Mosgiel trampers met the town trampers at Waitati then travelled to the Doctors Point car park.
About to leave the cars (photo and caption John)
25 trampers began the trek along the beach in mild weather looking toward the horizon with calm sea and a very photogenic sky.
Fading sunrise on the beach (photo and caption Pam)
We walked through the rock arches …
Through the Arches (photo and caption Pam)
Almost good enough for a swim before morning tea (photo and caption Phil K)
… and carried on to the headland, which was the site of the Mapoutahi Pa, for our morning tea in warming temperatures.
Morning tea at the Mapoutahi Pa Site (photo and caption John)
We then headed through the trees on a 4wd track skirting the puddles as we went. We walked the road around the Purakaunui Inlet …
Are we going up that hill -yes! (photo and caption Phil K)
Regroup at Purakanui, below Osborne Township (photo and caption John)
… then turned off at the Purakaunui Station road to cross the rail tracks and begin the McKessar track. The beginning of the track was a bit muddy and slippery but improved as we ascended through the bush.
No trouble slowing down, even without a horse (photo and caption Phil K)
There was a lot of debris littering the track from the strong winds we had about four weeks ago.
Looking back over Purakaunui Inlet (photo and caption Pam)
Strolling through the pines (photo and caption Pam)
We stopped at the ruins of original McKessar stone cottage and as the area had been cleared and logged, we were able to investigate the remains of the stone outbuildings.
Old ruins at McKessar Farm (photo and caption Sarah)
Plenty of firewood, but no fire at McKessars Homestead (photo and caption Phil K)New light through old windows (Chris Rea album title) (photo and caption John)
Lunch was enjoyed at this spot as it was sunny and the clearance afforded a sea view. The next part of the track feels steeper with a full tummy but it’s not long until it meets with the Mopanui Ridgeline track by the Orokonui Ecosantuary.
Stone wall on Mopanui Ridgeline Track (photo and caption Pam)
We regrouped at the top and took in the amazing vistas looking towards the coast, the hills and down to the beautiful Blueskin Bay. We made our way down the track having to skirt a couple of large fallen pine trees, over the crumbling rock wall and onto David’s track. This is a lovey track through the bush before coming out at the top of Whites Road. We then walked back along the road to the carpark. Refreshments were enjoyed at Blueskin Bay Nursery.
Length of tramp is approximately 14km, elevation gain of 472m.
Karen McInnes
4. 29/6/2016. Trampers. Orokonui, Mopanui. Medium. Leaders: Helen and Judy D.
Ten of us left car park and travelled in two cars up to the Orokonui Ecosanctury We were walking round the outside of the fence. Walking up to the first corner we had our morning tea.
More uphill. (Helen pic and caption.)
Then a clamber up the 468 meters to the trig at the top of Mopanui.
Trig at top. (Helen pic and caption.)
Worth the climb up as the views were some of the best we had seen anywhere.
Over to the Estuary. (Helen pic and caption.)From top of Mopanui. (Helen pic and caption.)Towards Portobello. (Helen pic and caption.)
Continuing around the fence line to the start of some steep downhill we stopped for our lunch.
Starting on the steep hill we renamed Tumble Hill. Judy lost it on the rolling gravel crashing into Eleanor who crashed and rolled getting a hole in her precious 1980s shorts. No major damage. Then Jay slipped on the gravel as well. The rest of us hugged the fence to keep upright.
We all got right round and had our welcome coffee after out interesting and hardish almost 10km tramp. – Helen.
