09/04/2025. Trotters Gorge. Grade 3. Trampers. Leaders: Neil Hodgkin and Sarah McCormack.
Two cars from Mosgiel and another one from Dunedin arrived at Trotter’s Gorge Scenic Reserve on a clear windless day.
13 trampers in all set off in the direction of the caves on a well-formed track.
After stopping there for photos, we started to climb and some parts were a bit slippery following the recent rain but everyone managed and we were soon stopping for morning tea about halfway to the top. There was another short stop there for people to gain a vantage point to look towards Katiki Beach and further up the coast.
The walk down was much dryer being on the sunnier side of the hill and we were soon back at the cars for lunch.
After lunch we headed up the Trotter’s Gorge creek to the huts that are owned by the Otago University.
This was only a small walk but fun because there were 6 creek crossings on the way up and, believe it or not, there were 6 on the way back.
The creeks were certainly higher than when Sarah McCormack and I did the recce, but it’s amazing how differently each one of us attempted the crossing while trying to keep our feet as dry as possible. Martin thought by running through with long strides he would spend less time in the water, while others looked like ballerinas stepping on the larger stones, all of which were mostly underwater. Never mind we all made it across safely and our boots were clean by the time we got back to the cars.
The total distance covered was only about 6kms but everyone enjoyed the walk, the birds (mainly fantails), the creek crossings and of course the companionship.
We headed to Waitati and had a refreshment stop at Blueskin Nurseries as the one on the other side of the road was shut for improvements and we teamed up with the hikers who were also there.
Neil
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.