was a new experience to travel further along the Berwick Road to enter the forest by the sign-posted Webbs Rd and then down Farm Rd, turning left onto Boundary Creek Road to arrive at the Lodge.
The walk took us back up Farm Road.We stopped for tea break at its crest where it crossed East Boundary Rd and continues to Webbs Road.
GPS of route courtesy Ken
From here we had a good view across to Waipori Lake.
View of Lake Waipori
Almost immediately off Webbs Rd, Peter and Wendy led us along a forestry track paralleling the E Boundary Rd (which you can see on the left of our GPSed route) through Douglas Firs…
Through Douglas Firs
…and blackberry brambles in the more open areas.
Brambles
Interesting foot bridge
The track ended where at a log-loading site we joined up with the East Boundary Road. Turning right, were almost immediately at the two-storey lookout, with its lovely view of the Sinclair Wetlands.
The Lookout on E. Boundary Road.
Boundary Road eventually wound its way around to Terrace Range Rd near the old HQ site by the Old Woolshed.
Further on it was left off Terrace Range Rd onto Boundary Creek Rd, (passing Farm Rd on our left, thereby completing the loop,) and so back to the Lodge for lunch. Good planned timing, Peter and Wendy!
Lunch inside
Peter reported that the tramp was 6kms long and 19 happy trampers took part, with one or two others joining us for lunch and a singsong with Bruce and his guitar.
Bruce leading the singing.
Peter, as Past President, gave a speech on behalf of President Bill who unfortunately could not attend due to ill health, and wished us well for the Christmas season. – Ian
36. 8/9/2010. Hikers. Berwick Forest from Old Woolshed. Leaders: Bob and Evelyn.
35. 13/5/2009 Both. Berwick Forest from old Woolshed. Pink Route. Terrace Range, Shetland Saddle Ridge, Market, East Boundary Medium. Leaders: Ian, Ken.
Well, an unusual start to the day. For a wet morning, but promising to clear up later in the day, 10, mostly Hikers, turned up at the carpark and after much discussion forewent the programmed Cleghorn Street-Signal Hill walk, and settled on a Berwick Forest road-walk, because ground everywhere was SO WET. And again, despite a longer walk than usual, it proved that Hikers can do anything, given time-out on the hills.
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Lunch. Ken & Neil stading. Peter & Bev sitting.
We endured one or two showers initially, giving way to cloud and latterly even to sunshine.
Down Shetland-Saddle Ridge. Peter & Neil at back. Bev at front.
It was instructive to witness extensive flooding everywhere and how waterways cope; also the transformations brought about by forest harvesting and re-growth that had taken place over the 10 years since the club last visited the area. Views of the Sinclair Wetlands rewarded the last stages of the day and we got back to the cars just after 3.00 p.m., tired, a bit sore, but triumphant. – Ian.
34. 31/10/2007 Shaw Road?
Although once again, weather report not so good and some cloud hanging around, we left the car park at 9am as usual for our hike in Waipori – Berwick Forest area with high hopes of a good day out. We parked by the side of the road and set off walking along the road then across farm land and up a fairly steep hill.
Morning Tea
Took our time and stopped frequently to admire the view which got more interesting and expansive the higher we got.
Certainly well worth the effort. Had views over Taieri, down to Waihola and over the Wetlands, as well as the hills and valleys round that area. We really enjoyed our morning tea break after our hard slog up the hill. From then on it was fairly easy, pleasant going along forestry roads and through the trees. Found a nice sheltered spot in the sun for our lunch and sat and made the most of the break and rest before returning to the cars the same way we had come. Day turned out to be a good one for hiking. Not too hot at first but warmed up considerably by the time we were on our way back. Another happy day for hikers. Bev.
32. 12/9/2007. Trampers. Berwick Forest from Old Woolshed. Medium. Leaders: Doug J, Tom
31. 7/6/2006. Old Woolshed to Shaw Road, return. Leaders: Bob H and Arthur H.
30. 7/6/2006. Both. Berwick Forest Lodge. Leaders (Medium): Bob H, Arthur H, (Easy): Margaret D, Val.
29. 14/12/2005. End of Year. All. Berwick Hall. Bring a plate. Leaders: Lance and Lois, Lesley S.
28. 26/5/2004. Old woolshed at Berwick to Waipori Return. H.Started from the old woolshed, through the forest, Meggat Burn to Shaw Road, and down the track to the picnic ground near the Waipori River Bridge to have lunch there. Returned the same way. It must have been a long, tough tramp to do that. (Recalled by Art.)
27. 18/12/2002. End of Year. All. Berwick Forest Pre-Christmas Tramp. Finger food lunch and flasks, wet or fine. Leaders: Bill H, Lesley S, Wendy J.
26. 19/12/2001. End of Year. Combined. Berwick Forest. Pre Xmas Tramp. Finger food lunch and flasks. Leaders: Graham, Bill H, Wendy J.
25. 13/12/2000. Berwick Forest – Pre-Xmas Tramp. Finger food lunch and flasks. Leaders: Margaret and Les, Bev H.
23. 16/2/2000. Berwick Forest Circuit. Leaders: Barbara McC, Mary L, Sabina.
22. 15/12/1999. Pre-Christmas tramp and lunch. Berwick Forest. Wet or Fine. Finger Food and Flasks. Leaers: Margaret and Les, Colleen.
21. 12/5/1999 Old Wool Shed. Green Route. Half track, half road. East Boundary, Hook, Halfway, Prentice, Oban, Ret. Leaders: Claude, Lex, Molly.
20. 3/2/1999. The Circle at Berwick Forest. Leaders: Jack R, Pat, Hazel.
19. 19/8/1998. Berwick Forest Tramp. Leaders: Les W, Eleanor.
18. 13/5/1998. Berwick, Shaws Hill, Hayes Woolshed. Leaders: Bill H, Lesley S.
17. 17/6/1998. Old Wool Shed. Pink Route. East Boundary, Market, Shetland Saddle Ridge, Terrace Range, Ret. Leaders: Graham, Claude.
16. 30/7/1997. Old Wool Shed. Pink Route. East Boundary, Market, Shetland Saddle Ridge, Terrace Range (Part), Halfway (part), Bishop, Longspur, Terrace Range (part), ret. Leaders: Graham, Claude, Les W.
15. 19/3/1997 Waipori Gorge to the Megget Burn stream, Berwick. Leaders: Molly, Diana and Ray
14. 12/2/1997. Woolshed Shaws Hill and return. Leaders: Colleen, Ted, Sabina.
13. 13/7/1994Berwick Forest Woolshed to Waipori and return.Leaders: Molly, Dot T, Graham, Frank
12. 31/3/1993. Berwick Forest. Medium. Leaders: Jack R, Barbara McC, Mervyn, Doreen.
11. 17/6/1992. Berwick Forest walk. Average. Leaders: Mary Y, Nola, Doreen, Mary McG
10. 25/9/1991 Berwick Forest and Native Reserve. Average. Leaders: Dot B, Jean Y, Denise
9. 10/7/1991 Berwick Forest Woolshed to Waipori. A good winter tramp. Average. Leaders: Eric & Dot, Ray, Joyce I, Catherine T
8. 11/10/1989. Berwick – Shaw’s Hill Road. Easy. Leaders: Joyce I, Joan A, Norman.
7. 6/9/1989 Berwick Forest. Average. Youth Camp to Native Reserve. Leaders: Ria L, Peg C, Peggy A
6. 7/6/1989. Berwick Forest from Forest Headquarters. Sheltered pine walk. Leaders: June W, Ria, Peggy, Peg
5. 14/5/1989 Waipori Gorge to Meggetburn stream, Berwick. Bush and Pine walk. Leaders: Daphne, Helen W, Mavis
4. 3/2/1989. Berwick Forest – The Upper Circle. Incorporates the Otago Youth Adventure Trust training track. Leaders: Jack, Pat, Hazel.
3. 21/9/1988 Berwick Forest from Old Woolshed to Boundary Creek and O.Y.A.T.I. camp. Leaders; Kees and Ria, Doreen.
2. 22/6/1988 Berwick Forest from the Woolshed. Back early for barbecue. Leaders: Dave and Jean
1. 13/4/1988. Berwick Forest from Shaw Hill Road. Leaders: Hugh, Jean Y.
Tnx.Ian
tnx Ian & fellow trampers-u obviously had a great day. was ready ,but decided to cut the grass instead. Looking fwd 2 cing some of u in the new year.