12/02/2025. Mt Cargill / Forrester Park Grade 3. Hikers. Leaders: Bill Cubitt and Peter Beal.
The best laid plans of mice and men! We discovered late in the piece that most of the Mt Cargill track was closed for maintenance.
The 31 Hikers and Trampers gathered at Bethunes Gully weren’t too phased by the need for a change of route and we set off on a slightly overcast morning to ascend the section of the Mt Cargill track that was still accessible.
We stopped for morning tea under a canopy of native trees and amidst some stunning ferns – the growth in the bush this season has been remarkable.
Following our break we were only able to climb the track for another twenty minutes or so before we reached the “Track closed” signage.
Following consultation with John, Phil and Dave we retraced our steps and proceeded to the mountain bike trails that wind through the Pine forests bordering the Forrester Park area.
These tracks proved very interesting with some very impressive tall and straight Pines, a wonderful variety of Fungi and some amazing mountain biking jumps and configurations along the way.
John Gardiner in particular has a very good working knowledge of the area and navigated us through the labyrinth of tracks and trails to Forrester Park
– our lunch spot in the park presented us with a great view across the top of the BMX course to a very pleasant rural landscape on the opposite side of the valley.
Following lunch we completed the 9 kilometre hike with another brief forest walk and a ramble around the very manicured sports grounds at Forrester Park and the Otago Canine Training facilities.
After returning to the cars at Bethunes Gully we adjourned to the eclectic Blacks Road Grocery Cafe to contemplate what ended up being a varied and interesting hike around some of Dunedin’s lovely natural environments and sporting amenities.
The day was a wonderful example of teamwork and both Peter and I appreciated the willingness of the more experienced club members to share their knowledge and experience and enable us all to have another great day out. Thank you!
Cheers
Bill
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.