14/055/2025. Racemans. Grade 3. Hikers. Leaders: Wendy Langley, Eleanore Ryan.
Another great autumn day for our hike up and back Racemans track. (Google Silverstream walks for history and tracks in the area).24 of us arrived at the Pumphouse car park and set off walking at 9:15am.
The track was mainly good, apart from muddy patches and slippery spots getting down to cross a couple of the creeks.
We arrived at the Top Weir at 12:30pm to sunshine and super views of the weir and surrounding bush. Rain Gauge Spur track climbs steeply from the weir to Swampy Summit road.
We hiked back down a short distance and found a dry sunny spot for lunch.
On the way back down I paused at the entrance to Steve Amies track. (Who was the founder of the Track Clearing Group in the late 1980s to reopen and develop the Silverstream Stream Water Race Tracks). To remember my friend Bryan Freeman from Milton who was leading a tramp and died half way up Steve Amies track of a Heart Attack. A Memorial seat in Memory of Bryan marks the spot.
Today, while we were chattering, it was nice to hear lots of Piwakawaka chattering back to us. Racemans is a favourite of mine, so close to home, with lovely forest and super tall trees reaching to find light.
The Pipeline Workers must have put in many cold days working in the shade and frost.
We arrived back at the Pumphouse park at 3:30pm, all very satisfied with having hiked 13km. Of the 24 out today, it was a first time hike up Racemans for 14 members with our Club.
No time for coffee today, instead just go home and wash our boots. Our Leader Wendy Langley set a comfortable walking pace both ways, and I was happy following along behind.
Good company, good weather made a good outing.
Eleanore Ryan. Wendy Langley.
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.