Evansdale, Careys Creek, Honeycomb, Rongomai – Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

Location: 37 km.

From Evansdale Glen. Route. DOC. Stream crossings. Preferably February when water most likely to be low.
Track up Careys Creek alone: an easy walk.

Click information on the Seacliff Dam, historical creek track and pipeline.

Careys Creek, Rongami, Honeycomb, Evansdale Glen, Black Gully Dam – Information and Trips Library Post

17. 13/03/2024. Trampers. Carey’s Creek, Rongomai, Honeycomb Tracks. Grade 3.5. $11. 39km. Leaders: Pam Cocks, Graeme Souter.

After a few concerns about the weather earlier in the week we were greeted with a cracker of a day. The Dunedin crew met at Woodhaugh Gardens as usual with our team leader deciding she simply must put on a pair of leggings to protect her legs whislt she “crushed” the overgrown grass that greeted us on our recce the previous week.

With that all organised it was off to meet the Mosgiel crew at Waitati then onto Evansdale Glen where 17 keen trampers headed off along the Careys Creek track. LOL leggings were not required as our friends from the Green Hut group where busy track clearing so for the most part the track was in great nick. These guys do a great job and it was nice to hear and see many of our team passing on their thanks for the work they do. Our leader had set a cracking pace and it took us about 45 minutes to reach the intersection of Rongomai and Honeycomb tracks where morning tea was taken before the tackling the climb up the Rongomai Track.

*Believe it or not, I did ask everyone to smile! Morning tea time. – photo & caption John*

This climb can only be described as bit of a gut buster however the track was dry and it didn’t seem to take us that long to reach the turn off to the Old Nature trail that would take us to Honeycomb

The Old Nature trail is arguably the most scenic part of this tramp. The track is a bit of an up and downer but takes you through some beautiful native bush and ferns growing everywhere.

*Lined up on Nature Trail – photo & caption Pam*

It was here however that one of our members took a tumble and it was initially thought had sprained her wrist. There was plenty of medical assistance available and she was soon patched up and able to continue. It does appear however that the wrist might have sustained a small break. Big thanks to everyone who assisted here.

We reached the junction for the Honeycomb track and again found it to be nice and dry so a favourable spot in the sun was found for a break and some well deserved lunch

*View north from Honeycomb Track – photo & caption Pam*

*Shady spot for lunch – photo & caption John*

This track has a very steep descent and much care is needed to safely negotiate this and the native bush back to the Careys Creek. With everyone safely down we followed the track, crossing the creek a number of times, passing the remains of the Seacliff water supply auxiliary intake weir back to the intersection with the Rongamai track. Care was needed crossing the creek as although it was low the many of the rocks were covered in a moss and proved to be very slippery.

*Crossing Careys Creek with old pipeline visible – photo & cation Pam*

It was then a leisurely stroll along Careys Creek track albeit with a slight detour into the creek with no exit by tail end charlie who was leading at this point.

Coffee, cake and a cold drink was enjoyed by all at the Blueskin Gallery cafe

*Enjoying the sunshine at Blueskin Gallery post tramp – photo & caption Pam*

Distance travelled about 11 km, with actual moving time about 4.5 hours.

Pam and Graeme

16. 19/04/2023. Trampers. Carey’s Creek, Rongomai, Honeycomb Tracks. Grade 3.5. $9. 39km. Leaders: Pam Cocks, Graeme Souter.
This tramp was cancelled a month ago due to rain. Today with overcast skies, 8 keen trampers set out from Evansdale Glen at 9.40 on the Careys Creek track.

Pam 01 Res 1000 — *Oops- Raewyn didn’t dress Phil this morning – two different boots Phil! Photo and caption Pam.*

Marijke 01 Res 1200 — *Starting out on the Careys Creek Track. Photo and caption Marijke.*

We hadn’t gone far before we came to our first creek crossing. It had rained on Tuesday and the creek was up somewhat (the stepping stones from the recce were now submerged) – there was nothing for it but to walk (on) or through the water.

IMG20230419094927 Phil John on water Res 800 — *John walks on water to keep his new boots dry. Photo and caption Phil K.*

Pam 04 Res 1200 — *There were stepping stones when the recce was done! Photo and caption Pam.*

With wet feet on the other side, we continued up Careys Creek with several more creek crossings. The track passes through a patch of eucalypts and a dark pine forest with native bush in the gullies. (The native bush is now administrated by DOC). The pace slowed as we enjoyed what remained of the seasons last blackberries.

Pam 02 Res 1200 — Starting out on the Careys Creek Track. Photo and caption Marijke.

Marijke 03 Res 1200 — *Some remnants of fog along the tops. Photo and caption Marijke.*

As we neared the Rongomai intersection, loud noises filled the air from machines- the Green Hut Clearing gang were hard at work clearing the tracks. (A big thank you to them for their hard work – very much appreciated.)

IMG20230419145022 Phil Res 1000 — *Supermen – Green Hut group members. Photo and caption Phil K.*

Late morning tea was had at the intersection with Rongomai track.

Marijke 04 Res 1200 — *Morning tea time. Photo and caption Marijke.*

After crossing the creek, again, it was a steep climb up the sharp ridge of the Rongomai and with frequent stops to catch our breath, we had views of pine trees, native bush in the gullies and outcrop’s of schist.

Marijke 06 Res 1000 — *Our leader taking off on the steep uphill Rongomai Track, an inhospitable place. Photo and caption Marijke.*

As we climbed, we went through clusters of juvenile lancewoods and stands of manuka covered in moss with one of the trampers getting tangled up in them.

Marijke 08 1200 — *Pam inspecting the large fuchsia tree trunk, pockmarked with holes that may house bats! Photo and caption Marijke.*

Marijke 10 Res 1000 — *You wouldn’t want to lose your footing with such a steep and deep drop! Photo and caption Marijke.*

As the gradient lessens at the top the track becomes an access road and halfway up we turned left into a former Nature Trail.

Pam 06 Res 1400 — *Magnificent 7. Photo and caption Pam.*

Marijke 07 1000 — *On what’s called the Nature Walk, connecting the Rongomai and Honeycomb Tracks. Photo and caption Marijke.*

This trail took “The Magnificent 7” plus one, up and down steps through the beautiful native bush, ferns, fuchsia trees over small streams for 45 mins before reaching the Honeycomb Ridge where we had lunch and were joined by fantails, bellbirds, tomtits and a whoosh of a Kereru.

Pam 07 Res 1200 — *Lunch on the Honeycomb track before the steep decent. Photo and caption Pam.*

After Graham T did some running repairs on Phil’s old boot…

Pam 08 Res 1200 — *Graham doing running repairs on Phil’s old boot. Photo and caption Pam.*

…we set off down Honeycomb Ridge passing through native bush to a saddle. The track then climbs over a small knoll before a very steep descent of firm clay, rocks, then trees, overgrown ferns hiding the track which some of us joined on the ground.

IMG20230419131648 Phil Res 800 — *Old man’s beard (the good sort). Photo and caption Phil K.*

This end descent was steep and slippery as we came into Careys creek.

IMG20230419141640 Phil Res 1200 — *The delightful Carey’s Creek. Photo and caption Phil K.*

We followed the track down Careys Creek, crossing it several times before staying on the eastern side where it passes the remains of the Seacliff water supply and weir. No history information given here as the leader had changed and a joke instead was told.

Pam 09 Res 1200 — *Old pipes from the Seacliff gravity water supply built in 1912. Replaced in 1959 by a line from Cherry Farm. Photo and caption Pam.*

Once we were back at the Rongomai intersection it was a 45 mins to the cars.

IMG20230419151107 Phil Res 1000 — *An oozing very ripe Stinkhorn Fungi. Photo and caption Phil K.*

With a quick stop on the way to rescue Phils boot sole, which had now parted from his boot, we arrived back at the cars at 3.45pm
A long day but a great day enjoyed. Thank you to Tail-end Charlie- Graeme S.
Pam

Day’s stats: distance 11kms, ascent 300m, moving time 5 hrs, total 6 hrs. (thanks Graeme S and Phil K.)

Graeme S (2) — *Map screenshot Graeme S.*

15. 29/7/2020. Trampers. Evansdale Glen, Rongomai, Honeycomb. Leaders Arthur and Gwenda

The Trampers and Hikers congregated at Peter Johnstone car park, Arthur reminded everyone that hiking bags needed tags and new safety orange short sleeved tops for leader and tail end Charlie, for our groups. The trampers headed off to Evansdale Glen with a smaller group of fifteen (10 ladies 5 men). In overcast conditions we made our way up the dense bushed valley, making numerous water crossings, in reasonably dry conditions with muddy patches.

P1010665res — Photo and Caption Gordon – “One of the many!”

The birds were chirping and the pigs had being digging up the tracks in abundance. The morning tea stop was under a dry area under pine trees. Arthur with his strong knowledge of the area pointed out where we were heading as he described a tennis racket loop.

P1010670res — Photo and Caption Gordon – “Smoko.”

He advised we would be heading up Honeycomb track and there would be a steady climb in somewhat slippery conditions.

P1010673res — Photo and Caption Gordon -“Another one!.

There were a couple of slips but we worked up the climb energetically with normal stops to check all was good at the back.

P1010690res — Photo and Caption Gordon – “A welcome break after the climb.”

The lunch stop was made at 12.40 with a view of the hills where we would meet the nature track as it was called.

P1010685res — Photo and Caption Gordon – “Welcome rest and lunch.”

There were a variety of trees in view and fantails buzzing round and the odd pigeon taking off when disturbed. Gordon on the job taking some good shots of the group. After 20 minutes we put our lunch boxes back in our tramping bag with advice that the next bit was a bit up and down, already said 2 of our ladies we haven’t finished, in chirped Gordon, we all know why that is!! The group erupted with laughter.

received_288456035815845res — Photo and Caption Helen – “The Rongomai junction with a great view.”

We moved on with many finding the terrain slightly gruntie after a lunch break, but none were going to say so, the sound of a stray goat and a grunt from a pig helped break the beauty of the nature.

IMG-20200729-WA0002res — Photo and Caption Pam – ” Arthur sawing a downed branch lying on the track”.

By the time we got to the end of the nature trail Arthur and a small group waited for a few moments, then Arthur went back to check group behind and found Gwenda had strained her calf so needed help from nurse Helen with medication to help strain. Once we had regrouped at the junction we headed down Rongomai Trail, noticing a fantail had joined in with the group, chattering more than the group, taking in last bit of tramp and enjoying the calm.

P1010692res — Photo and Caption Gordon – “Down Rongomai track.”

Thanks Gwenda and Arthur for an enjoyable 12.2km jaunt in the Glen.

We arrived 2 minutes late (3.32) at Blueskin Nursery, with chairs on table, so NO afternoon tea, the cars returned to Peter Johnstone Park.
Written by Helen and Phil

14. 23/10/2019. Hikers. Evansdale Glen. Leaders: Betty and Jim.

After completion of the morning tea circuit of the 21 people present 18 completed approximately a further 7km hike to the 3rd crossing of Careys Creek which was flowing at doubly normal flow.

Photo and Caption John – “Hikers and Ramblers meet for morning tea”

Photo and Caption Bob – “Crossing the Creek”

Photo and Caption John – “More morning tea!”

Cool temperatures were conducive to a pleasant hike in spite of the of the water logged surface of the track. The threatening rain did not eventuate and a refreshment stop was made at the Blue Skin Cafe on the return to Mosgiel @ 3 o’clock.

Leaders were Betty & Jim Finnie

13. 11/4/2018. Trampers. Evansdale Glen –Rongomai/Honeycomb. M. Leader: Dave.

How could 5 trampers’ turn down coffee out with Margreet and Neil and Jill’s fresh hot muffins on a cold wet morning?

Well they did! It was off to Evansdale Glen with a little snow on the side of the motorway on the way. The weather cleared a bit as we started. The creek was up after the rain so it was wet socks and boots as we made our first crossing of Careys creek.

Just out of the car and into it…brrrrr. (Phil pic and caption.)

The discussion then started on having waterproofing on the inside of boots? We were sheltered in the gorge of the creek. The bird song was very pleasant – bellbirds, tuis, fantails and the odd wood pigeon.

Trying to get heat to the feet! (Phil pic and caption.)

At the Honey comb/ Rongomai intersection we decided to take the Rongomai track just to guage how slippery it might be. The track was a little steep to start with. As we followed the well-defined track we walked through very attractive areas of quite big Kanuka with smaller plants of Lancewood, Mapau, Broad leaf and the odd small Totara.

Because of the wetness of the track, we took the connecting track to the honey comb track. This was pleasant with the many ferns green and lush. We then followed up to the top of the honeycomb track to meet Semple road.

Standing on the ‘snowline’. (Phil pic and caption.)

Skyline from the top of the Honeycomb Track. (Phil pic and caption.)

Lunch was had in the shelter of trees and a disused gravel pit at the top.

We then followed back down the Rongomai to Careys creek again – illusion the creek seemed to be higher! The leader who shall be nameless slipped on the slippery rocks and got wet! Phil to the rescue. Thanks Phil.

The discussion continued on the design of new boots, with a special one way valve and pump to eject the water from within them . Arthur gave us a demonstration. He is now applying for a special patent for boots with these features.

Afternoon tea started with a taste of blackberries on the side of the track, followed by coffee at Blueskin Bay Nurseries and Café. – Dave

12. 17/8/2016. Trampers. Evansdale Glen, Honeycomb, Rongomai. M. Leader: A Heenan.

Seven Trampers were delighted to discover that some thoughtful person had placed stepping stones to allow us to cross Careys Creek with dry feet, at the beginning of our day’s tramp. The second crossing also had the stones.

It was cold walking up the Careys Creek track in the shade, and with evidence that the frost had not thawed for some days in parts.

We stopped at the first sunny spot that was encountered to have our morning tea. It was only a very tiny spot, just adequate but welcome for our purpose.

Continuing on up this very good track, we eventually came to the junction.

A year ago our group did the circuit in a clockwise direction, so to be different (I like being different), we went up the Rongomai Track.

This is always a good dry track, if an energetic climb at the lower end.

Turning left we followed “the old nature trail”, the cross track to Honeycomb. This track generally follows the contour, but goes up and down continually, with a number of well placed steps in places. In one place, a large fallen tree proved a little awkward to climb through carefully. Considerable bird song was noted here – Bellbirds and Tuis, etc, and several pigeons were seen. A little Tomtit had kept just in front of us for a short distance, as close as two metres to me.

Coming to the Honeycomb track, we turned left again and following it for a short distance, found our lunch spot bathed in sunshine.

The Honeycomb Track was drier than expected and we made good progress going down, only the last 200 metres or so needing extra care – steeper and wetter here.

Following Careys Creek now, the track was quite wet in places and the air noticeably much colder in the gully.

There are five river crossings along here on the way back to the Rongomai junction.

Care had to be exercised at the crossings as the rocks were just a little slippy. …

… One member narrowly avoided disaster.

Around a further hour’s tramp returned the group to the cars, having covered 12.4 km.

Some members of the group wanted to stop at “Blueskin Nurseries” on the way home. In my simplicity(?) I presumed that the lovely spring-like afternoons of the previous days had brought out the ‘gardening desire’ in some. But the plants and flowers were ignored, the group heading indoors. I tagged along to see what the score was.

I soon found that the score was:- 3 coffees, 2 hot chocolates, 1 tea and 1 juice! Discussion followed, and as noted on previous occasions, has a tendency to include food. Today such culinary delights as lamb shanks, pork bellies, pumpkins, sweet breads and tripe were avidly mentioned.

Personally I avoid tripe myself, although some may suspect that what I write here is a load of tripe(?).

Eventually seven happy Trampers returned to Mosgiel after enjoying a day’s exercise in the sunshine and fresh air. We couldn’t have had a better day out. – Arthur.

11. 12/8/2015. Trampers. Evansdale Glen, Honeycomb, Rongomai.

GPS of route, courtesy Ken. Evansdale Glen Honeycomb joining track Rongomai (Ken pic and caption). Walked 12.4km; 4km/h; 3hr 20m moving; climbed 253m; max height 340m.

Today’s tramp was to Evansdale Glen, then up Honeycomb, & back down Rongomai tracks.Now normally this is not a problem, BUT there was still a lot of snow on Flagstaff, & around my place on the hill, so I was sceptical about our chances of getting up Honeycomb very far. However, after a bit of a conference among the 7 trampers at the carpark, we decided to go & see what was in store for us. As we got over to the other side of the Northern Motorway, it was a different world, no snow, & everything looked really normal.
The walk along to Honeycomb was accomplished with only one member getting wet feet, from the many creek crossings. The track was quite wet & muddy in places, & Honeycomb looked a bit slippery as well. However, we all made it up the steep climb without to much drama, but a few rest periods, & arrived at the junction of the joining track that goes across to Rongomai, where we had another short rest. We then headed off along here to hopefully find a sunny lunch spot on the road at the top end of Rongomai, before the track proper starts into the bush. So we stopped for lunch…

…in a quite sheltered spot just before entering the bush, but if we had gone a little further, we would’ve found an even better spot!!
After lunch we made our way down to the creek at the bottom of the ridge, & back out to the cars. The day was enjoyed by all, especially the ones who had not been in there before.
An incident free day, with good weather conditions, life is good !! – Ken

10. 16/10/2013. Trampers. Evansdale, Careys Creek, Honeycomb, Mountain Road, Rongomai. Medium.

GPS of route, courtesy Ken. Honeycomb and Rongomai from Evansdale. Distance: 11.8km; time: 3hr 3mins; ave: 3.9 km/hr; climbed: 507mtrs; max elevation: 378mtrs.

We parked at Evansdale Glen, walked up the Careys Creek track to the bottom of Honeycomb track, stopping off on the way to have morning tea at one of the drier spots we found. The grass on the track looked like it had been covered with a frost, & the whole track was quite wet, but not as wet as one team member got after slipping on some rocks while crossing one of the numerous creek crossings. Honeycomb is quite steep, as one member found, when the plant he was clutching pulled out of the ground, & he was sent tumbling downhill for a couple of meters, before a handy tree arrested his fall. So there were numerous halts to regroup & get our breathing under control. It does get less steep for the last 1/4 – 1/3 of the climb, & some good views are obtained. We had lunch at the top of Honeycomb …

… then walked the couple of hundred mtrs. along to the top of Rongamai track, which is now just a forestry rd. This goes down past the shortcut track which goes back across to Honeycomb, & continues for some distance beyond there. It eventually reverts into the original Rongomai track, which follows a ridge, & then as it gets to the toe of the ridge, it steepens greatly, until the valley floor is reached. From here, it is just a reverse walk along the Careys Creek track back to Evansdale Glen.
A good day, with basically no wind, even at Mountain Rd. end, & all 4 of us said it was a good walk, which had never been done by 3 of the party.

9. 18/3/2009. Trampers. Evansdale, Careys Creek, Honeycomb, Mountain Road, Rongomai. Medium. Leaders: Sabina, Ian

It was half a tramp, half a blackberry-plucking expedition as Hazel discretely filled a bag for next weekend’s blackberry crumble. Careys creek showed signs of a flood in recent past weeks but its level was down to a tolerable crossing and re-crossing shallowness. A notable hurdle was Bill’s aptly-dubbed “Beaver Dam” at the second crossing which we made by precariously struggling over small and large fallen branches.

The first pic shows Rongomai Ridge ahead of us.

click to enlarge

Rongomai Ridge from Careys Creek — Rongomai Ridge showing ahead

A little while later we reached the junction heralding the beginning of the loop we had decided upon doing clockwise.

The next pic shows the beginning of the steep climb out of Careys Creek up the beginning of the Honeycomb track, a climb during which at least two of the seven strong group vowed that this was their last tramp here.

Start of Honeycomb steep climb from Careys Creek at Double Hill route sign. Bill's gaiters. — Start of Honeycomb steep climb from Careys Creek at Double Hill route sign. Bill – well, his boots and gaiters.

We made it across the ridge at the top of the climb and then on further up to the Mountain Road exit. A short walk up the road and it was into and down the Rongomai with a large expanse of clear-felled forest to the left.

Back down to Careys Creek and the blackberry plucking continued with George assisting Hazel, with his long picking-pauses on the trip back filling a hefty bag of berries.

The high-light/low-light of the tramp towards its end was Hazel wrenching an ankle, which proved to be a broken fibula at the ankle on inspection the following day, leading to six weeks in plaster. However she bravely continued to limp along with the benefit of two trekking poles, even to the extent of four of us tackling an exploratory Beaver Dam by-pass track on the creek’s true right, a rather hair-raising steep up and down track in places, never to be repeated again.

Best wishes for a p-a-t-i-e-n-t recovery, Hazel. You have joined the recovering-ranks of Tash (ankle broken in three places), and Ken (two broken wrists). Best wishes to you all. Although only you Hazel can claim to have suffered your mishap on a tramp. How you made it back to the cars the rest of us will never understand. – Ian

8. 25/10/2006 Leaders: Peter B, Nelson

7. 16/11/2005. Trampers. Honeycomb, Rongomai. Medium. Bob H, Ian.

[There have also been six earlier circuits of Honeycome-Rongomai tracks made from Mountain Road but I have managed to lose any record of them!]

One thought on “Evansdale, Careys Creek, Honeycomb, Rongomai”

katharine pyper says:

December 5, 2018 at 3:26 pm

Took the Evansdale Glen Track to Rongomai Track. Great Track. Spectacular views. Got to the Intersection where a sign said Rongomai Track but nothing to say which way to go to Honeycomb Track. Needs to be another sign there with Honeycomb Track on it. [Honeycomb Track sign both further up the stream, and up the Rongomai. It links the two! – Ed.] Lovely track through the bush but then when you get to the intersection the sign is not very clear and is hard to read so the sign needs to be clearer to read Honeycomb Track.
When you get down to the bottom where the sign says Double Hill and the track bares right up Double Hill there needs to be a sign saying Evansdale Glen Track left. We had a GPS with us so we didn’t have a problem but it could be a bit difficult for people that don’t have a GPS. Otherwise fabulous bush walk.

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