05/08/2026. Memorial Park to Confluence of the Silverstream and Taieri River. Grade 2. Combined. Leaders: Barbara Shackell and Sandy Lawn.
Following the Antarctic-like weather that hit Otago overnight on Monday 3 August, an early call was made to postpone the trip to Puketapu, with an intent to substitute with a walk down the Silverstream to its confluence with the Taieri River.
Initially, 15 folk set out from the carpark, increasing to 17 when Phil (who Bill was pleased to have help ‘balance the numbers’!), then Helen joined us. Very few of us had previously been to the confluence – and we owe a debt of thanks to Phil K for his suggestion. Morning tea was enjoyed in the sunshine on the south side of the Riccarton Road bridge before continuing south, across Gladfield and Riverside roads.
Lunch was early and we settled on the floodbank looking out to the still snow-kissed Maungatua’s and commenting on the changing eddies in the river as the flow contended with the sharp turn in the Taieri and the flow entering it from the Silverstream. With lunch finished just after noon, a call was made to Wal’s Topiary Café alerting them to our arrival about 1pm.
However, the 7 km trek south and the sit in the sun saw a desire to walk at a slower speed, and a second call to the café was required, extending our ETA to 2 o’clock! On the way back, Jill suggested crossing the footbridge at Gladfield Rd to continue up the bank on the western side. At Riccarton Rd, with walking speed still slowing, we crossed back to the east side and turned off at the treatment station at Carlyle Road – some returning to the cars and driving back to Wal’s; some walking home to change footwear; some slowly hobbling on to Wal’s, where the staff provided their usual personable service.
According to my phone’s “Map My Walk” we covered 13.73 km in 3.45 hours moving time. Thanks to all for sharing companionable conversation on what turned out to be quite a warm day, and best wishes to Puketapu Leader, Bruce, for a speedy recovery.
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area – see also tramps and hikes Rain Days