Information Rock and Pillar via Six Mile Creek This climbs 1,005 m. (3300 feet) up the eastern face from Glencreag Station up a leading ridge south of Six Mile Creek. This is the most direct approach. Rock and Pillar via spur south of Lug Creek. Information: Climbs 910 m. (3000 feet) up the eastern face of a well-graded vehicle track up a leading spur south of Lug Creek. Average time to Leaning Lodge is 3 hours on foot. DoC access. 9.5km north of the Middlemarch store on SH87, just before Lug Creek, is a farm entrance (RAPID 7219 – no DoC sign). A short way up the driveway is a DoC car park. There is public access up the vehicle track to the conservation area boundary. The track is now a recreation reserve administered by DoC.
Easiest route to Big Hut from Leaning Lodge (foot only – unmarked – good visibility essential) is another 45+ minutes climbing gently southwards to cross a steep gully and then climb a gentle shelf to above the eastern basins. Sidle several hundred metres past the lower prominent rock tors before gently descending to Big Hut once it becomes visible. Route very wind and cloud-prone. Ice axe and crampons may be necessary to traverse steep snow slopes near Leaning Lodge.
64 km to Middlemarch. 66 km to Stonehurst Track.
Redan Crater- contact for access Ken Rennick.
13. 06/12/2023. Hikers. Sutton Salt Lake – Glencreag Track. Grade 2.5. $16. 60km. Leaders: Wendy Langley/Katrina McKenzie
1. 7/4/2021. Takitakitoa Wetland/Lester Harveys 90th Birthday. All. Leaders. Raewyn, Phil and Jill D
Wow, what a magical place, right on our back door, we can come here anytime, a great place to bring the grand kids……. Just some of the comments from 45 folk as we surveyed the wetland from the look out after the initial 20 minutes of walking, and listened to Steve Dixon from Otago Fish and Game wax lyrical about his office and spot for building his house, and who would disagree with him?
“We all looked at the amazing view of the wetland.” – Photo and Caption Clive
Steve clearly had done a Health and Safety assessment, having first created additional steps and boardwalk to aid access to the lookout track. He outlined the land history of the area, including land swaps, to provide an effective area for the wetland, as well as the process of creating the lake through the formation of the bund, and how flows and water levels are managed.
The area was quickly adopted by a range of water fowl and aquatic life and the mai-mai’s are available and open to junior and novice game bird hunters, principally on the opening day of the game bird season.
“Steve from Fish and Game.” – Photo and Caption Clive
Following morning tea we backtracked from the lookout and carried on, past extensive and fast growing native plantings to skirt the wetland and finally to arrive on the bund, that effectively controls water depth in the wetland at around 800mm.
“Walking around the wetland.” – Photo and Caption
We strolled and shambled across the bund, where Steve outlined the fish pass process, including the inanga (whitebait) breeding habitat.
“Looking back to lookout.” – Photo and Caption Gordon
In addition to brown teal, mallard, ‘parries’, black swan, and one or two white faced heron were also observed. Some perch maybe establishing themselves in the wetland as well. The fishermen turned their eyes to the pools….In thanking Fish and Game for their hospitality it was commented that it was great to see a vision achieved so quickly, and with the right environment and support to see how nature can quickly be re established. Thanks also to the NZ Game Bird Habitat Trust for funding .
“The water comes and goes through here! – Photo and Caption John
Folk stretched out for the return walk to the cars, with Steve providing some assistance for hitch-hikers over the last few hundred metres. Thanks again Steve.
From the Wetland car park there was a steady procession of cars headed for Momona Hall to enjoy a convivial lunch with guest of honour Lester. The chairperson of the Hall committee provided an interesting over view of the history of the Hall, and outlined in some detail the restoration efforts, principally the magnificent murals and overall presentation of the Hall. Yes a great secret that should be more widely understood and appreciated.
“We are told the history of the hall and murals.” – Photo and Caption PamLester’s 90th birthday function.” – Photo and Caption Pam
Arthur outlined to the group Lester’s work and community contribution, including to the Club and presented a card to Lester, which was followed by a fairly rousing version of Happy Birthday Lester. In his response and subsequently the cutting of his chocolate and fruit cake, the latter so expertly baked by himself, Lester managed to squeeze in quite a bit of comment, acknowledging also Mrs Harvey’s 93rd birthday as well as their 65 years of marriage. Well done!
“I made my own 90th birthday cake.” – Photo and Caption Clive
In true tramping fashion justice was done to the lovely food, to which everyone had so ably contributed.
Many thanks to all involved in making the day first and foremost such a wonderful social occasion.
1. 7/4/2021. All. Takitakitoa Wetland. Leaders. Raewyn, Phil and Jill D
Wow, what a magical place, right on our back door, we can come here anytime, a great place to bring the grand kids…….Just some of the comments from 45 folk as we surveyed the wetland from the look out after the initial 20 minutes of walking, and listened to Steve Dixon from Otago Fish and Game wax lyrical about his office and spot fng his house, and who would disagree with him.
“The popular view” – Photo and Caption John.“Steve from Fish and Game talking.” – Photo and Caption John
Steve clearly had done a Health and Safety assessment, having first created additional steps and boardwalk to aid access to the lookout track. He outlined the land history of the area, including land swaps, to provide an effective area for the wetland, as well as the process of creating the lake through the formation of the bund, and how flows and water levels are managed.
The area was quickly adopted by a range of water fowl and aquatic life and the mai-mai’s are available and open to junior and novice game bird hunters, principally on the opening day of the game bird season.
Photo and Caption John
Following morning tea we backtracked from the lookout and carried on, past extensive and fast growing native plantings to skirt the wetland and finally to arrive on the bund, that effectively controls water depth in the wetland at around 800mm. We strolled and shambled across the bund, where Steve outlined the fish pass process, including the inanga (whitebait) breeding habitat.
“The water and whitebait come and go from here!” – Photo and Caption John..
In addition to brown teal, mallard, ‘parries’, black swan, and one or two white faced heron were also observed. Some perch maybe establishing themselves in the wetland as well. The fishermen turned their eyes to the pools….
In thanking Fish and Game for their hospitality it was commented that it was great to see a vision achieved so quickly, and with the right environment and support to see how nature can quickly be re established. Thanks also to the NZ Game Bird Habitat Trust for funding .
Folk stretched out for the return walk to the cars, with Steve providing some assistance for hitch-hikers over the last few hundred metres. Thanks again Steve.
From the Wetland car park there was a steady procession of cars headed for Momona Hall to enjoy a convivial lunch with guest of honour Lester. The chairperson of the Hall committee provided an interesting over view of the history of the Hall, and outlined in some detail the restoration efforts, principally the magnificent murals and overall presentation of the Hall. Yes a great secret that should be more widely understood and appreciated.
“Learning of the History and murals of the hall.” – Photo and Caption Pam
Arthur outlined to the group Lester’s work and community contribution, including to the Club and presented a card to Lester, which was followed by a fairly rousing version of Happy Birthday Lester. In his response and subsequently the cutting of his chocolate and fruit cake, the latter so expertly baked by himself, Lester managed to squeeze in quite a bit of comment, acknowledging also Mrs Harvey’s 93rd birthday as well as their 65 years of marriage. Well done!
“I made this 90th birthday cake.” – Photo and Caption Clive
In true tramping fashion justice was done to the lovely food, to which everyone had so ably contributed.
“Lester’s 90th birthday function.” – Photo and Caption Pam
Many thanks to all involved in making the day first and foremost such a wonderful social occasion.
2. 7 Mar 2918. Both. Clarksbrae, Clarks Junction. Leaders: Jay and Jan.
Route Map, courtesy Ian. Station House to Deep Stream.
On Wednesday 7th March 40 trampers and hikers completed a walk on “Clarksbrae” farm, Clarks Junction. After a 30 minute car ride we arrived on a lovely summer’s day at “Clarksbrae” Farm and parked close to the woolshed. I must say the tidiest and cleanest woolshed I have ever seen.
From there we had to take 6 cars to the end of the walk to shuttle people on completion of the walk.
It was 10.30 when we started
Some cars were hidden in a valley about 10k from Clarksbrae and we set out to find them. We set out across well tended farmland … (Clive pic and caption.)
and the walk was on a designated stock laneway. It was a steady but gentle climb through beautiful farmland
… and live stock. (Clive pic and caption.)
and wonderful views of the Maungatua, The Lammermoor Range, the Rock and Pillar Range through to Middlemarch. At the end of the laneway we turned left and walked up to the trig station where we had our lunch at 12.30.
With a late start we missed morning tea but made the most of lunch at the trig point. (Clive pic and caption.)
After lunch we followed a track that in places was marked out with painted arrows and warratahs with plastic bags on put in place by the farmer so as we knew which direction to take to get back to the cars. This part of the walk was generally down hill.
Downhill to search for the cars. (Clive pic and caption.)Hurray, we found them. (Clive pic and caption.)
Many of our walkers filled plastic bags with beautiful fresh mushrooms.
The distance travelled was 11.5ks. Coffee was at the ” Wobbly Goat” in Outram. – Jay and Jan B
30 August, 2017. Hikers. Clarksbrae, Clarks Junction. Leaders: Jay and Jan.
Tramp Report from the hikers group. Our walk today comprising of 21 enthusiastic folk started at “Clarksbrae” Farm, Clarks Junction. Farm owner, Richard Nichol gave permission to us to walk along the stock lane way which was very comfortable under foot. The walk was a gentle climb with three steep short gullies to get the heart rate up a bit. Very doable for all concerned. The scenery encompassed The Maungatua, the Lammermoors, the Rock and Pillar Range and the Kakanui Range. We had lunch at the trig station which gave us 360 degrees views. The walk back was all down hill. All up we walked 10.3ks. – Jay and Jan.
11. 17/01/2024. Hikers. Warrington. Leaders Jenny Finnerty and Jay Devlin
13. 06/12/2023. Hikers. Sutton Salt Lake – Glencreag Track. Grade 2.5. $16. 60km. Leaders: Wendy Langley/Katrina McKenzie
