Leith Saddle, Swampy Spur, Transmitter Tower. Also Rustlers and Burns Tracks

Cars park off motorway at Leith Saddle yard (alternatively down side road at bridge (restricted space). 25 km from car park.
Walk across side road to track.
Gravelled track 1.5 km. (morning tea on lookout seats a little further on)
Transmitter Tower 2 hours.
Going further: along road past doppler radar to DoC sign.
Right along Rustlers Ridge track to junction with Burns Track.
Through junction and up and round hill on Rustlers Ridge Track. (Lunch on hill)
Down ridge to pipeline. (Alternatively turn right at junction for Burns and down to pipeline)
Turn right along pipeline.
5.5 hours in all.
Burns – Rustlers circuit Maintained by Green Hut Track Group. DCC land.

Rustlers Ridge, Burns Track, Swampy Spur, Transmitter Tower – Information and Trips Library

35. 22/11/2023. Trampers. Burns/Rustlers Ridge. Grade 4. 25km. Leaders: Phil Morris/Carolyn Pridham.

On an overcast muggy day, 20 Trampers headed to Leith Saddle. We set off down Leith Valley road, and left up Burns Track entrance onto Pipeline Track, we continued past Burns Track and along to junction of Pipeline /Rustlers track (50mins). We crossed the creek and began working up the first even climb.

Because of length of tramp morning tea was had later than usual about 5 mins before Burns Rustlers junction, where we could take in views of mountains in the distance and an 1hr 30mins from the start.

This gave us sustenance to get through swampier creeks and a good climb to north side of Swampy (lunch stop). The views were great, the white clematis in the trees was blooming, the birds were chirping, and the serenity of the silence of this track is why our tramping climb disappear up this track.
We found the best spot for lunch,” Wow” Long Ridge, Pulpit Rock, Mt Watkins, Blueskin Bay, Rock and Pillars all in front of us to name a few.

A healthy lunch was had, we continued 10 mins and arrived at Swampy, this was about level with the TV mast above Bethune’s Gully, views of Port Chalmers hills, High Cliff Road, to the right, right round to hills listed above along with the Chalkies, Powder Ridge. MAGIC!!

We continued on, and went left back down upper Burns track. The track is in great condition thanks to the Wednesday track clearers.

It was 45 mins down to the junction. The variety of trees, flax, and grasses, all was taken in while descending a further 45 mins down lower Burns track. Then back to Leith Valley Road and onto the car park.
After removing boots, we consumed some Praline Italian chocolatas yummie!!

Well done trampers, a really tough tramp but extremely enjoyable day in humid conditions, thanks for the humour, chatter and special day in the northern Dunedin hills
We loved entertaining you, cheers Caroline and Phil
15.2km Distance, 575 Elevation, A track Rating of 4, (if wet would be 4.5) A 5 hour Tramp.

34. 31/08/2022. Trampers. Leith Saddle/Burns/Rustlers (4) Leaders Phil and Sarah

On a warm day16 trampers joined up at the car park on the northern motorway by the Leith Valley boardwalk entrance. We headed down the gravel road for 500m and then turned left into the pipeline track.

The pipeline was installed in 1904 and takes water from Burns Creek and head of the Waitati river over Leith Saddle and into Sullivan’s Dam.  We had to clamber over a large branch of a tree that had snapped.

The track was muddy as we turned left up Burns track to start the elevation workout of the first half of tramp.

We could only commend the fantastic job of track clearing done by the Wednesday track clearers who had the track in first-class condition.  A decision was made to delay morning tea until 10.45ish and the sound of whistling birds, good company, and pleasant surroundings made it an enjoyable climb.

At the Burns Rustlers junction Sarah took over the leader (thanks Sarah) and I yakked away with Dave and Marijke and the girls at the back of the group. At about 1.15 the hunger pains kicked in and lunch was the call.

After replenishment, making sure Johnnie had finished his, we continued 200m to a pristine view north of the hills of Pulpit rock, Rosella Ridge, Mt Watkins, Blueskin Bay, Mt Cargill, Rock, and Pillars. Wow! I wonder how many don’t know this exists or that it comes with a wee bit of effort. Bring it on!!!!

The University of Otago Space Research Field Station was on the left, then on to Aircraft Navigation Station. We continued left down Upper Burns Track to return to the junction with around 2.30hrs of tramping ahead of us. No baby goats as per Reece, a hunter who was in the area having done his job. We headed along Rustlers track. Sadly the mist had come in from the hills over Port Chalmers giving us only glimpses back of views of the hills to the west.

We continued down Rustlers and joined the north of pipeline track with a view of the motorway. We knew we still had 40mins of walking. The mist had passed and it was a pleasant final hike back to the entrance of the Leith valley and the climb up to the car park.  As it was after 4 pm, the final part of the plan to go down to Sullivan’s Dam didn’t happen and muffins chocolates, and fudge were had at the car park.  Yummy.

Distance 14km   Elevation 540m

Time walked 4.10min (time for tramp 6.10min)

Track rating, after discussion, is track itself 4 if dry and 4.5 if wet and 4 for distance.

Phil

33. 28/10/2019. Trampers. Rustlers Track/Swampy Summit. Leader: Dave.

16 keen trampers met at the Leith saddle and parked down the gravel road at the start of the pipeline track. There had been rain overnight and the weather report was not particularly favourable.

The track was wet underfoot with odd areas of mud. Morning tea was held at a dry spot with a view.

After some pleasant walking through bush and ferns we moved on to Rustlers track. This was when the hill climbing started up to Swampy summit.

The higher we climbed the more open the alpine shrubs were – causing the strong wind to feel colder.

Everyone was prepared for sleety showers and cold wind on the tops. We moved quickly to find a sheltered lunch spot.

The sun briefly shone on the way down from swampy summit.

The walk down through the mature bush, with ferns, was a pure pleasure.

On reaching the Leith saddle it was then a short walk down to the cars.

We walked 11.3km in under 4 hours over varied terrain with beautiful scenery. Thanks to the Green hut track group for maintaining the track. Also thanks to Rob for being at the rear of the group.

Coffee was enjoyed at Blend.

Dave

32. 6/9/2017. Both. Leith Saddle, Swampy, Burns, Pipeline Tracks circuit. M. Leaders: Betty and Jim.

A total of 33 persons started.
The total party walked to the Lookout Point for morning tea and at this point George Haggie served chocolates to celebrate his birthday.

Some of the party turned back because of the increased steepness and slipperiness of the track caused by recent rain.

From this point 15 trampers split off and forged ahead for an extended tramp that brought them down to the gravel road and back to the cars at the saddle.

7 hikers had lunch at the micro wave tower at the summit before returning to the cars at the Saddle where they met up with the members that had returned earlier.

We then adjourned to the Plaza Cafe and the tramping party arrived a short time later.

Weather conditions were pleasant.
Cell phone coverage to stay in contact with the split up groups was of assistance. – Betty and Jim.
…..
The combined group split after morning tea on the Leith Saddle Track, 15 trampers forging ahead to go further.

We reached the Microwave up on Swampy soon after 11 am…

…and decided to carry on to Swampy Summit and do a circuit instead of returning down the same track.
The breeze up top was decidedly chilly but the views were superb – 360 degrees. Whichever way you looked there was something to see.

We rested briefly beside “The Space Ship” (Aviation V.O.R. Beacon) at the highest point of Swampy while Neil2 explained its use.

Further on we turned off onto the “Access Track to Burns and Rustlers Tracks” – so the sign stated. Wouldn’t it be simpler to call it “Rustlers” Track – or would that not be logical?
It was lovely walking through the tussock on the upper part of this track. After a time we stopped to ear our lunch in the sunshine, sitting in the shelter,

and still with nice views to the north-east.

Further down, the track was a bit slippery in the bush but we soon came to the Junction.

It is some years since I was last on the lower half of Burns Track, and had forgotten how much pleasure could be had while slip-sliding down the first steep and muddy part. There were also some muddy patches further down, and several members of the group made the most of the opportunity provided to add some mud to their clothing, etc.
However, most of the Burns Track was very pleasant. At the bottom it was along the Pipeline Track and then the road for a kilometre to gain the cars where they had been parked.

Today’s tramp had provided a good variety – bush tracks, tussock, and views – what a great day it had been. Distance – 10.8 km.
The hikers had already returned, so most of the trampers followed to rejoin them at the Stadium’s coffee shop to complete the day. – Art.

31. 23/11/2016. Trampers. Leith Saddle, Swampy, Rustlers, Pipeline Tracks circuit. M. Leader: Arthur.

It was a bit of a shock to the system when we climbed out of the cars at the Leith Saddle carpark beside the Northern Motorway. A cold wind was funnelling up from the south, bringing low cloud with it.

But the Leith Saddle Track was nice and sheltered and we soon warmed up as the first ten minutes had a distinct uphill flavour to it. A good gravel track, with nice native forest to enjoy. Lot of ferns too, but not much birdlife today.

We reached the observation point at about 10.00 a.m., but the only view we got was of lots of cloud. We had our morning tea in the shelter of the vegetation close by.

As we climbed higher the low cloud cleared a little and we could get the occasional glimpse of the city, and back towards Blueskin Bay.

The wind was cold and most unpleasant

when we reached ‘Swampy Spur Trig S’, which is quite exposed. Otherwise the track was more sheltered till we reached the microwave, where we found a group of six trampers having their morning tea. A five minute stop with them was taken. They had proceeded us up the track, but were returning by a different route to us.

From the microwave we had a half hour road walk on top of Swampy.

We kept moving as the wind was rather coolish, but we could get quite a good view down over Mosgiel and the Taieri, if a little hazy.

We turned off onto the good track through the tussock, heading down “Rustlers Ridge”. The sign at the top states “Access track to Rustlers and Burns Tracks.”

The weather seemed to be clearing a little and we could get a good look at the Silver Peaks. We stopped a little early for our lunch, while there was still a good view of Blueskin Bay. Unfortunately a light shower arrived while we were eating but we were well hunkered down in shelter.

A chocolate treat from birthday girl, Judy K, keep our spirits up. – Thanks, Judy.

Only a few minutes’ travel got us to the junction with Burns Track. We continued down Rustlers, eventually reaching the Pipeline Track which would take us back in the direction of the cars.

The Pipeline Track had a few muddy patches on it, but also some very pleasant parts. The rocks were a bit slippery when we crossed Burns Creek, and we were soon out onto the road for the last kilometre or so.

The eight trampers out for the day’s fun had walked 12.1 km – a good training day for the tougher tramps coming in the next two weeks. And it had been an enjoyable day’s tramp. Moving time was 2 hrs 40 mins.

It came on to rain lightly as we got back to Dunedin, where we stopped at the Hot Chocolate Shop (some did have coffee though). And then back to Mosgiel, all fired up for next week. – Art.

30. 25/11/2015. Trampers. Burns-Rustlers.

Today, we did a tramp that maybe only one member of the group had done before.

We started off at the beginning of Burns Track from the Leith Valley Rd. car park, made our way up the short climb to the Pipeline track, where we turned right, & walked along to the short track leading to the Intake for the pipeline. We thought this was the entrance to Burns track, as Hamel’s book states that the entrance is hard to find. However, we soon ran out of track, so retraced our steps, & walked further along the Pipeline track until we found the large sign proclaiming Burns Track, & this was where we had morning tea.

As we were making our way up to Burns saddle, we came across two Green Hut track workers, who were doing a great job of track maintenance. The climb up to Burns saddle is quite steep, but with a few rest stops we all made it ok.
After some discussion, we decided to take the track to Swampy Summit, & have lunch at the Airways building at the start of the Swampy Ridge track.

After lunch we walked along the Swampy Ridge track till we found the sign at the top of Burns track. We followed this sometimes muddy/swampy track back to the Burns Saddle, & then took Rustlers track back down to the Pipeline track. This was also a bit muddy in places, so I don’t think anybody got home with clean boots. From here it was just a walk back along the Pipeline track [also a bit muddy] back to the cars.

There were some tired bodies at the end, but all enjoyed the walk on a very nice [25° C] day to be out tramping.

Walked 12km
3.4km/h
3h 30min moving
climbed 562m
max height 740m – Ken

29. 4/2/2015. Both. Leith Saddle, Swampy Spur, Transmitter Tower. Leaders: Ian, Jill.

Twenty-three of us turned up for the scheduled Leith Saddle Track route. To accomodate our differing individual climbing speeds, the leaders advised us to climb at our most comfortable rates, to all meet at the view point seats for the morning cuppa. After a sociable meeting, Jill led us on again, ever onwards and upwards. However rain set in, getting only heavier and colder with even some hail appearing. And it did get HEAVY. At the trig on the exposed Swampy Spur, the wind was so fierce that leader Jill made a prudent decision, given the uncertain outlook at the time, for the Hikers to turn back,  allowing seven Trampers among us to carry on. Unbeknownst to us at the time,  the worst was over and the storm was passing. For the Trampers, of course, there was the immediate shelter in the dip in the track beyond the Trig, where it drops down from the Swampy Spur.  For the Hikers, it was back down into the shelter of the bush.
The Trampers reached the Telecom Tower on Swampy Ridge. The possibility of going on along Swampy Ridge to the point where the Rustlers Ridge track turns off, and returning along the Burns track was complicated with one or two of the party being found to be part of car loads with Hikers who were already returning back.
Meantime the Hikers had spent some time down at the Lookout, allowing all to regroup and make sure everyone was all right. As it turned out, Elaine had taken a fall on one of the wet wooden step side edges but was still mobile. During that time, the Trampers caught up on the Hikers just as the latter were setting off down again.
At track’s bottom, we separated. A few stopped off nearby to lunch in the sun.
Several Trampers, (whose car-loads were not complicated with some Hiker passengers), set off down the Waitati Road and along the pipeline track to take a look at the end of the Burns Track for those among them who hadn’t seen it before.
Here is Ken’s account of that part:
“These pics…

…were taken on the pipeline track at the bottom of Burns track. We just went for a little bit of a recce to see what the area was like, with a view to doing something in that area later. -Ken.”
The majority of the Hikers lunched at Sullivan’s Dam in calm sunny air on a nicely warmed-up concrete slope.
Somewhat approaching a dozen caught up on each other at Topiary’s later for a convivial coffee.
An interesting day. A different day. All ended well (except for Elaine). – Ian (for the leaders).

28. 5/12/2012. Both. Leith Saddle. Leaders: Bev and Leslie.

27. 13/11/2013 Trampers. Leith Saddle, Swampy, Rustlers, Pipeline tracks.
From the Leith Saddle we went up a very well constructed and maintained track to the picnic area (where the seats are) where we had our morning tea. In the quiet, the roar of trucks on the motorway was very noticeable.
We encountered fog from that point on, very light of course, but when we got to the top it was clear only at the place we were and a short distance ahead.
We passed the place where it seemed the aliens had landed (the airplanes navigation complex) and headed down the track that that led to the junction of the Burns and Rustlers tracks.
We lunched about halfway down Rustlers in a good sheltered spot. We eventually got down to the bottom and headed along the almost flat pipeline track. The end part of it was mown grass! Instead of heading down the farm track we continued right ahead, across the bridge and out onto the road and back up to the car.
I must say all track signs were very clear. – Heb.

Once we turned off onto the track linking down to the Burns/Rustlers junction, the wind was now more comfortably behind us. Relief. And then when the track started its plunge down from the tops, – no wind. Ahh. Had it stopped or were we just sheltered?

We should pause here to acknowledge the benefit of the most magnificent track-clearing work we have ever experienced on this track. Bravo. Where tussock, celmisia and flax often used to overhang and impede, the track was open all the way! In fact, when we got to the steepest and slipperiest part just before the junction, it was hard to find anything left to hang onto!

At the junction, all was sheltered and most pleasant with bits of sun shining through. We lingered for a while after lunch.

Rustlers had been cleared too, but it was the same old Rustlers Ridge, tree-rooted and bits of bog in places.

Then we were down on the contoured Pipeline track, level – did I say level? – all the way except for its now many ups and downs.

And its boggy bits get not better. Except, that  someone has where possible put sodded tracks alongside some of the worst of them. Except for the following one.

Remember the detour that led around to the Burns Creek weir crossing? Well, it’s still there, but now relegated to redundancy. The former disused track that lead down to the old non-existent bridge, has been reopened and steps dug down into the creek and back up the farther side.

Whom to thank for all the track work we benefited from today? The Green Hut group? Task Force Green? Well, thanks all, anyway. You made it all so much easier and pleasanter.

Then it was just onto the really level part of the Pipeline track, past the foot of the Burns Track, out the old Waitati Road and up the cars. As you can see from the pics, we were well wrapped up, we survived and enjoyed a good workout. – Ian.

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25. 24/3/2010. Trampers. Leith Saddle, Swampy Ridge Track, return Burns Track, Pipeline Track. Moderate.

Today was the first time we tried out the track since it had replaced the steep stepped boardwalk two years ago.

It turned out to be an excellent tightly-packed gravel path bordered all the way to the lookout with staked sides. In contrast to the former stepped boardwalk, (a few of whose boards had also suffered breakages), we encountered no steps until well up the hillside. (This didn’t exclude some quite steep slopes also at times.) But what a path!

On the steeper slope past the lookout excellent steps had replaced the former scramble. It was gravel with occasional heavy metal all the way, past Swampy Spur right up the telecommunications tower at the top.

24. 24/11/2008 Trampers. Leith Saddle, Rustlers Ridge, Swampy, Leith Saddle Tracks. Leaders: Peter & Wendy

Once again the weather forecast was chancy but nine of us had the best of the day, striking rain just as we got back to the cars at the end. From just a little way down the Waitati road from the Leith Saddle, by a bridge where we parked our cars, we made our way up to and then along the nicely level Waitati-Leith pipe-line track (that takes water to Sullivans Dam), passing the foot of the Burns track and going further along to the Rustlers as we had decided to do the circuit anti-clockwise this time. Rustlers proved well cleared and we made our way easily up to the crossing junction of the 4 tracks, viz. Rustlers Ridge (and the extension of Rustlers up to Swampy Summit) and Burns (and the Burns extension to the Swampy Ridge track further north) and early-lunched at 11.30 a.m.

Returning on the Burns, we soon crossed the Burns Creek…

…and enjoyed the walk through the flax and later the bush, back down to the pipe line and out to the cars. We heard a bell-bird and two or three grey warblers but that was all. We enjoyed the bush and were rewarded by the magnificent views. – Ian

 23. 29/10/2008. Trampers. Burns-Rustler. Medium-. Leaders: Leonie, George, Ria L