21/08/2024. Big Easy. Grade 2.5. Hikers. Leaders: Pam Clough, Jay Devlin.
Wed 21st August saw 17 eager hikers meet at the carpark behind Logan Park High to follow the Big Easy mountain bike / walking up only trail to the monument 327 m above sl.
It was a beautiful sunny day and not too cold. We meandered up the gradual winding track which is well maintained.
The gorse covers the hillside quite densely but does create a beautiful colour on the landscape! There is plenty of vegetation growing as well in the area including Manuka and other small natives and tall pine trees. However, there are lots of viewing spots along the way to get great vistas of Dunedin city, the harbour, the peninsula and coastlines south. At the
monument at the top is an almost 270-degree panorama including over to the Flagstaff area. This was our idyllic lunch stop and we saw Dunedin like a picture postcard.
There were several bikers sharing the trail with us – young and older!
Our return down to the cars was on Signal Hill Road to Blacks Road where we traversed a steepish 20-minute track through native bush back down onto the big easy trail again and to the cars.
Approx 11 kms.
Our refreshment stop was at Emerson’s sitting outside in the sun. A lovely day shared in the hills with likeminded people .
Thank you Pam and Jay for organising the day and Pam leading the trip. Jill
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area. [change link to appropriate information and trips library post]