14/05/2025. Pulpit Rock. Grade 4. Trampers. Leaders: Graham Thurlow, Lyn Keene.
On a beautifully sunny and calm day 15 trampers tackle a well-known, and thanks to the Green Hut Group, well maintained track. We are all heading for Pulpit Rock aiming to be there by lunchtime.
Some names of the roads and tracks today can be confusing. To start with, we drove up Semple Road and parked on Steep Hill Road! But that started with Double Hill Road! However, this track we are tramping to get to Pulpit Rock is known to some as Silver Peaks track, Possum Hut Route, Green Hill track and probably some other names!
Pausing for morning tea with a view to the north through the forest and morning sun shining on us, we view the silhouettes of the hills and mountains. Even Mount Watkin which would have been our goal for this day…. no! no! I hear a distinct lack of enthusiasm for that destination!
Stopping briefly at the old green hut site to catch our breath before ascending Greenhill then up we went with views to the southwest to Mosgiel and the Maungatuas, and on further to the intersection of Rosella Ridge track.
After climbing up further toward pulpit rock you get a wonderful north-east view of the whole length of Rosella Ridge.
It’s time to sit down on the track on the east side of pulpit rock for lunch in the sun, with explanations of, “What an enjoyable day, What an awesome view”. “The climb up to Pulpit Rock is so much easier…. than climbing up Mount Watkin.”
Carefully walking back to the cars we paused at the old green hut site, resting briefly on the wonderful long timber seats. After an 11km tramp we were back at the cars and ready for a well-earned coffee at Blueskin Gallery Cafe.
Graham and Lyn
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.