Pine Hill, Mount Cargill round trip

Click Mount Cargill history for background information

4. 13/09/2023. Trampers. Pine Hill, Mt Cargill. Grade 3.5, $5, 20km, Leaders: John Gardiner, Dave Roberts

Having already somewhat created a “rod for my own back”, in starting the Wizard of Oz theme in my tramp preamble last week, after some prompting, I’ll try to intertwine the “Wizard” theme into this report. Inevitably particularly pertinent to trampers, some yellow brick road references.

Getting ready to leave the cars - John
Getting ready to leave the cars (Photo & Caption John)

On an overcast morning with a chilly wind, 21 trampers, who arrived in 6 cars, set out at 10.00am, on the start of our tramp in Cowan Road. Like Dorothy at the beginning of her yellow brick road journey, most trampers had no idea where they would venture during the day.

– One interpretation of the “Wizard Fable” is that on life’s journey, tenacity, and perseverance in striving for a goal is a core value.

Following Dorothy to see what lies ahead - Pam
Following Dorothy to see what lies ahead (Photo & Caption Pam)

Following the previously described, muddy, gorse lined portal to what lay beneath, morning tea was enjoyed at 10.40am on the lower, wider, gravel road, at a sheltered spot.

About to have morning tea - John
About to have morning tea (Photo & Caption John)

– Some believe the gold colour of the yellow brick road and the green “Emerald City” represent the currency arguments the US experienced in the 1900’s.

Soon we were on the track leading down through the forest, with a pine needle carpet underfoot, and after following a fence line, we were soon on the gravel road to Sullivans Dam, arriving at 11.20am.

Tramping through the pines - Pam
Tramping through the pines (Photo & Caption Pam)

-During the making of the “Wizard” movie, the snow scene contained fake asbestos based snow that left many on set chronically ill!

Lunch in the sun - John
Lunch in the sun (Photo & Caption John)

Lunch was enjoyed at the beautiful Sullivans Dam, beginning a little early, at 11.50am, in a sheltered spot. We had reached our destination.

the shaft of light from above made the trout rise to Graeme's delight - Phil K
The shaft of light from above made the trout rise to Graeme’s delight (Photo & Caption Phil)

-In the Wizard story the Emerald City is a place to which Dorothy, the tin man, the lion, and the scarecrow journey in order to achieve their various dreams.

By 12.15pm we were on our way again, walking around the side of Sullivans Dam to the start of the “Cloud Forests of the Leith” track. This track, with it’s many boardwalk sections and beautiful bush (even a ‘bush telegraph’ and Gnome Grotto) adding yet more variety to our tramp.

No “I’m not having problems with my internet banking - Pam
No, I’m not having problems with my internet banking (Photo & Caption Pam)
Creatures of the forest - Pam
Creatures of the forest (Photo & Caption Pam)

-In the Wizard story the yellow brick road was at times very rough. The scarecrow often stumbled over the yellow bricks, which were very uneven, sometimes even broken, or missing altogether, leaving holes that dog Toto (a West Highland Terrier) and Dorothy jumped across or walked around.

Board walking - Pam
Board walking (Photo & Caption Pam)

Arriving at the top of the Cloud Forests track by 1.20pm, we regrouped with a magnificent view north to Blueskin Bay and beyond, before following the gravel road to the base of the “portal” gorse lined track.

Regrouping - Pam
Regrouping (Photo & Caption Pam)
Panorama - Blueskin Bay in the distance - John
Panorama – Blueskin Bay in the distance (Photo & Caption John)

On this section a navigational error by your’s truly resulted in everyone walking a bit further than necessary to a dead end part of the road. The greatest consequence of this being my embarrassment!

Are you sure we are going the right way - Pam
Are you sure we are going the right way (Photo & Caption Pam)

– In the Wizard story, Dorothy follows the yellow brick road, intending to find the Wizard, who would bestow on her the knowledge to achieve her goal, only to find that she had the answer within her all along.

Heading up the gorse lined final section of our tramp took us back to the cars by 2.30pm, having covered approx 8 km. A Grade 3 tramp.

Happy trampers - Pam
Happy trampers (Photo & Caption Pam)

-So where was the yellow brick road? Some believe it is a brick road in Peekshill, New York, where author L.Frank Baum attended Peekshill Military Academy. Others believe it was inspired by a road paved in yellow bricks near Holland, Michigan where Baum spent many summers.

Afternoon tea was enjoyed at the Crocodile Cafe, Dunedin Botanic Garden, on what had developed into a mild , sunny day. As a footnote – I did apply and receive a permit to walk on the City Forests section of this tramp, only to receive a later email, stating that it wasn’t necessary if we stayed on the Escarpment or 3 Peaks tracks.
Special thanks to Dave Roberts for acting as tail end Charlie and Graeme Souter for his help with the rece.

– Goodbye yellow brick road.

John Gardiner.

3. 29/9/1993. Mount Cargill car park. Down Cowan Road. Round Mount Cargill, Organ Pipes. Medium. Leaders: Les W, Jack R, Ray, Ted.
2. 12/5/1993. Pine Hill, Mount Cargill. Return North Easy Valley. Medium. Leaders: Ria L, Catherine, Peter and Penny.
1. 4/9/1991 Pine Hill, Mount Cargill. A round trip. Average+. Leaders: Nel K, Ria L, Penny & Peter

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