Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

No. 10 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Lamb Hill to 3 o’clock creek. Farm. Lambing.”

Farm walk. Lamb Hill Station, Hindon Road, Hindon. Seek permission. Check at house before you do any tramping.

Lamb Hill: 43 km from car-park.

Bendoran: 75 km from car-park.

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8. 29/11/2017. Trampers. Bendoran over-night, Orbells Cave. H. Leader: Art.

This tramp was a First Time for our club.

Two cars(six trampers) left Mosgiel at 8.00 a.m. rendezvousing at Cherry Farm before travelling together to reach the Bendoran Huts at 9.30. Morning tea was taken, and five eager trampers set out just after 10 am on the day’s adventure. One stayed in camp to heat water for showers later.

The day was sunny and warm enough. High cloud drifted across after an hour, but it remained hot. We stopped several times to take on water – and we were going downhill!

We descended down to Orbells Creek, and followed it for some distance, being on a grassy 4WD track all day. Tussocky hills surrounded us, with many interesting rocks, such beautiful country.

A mob of grand Hereford cows with calves (beef) moved in front of us for a time, before going up a side gully.

Eventually we came to the first ascent of the day, leaving Orbells Creek for a time, the 4WD track going up and over a saddle. At the top we had a short descent and then a climb up to a second saddle.

But from here it was downhill all the way to the cave. We met Barney, the Bendoran Farm Manager, out with his dogs shifting a mob of cows and calves – black with white faces this time (Angus Hereford Cross).

We came back to Orbells Creek by the cattleyards, crossed over, and in a few minutes were at Orbells Cave (with Orbells Garden flourishing in profusion in front (foxgloves). It had been hot work, but to our great relief found that it was very pleasantly cool in the cave. The time was 12.20 pm. We sat and rested for half an hour here, while eating our lunch.

 Fiddlers Hut was our next objective, about 2 km further on. Was we left, bird calls from high above the cave alerted us to the presence of a N.Z. falcon circling there. We saw it – or another one –  later in the day, too. Crossing 3 O’Clock Stream, we arrived at Fiddlers Hut at 1.3. We admired the stone walls, very neatly constructed, and with a vey sound modern corrugated iron roof.

But sadly the interior had been badly neglected, birds obviously had been the only tenants for some years past.

As we began the homeward journey, a light and very pleasantly cool north-east breeze arrived to provide some relief, especially helpful on the uphill bits. Five tiny little Paradise duckings were on the water when we crossed back over 3 O’Clock Stream. All water bottles were refilled.

The same route was followed going back as we had travelled out earlier. It was a long climb back up to the two saddles. At the top of the first one, 10 minutes was well spent in resting, while taking on water, eating fruit, etc.

In time we came back down to Orbells Creek, and walked, the kilometres behind us, with an occasional brief stop (water).

One long hill awaited us – the climb out from Orbells Creek. The hill seemed to go on forever, but by putting one foot in front of the other, we found the top. But our legs were mighty tired now, and there was only a few hundred metres left to go. And so we arrived back at the Bendoran Hilton …

… just before 5 p.m. A good list down and rest seemed to be the logical thing to do now, so that’s what we did!

All five had thoroughly enjoyed the day. An energetic tramp to equal any other that our club has done. VERY SATISFYING.

Total distance was 20 km. Orbells Cave was approx. 8 km from Bendoran, and Fiddlers Hut a further 2 km beyond. Bendoral Huts are at an altitude of 500 metres, Fiddlers Hut about 200 metres. – Art.

On completing the tramp we had a lovely muffin and cup of tea before showers and liquid refreshments. Fire lovingly looked after by camp mum Jennifer. Eleanor our great organiser had Also arrived by this time.

Tea was prepared consisting of silverside, stuffed chicken, new potatoes, carrots and two salads. Dessert: chocolate brownie berries and yogert. All had bought some part of it.

Jill Arthur Phil Wyn and Helen the walkers.

It helped revive us. – Helen

6. 19/1/2011. Trampers. Lamb Hill to three o’clock creek. Old Stone Hut. Orbells Cave. Medium+.

If you look closly at the small scale pic, you can see the shed at the Nth. end of the airstrip, right at the bottom of the pic where the track starts. As you can see from the spacing of the GPS squares, we were still driving for a while till the squares become very close together. this is where we started to walk from. You can also see the track going off to the left of the airstrip at it’s south end, going down to the ford where the track peters out, & then starts again on the other side. That is where the 2003 tramp went (see below).

The large scale pic shows the decent via the wrong ridge, we should’ve been one over to the right. Anyway, we ended up just a short distance from Orbells creek, so walked into that valley, & up to Orbells caves which is the track on the RH side of the pic.

We then retraced our steps back to Three O’clock Stream, and went downstream to a crossing, where Dermot and I went to the old hut to have lunch (which is the track on the left side of the stream in the GPS pic).

Then after walking across the river flats, we struggled up the very steep hills back to the cars.

The weather was fine, but VERY windy, and I nearly lost my footing a couple of times coming back up the steepest parts. BTW, the hut is not on Lambhill Station, it’s on the neighbours property.

Everybody did very well, including George, who didn’t go to the caves, along with Hazel. They just went over to the hut to have lunch there.

George got a dose of cramp on the way back up the hills, but managed to overcome it ok, and carry on. – Ken.

5. 21/5/2006 Lamb Hill to three o’clock creek. Old Stone Hut. Orbells Cave. Medium+.Leaders: George, Keith, Glenice, Hazel

4. 21/5/2003. Both. Lamb Hill to Three O.clock Creek. Medium. Leaders: Wendy B, Bob H, Nancy & Molly

3. 17/5/2000 Lamb Hill, Three O’Clock Creek. Leaders: Wendy, Colleen, George

2. 15/4/1998. 3 O’Clock Creek, Lamb Hill. Leaders: Nancy, Wendy B

1. 8/11/1989 Lamb Hill to Three O’Clock Creek and old stone hut. Harder grade. George, Mary M, Molly, Catherine

No. 4 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Blacksmiths Flat. Hindon Stn. Bob Heenan. Farm. Lambing.”

Distance from carpark: 33 km.

13. 31/5/2017. Trampers. Ardachys – Blacksmith Flat. M. Leader: Arthur.

The weather wasn’t great, but good enough. 8 trampers out today, including one new member – welcome Phil. We travelled in low cloud all the way from Outram to our parking spot at Ardachy, but from there on we could clearly see down into the Taieri gorge. An improvement was expected though.

We first went to inspect the nearby “Lonely Grave” of Mr Don Graham.

The Graham family have been on Ardachy for 120 years – check our club website for more details about the “Lonely Grave”. [Scroll further down this post for this. – Ed.]

A short stop was made in the tussock for morning tea, before continuing on down hill. 4 friendly horses greeted us when we reached “Blacksmith Flat”, beside the Taieri river.

We followed the “Flat” upstream for some distance, before turning and retracing our steps.

Mount Allan railway station was directly across the river from us, but no train today. It was a lovely and peaceful spot there, the river making the only noise, except for 6-8 fantails flitting around.

The return journey was up “Blacksmith Gully”, and we travelled some distance before stopping for lunch.

The cloud had come down now, with no more than a couple of hundred metres visibility, and remained so until we returned to Outram.

Incidentally, the names “Blacksmith Flat” and “Blacksmith Gully” go back to the gold mining era around 1863. Gold was found in some quantity in the area, but after 2 0r 3 years the “rush” was over.

The leader decided that, as it was a relatively short tramp today, we would return by a slightly more strenuous route than had been planned originally, to give everyone a bit of a workout. All thought this a great idea, and enjoyed the extra bit. There were no complaints anyway!

We arrived back at the cars before 1.30 pm, having walked 8.8 km. The vertical difference in altitude between the river and the cars was approx. 250 metres.

On returning to Mosgiel we stopped in at Wals for hot drinks, sitting in front of the fire to enjoy them. It made a very good end to the day. – Art.

The tramp on Ardachy Station to Blacksmiths gully was not a very long walk, but the climb out at the end of the day means that it is not all easy going. 4 trampers turned up on the day, & we set off to where we park the cars, just around the corner from the lonely grave site above Hindon. As it was 10 AM when we arrived there, morning tea was taken before we set off on the tramp along the top of the ridge. The weather was fine, with a very slight, cool breeze, & some frost & frozen puddles underfoot. We spent some time down by the river looking at the destruction among the willows, caused by flood waters, & we were also amazed by how high up in the trees the flood debris was deposited. [probably about 6-7 mtrs. above the river level]
As it was only around 11:20 by this time, we set off along the picturesque valley floor, until we came upon a good sheltered, sunny spot for a lunch break, …

… not far from where we had to cross the stream, & start the climb back to the car. After a leisurely lunch, we moved on until we came to the old mine shaft, which we climbed up the bank to inspect. the fence around it is slowly getting wrecked as time goes on, but the bush growing around the hole is still protecting it well. After this, it was just a matter of climbing back to the car, which seems like a daunting task when looking up from the valley floor, but it only takes around 1/2 an hour to climb out.

We all agreed it was a good walk, with the area being new to two members of the party.Walked 6.44km
moving time 1hr 45min.
ave 3.7km/hr
climbed 326mtrs. -Ken

The pic below shows 3/4 of the party at the point on the ridge where on previous tramps we had crossed from the river side of the ridge to the other. We arrived at this point by keeping to the ridge and avoiding the river-side track. Here we stopped for morning tea.

There had been a little drizzle to this point, but from here on, the weather and the views cleared to give us a good day out. To those who remained at home, we proved that you make your own luck. Bravo.

And from this point we still kept to the ridge and found a clear crack down the nose of the ridge to the river flats. Club pioneers! I think we’ll always wish to do the descent this way, now. We explored Blacksmith flat, noting a new electric fence put in no doubt to keep stock away from the river.

We then took the track down-river that leads to the further flat reached from the Mains Road tramp, and lunched, seated at the lovely BBQ area. Then it was back to take the Blacksmith Gully route up to the car.

The writer had forgotten just how far we have to ascend the gully floor before locating the FWD track that takes us back up to the car.

Then it was just a 25-minute hard-breathing one-foot-in-front-of-the-other climb, after first subjecting Judy to the obligatory mine shaft sighting.

And so back into the car and out along a road, good and smooth, but a bit sloppy from the earlier drizzle. A good try-out for Ian’s little new/old Corolla. – Ian.

We passed by the gravesite dedicated to Murdoch Graham and went onto the FWD track ahead.

This gradually descended before eventually climbing again to cross the steadily descending ridge on our right.

At this point, through a gate in the fence on the ridge crest, we took a track descending on the ridge’s right, although the Google Earth map does show a track going on down the ridge to the bottom.

The track to the right led us down into Blacksmith Gully which we pursued down to its end on the Taieri River.

After a wander round, we took the track going on down the river to lunch in warm sun by the water on a grassy flat.

Retracing our steps,

this time we went further up Blacksmith Gully till we took a track that at its first zigzag encompassed the fenced off mine shaft and threw down stones to gauge its depth.

Then it was steadily on up up up to regain the cars at the track’s top. – Ian.

Daphne, then President and founding member of the Club, was also a member of  the Dunedin Photographic Club. She met Don Graham, Ardachy Station owner there and got talking. An upshot was that he invited the Club to do a tramp on his land. This the Club did in 1989. They parked where we still park today, and followed the ridge from there down to the Flats. An arduous effort, following the ridges ups and downs. (We follow an easier 4WD track today.) On their return, club members were surprised to find Don by the cars, with a billy boiling over a fire.

He invited them to get their mugs out and filled them with tea. A very happy introduction to what has been a satisfying series of tramps there over the years.

Home is the farmer, home to the hills

11:59 AM Wednesday Nov 1, 2006

It took a long battle with bureaucracy, but an Otago farmer has been returned to the soil he worked on all his life.

Obtaining permission for the burial was a long legal process, including gathering affidavits and securing consents.

Very good but long drive in.. Several fences and gates to negotiate.

Took Hindon turn-off from George King Memorial Drive.

Just before road dipped down to the Taieri Park, parked at corner on grassy surface off road.

Followed 4WD down to river. Proceeded down-stream for some distance and stopped for lunch. Returned clockwise up valley. At stone fireplace, turned steeply up right bank, viewed vertical mine shaft, and met 4WD track back up to cars.

8. 18/4/2001. Hindon, Ardachy Station, Blacksmith Gully. Leaders: Bob H, Colleen, Doug M.

6. 27/11/1996. Blacksmiths Gully Hindon. Leaders: Eric and Dot, Joan H.

5. 1996 Bob H

4. 25/10/1995. Hindon, Blacksmith Gully, (Old Battery). Medium+. Leaders: George, Ria L, Bob Q, Jack R.

3. 3/11/1993. Blacksmith Gully. Hindon. Medium. Leaders: Bob, Daphne, Margaret D, Bob Q.

Easier alternative:: Leaders: Les and Mavis.

2. 19/6/1991. Blacksmith’s Gully. Lovely views – a good climb home. Average+. Leaders: Mervyn, Wendy, Ted, Daphne.

1. 22/3/1989. Blacksmith’s Gully from Ardachy Station. Lovely walk to Taieri River. Steep return. Leaders: Kath, Jack and Joan.

38 km from car park.

4. 22/3/2017. Trampers. Hindon Pipeline upstream. Leader: Neil.

Not one of the 6 trampers who ventured out on this walk had been to this area before, so it became like doing a recce !! We started by examining the map on the GPS & deciding to walk towards the Old Dunstan Rd. which was about 4km from where we parked the cars.  After climbing a couple of small hills, & a stop for morning tea, we got to within about 4 -500mtrs of the Old dunstan Rd. where we watched some farm hands feeding out to some cattle. then we turned right & went inland further to overlook the valley into Rocklands station. The lunch stop was on the tops with a view over to the Lammerlaw/ Lammermore ranges which were snow capped, & a rain shower passing along them. then it was back along the tops to join up with the road leading in, & back to the cars. A short walk, but enjoyable to be out on the open tops, & not in bush. the day was cool, but mostly calm, which made for pleasant progress. – Ken.

1. 12/12/2007. Trampers. Deep stream Bridge, Middlemarch Road, Hindon Pipeline. (upstream). Medium. Leaders: Arthur & Barbara

Click Swampy ridge track for background information

4. 11/1/2017. McQuilkans/Swampy Circuit. M. Leader: Art.

High overcast and warm temperatures were ideal for our first tramp of 2017. The idea was to have an easy day’s tramp, so as to break everyone back in after the Christmas Break/indulgences.

Seven participated in the day’s adventures, which were just a little more demanding.

Leaving our cars on the side of the Flagstaff-Whare Flat Road we walked in the Jim Freeman and Possum Busters tracks before turning onto McQuilkans. We then found track clearing in progress – we had travelled on recently cleared tracks since leaving the cars. A very good job had been done, too.

It was time for morning tea, so we stopped here, after talking the workman into joining us.

McQuilkans track took us uphill until we can to the Swampy Ridge track. Turning right we followed it, and then down to the Ben Rudd Shelter

for our lunch stop.

It was very peaceful and quiet there in the bush, we noted. The facilities were excellent,

with picnic tables for our use.

We next travelled up the challenging track (not shown in Hamel’s book) from the Ben Rudd Shelter, past the Big Rock and emerging onto the Firebreak track. This unnamed track had many patches of large rocks to scramble over, needing extreme care as a broken leg was not wanted. The track had been cleared last summer, and showed signs of being well used, too.

On the Firebreak track we walked a short distance towards the Bullring before going down the Big Rock track. None of us had ever been on it before. It had also been cleared last summer, after a period of being completely overgrown.

3. 28/8/2013. Trampers. Rollinson Road, Swine Spur, Swampy, McQuilkans, return Swampy, Rollinsons Road.

GPS of route., courtesy Ken. 13.9km; 3hrs 40min; 3.8km/h; total time 5.5 hrs; 730mtrs climbed.

Unsure of the condition of McQuilkins track, 5 trampers set out to tackle Swine Spur, Swampy Ridge, & McQuilkins. Swine Spur had been cleared, & presented no problems, apart from the tall steps on parts of the track, & short legs on some of the trampers ! We had morning tea, in the normal place at the cross roads on the track, then up to the top road, where Ken made a mistake, & pointed everybody in the wrong direction. He quickly realised his mistake, so no harm done. We then went around to the top of the Leith Saddle track to have an early lunch …

… & then back along Swampy Ridge to McQuilkins track, which didn’t look at all inviting from the top. However, we set off down the track, but it soon became obvious that there had been no clearing work done after the snow damage, & we quickly ran into problems in the bush.There was so much damage to the track, that it was almost impossible to see the ground trail through the fallen trees/scrub etc. We pressed on for about 300 mtrs. but decided that it was prudent to go back to the top, as the track was very hard to find, even with the help of the GPS, which Ken had pre-programmed with an earlier trip around the same circuit.  We then had a conference on which was the best/quickest way back to the car, as the weather was starting to look threatening. It was decided that we go all the way back to the top of Swampy Ridge, & down Rollinsons Rd. back to the car, which was left at the locked gate. We got as far as ‘the elbow’ on Rollinsons Rd. & then it started to rain, so a wet walk back to the car.
All agreed it was a good walk, but a pity McQuilkins was in such poor condition. I guess ‘the Green Hut track group’ will in time get around to clearing it, but it will be a massive job. – Ken.

13.9km
3hrs 40min
3.8km/h
total time 5.5 hrs.
730mtrs climbed

We went in at the Possum Busters entrance off Rollinson Road. Continue Reading »

Location: 31.8 km.

Click Taieri River Geology for background information.

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17. 5/10/2016. Hikers. Millennium-John Bull; Taieri Ferry to Taieri Mouth. Bus at both ends. M. Leaders: Bob and Doug.

Millennium Track – combined trip Wednesday 5th October 2016-10-05

A dampish morning did not deter 40 intrepid club members who boarded the bus at the Bush Rd car park promptly at 9am.  Packs were stowed in the luggage compartment and our driver Richard transported the happy crew out to Highway 1 and along to Henley and the start of the track – well, almost the start.  24 hikers disembarked in persistent light rain and trudged along the road for 45 minutes to a morning tea stop on the veranda of the white house just over the style, at the true beginning of the track.

The remaining 16 bods (and  the bus) departed for Taieri Mouth.

 

The upward plod soon began and we were glad it wasn’t too hot.  The light rain continued but there was no wind and it was pleasant for tramping.  It was lovely in the bush with plenty of bird song and glimpses of the river below as we climbed.

A couple of solid hours saw us at the junction down to John Bull Creek, where it was unanimously decided not to descend, but to press on to the top for lunch.  Which we did, collapsing gratefully for welcome food and drink.  The rain had stopped and a pleasant break was had, with chocs to celebrate Alec’s recent birthday.

Then down, and down, with a few inadvertent sit-downs, and the loss of a couple of impatient members who tried to take the direct route….it was quite slippery.  No harm done, and we were soon back by the river for the last plod out to the road.  The bus parked by the bridge was a welcome sight.

Nine cheerful souls on the bus had had a pleasant few hours meandering round Taieri Mouth and catching up on gossip, and there was no sign of the hardy seven trampers.

Thanks to hiking leaders Bob and Doug and tramping leader Arthur.  It was a great day out, well-supported and enjoyed by all, and rounded off with a riotous session for coffee for 23 at Topiary.  – Judy.

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16. 13/7/2016. Trampers. Millennium and John Bull from Henley. M. Leader:  Arthur.

Two cars transported 9 trampers to begin the day’s adventure. The mild temperature was welcome, the sky overcast with northerly breezes.

We left the car-park at 10.00 a.m. and waked for about 10 minutes, to have morning tea at the picnic spot on the riverbank.

Continuing on it was up and down, as the track flows, and then up to the high up seat where we stopped for a little while. This spot overlooks the river to advantage

and also views away to the north too.

For example, Mount Cargill stood out in all its glory, with its mast on top.

The track was now downhill, the trampers intelligently noting that it would be the opposite on the returning journey. We came to a small wind-blown tree across the track, but Neil M. wrestled mightily with it and it was a problem no more.

An hour after leaving the high up seat we reached the track’s end. We were invited to have our lunch outside at Jay’s nearby house (she didn’t have the key with her), which we found a most pleasant and suitable place. – Thanks, Jay.

A half-hour’s lunch and rest stop, and the party was on the track again. Grim determination was noted now, and with little talking, a fast pace was set, and we were back at the high up seat in an hour uphill – the same time as it had taken going down.

It had just come on to rain, so a brief regroup was taken under the trees, coats on, etc. The view being ignored now, downhill, and we were back at John Bull gully – just as the rain stopped and the sun came out.

Up the zigzag, and along, and down, etc., saw us back a the car park at 3.35 p.m.

The DoC sign at the car park stated that it was 9.3 km to Taieri Mouth but Margreet’s electronic gizmo said that we had done 16.2 kms.

Whatever distance we walked, we can say very definitely that “we went there and back”. A satisfying day’s tramp.

Blustery wind and rain welcomed us back to Mosgiel. No time for coffee today! – Arthur (substitute leader for Helen – off sick.)

The day was a bit cold and windy with some promised rain. A vote taken at the Taieri River mouth bridge was two to one (the writer was the ‘one’) with two abstentions to do the more sheltered John Bull Gully track instead of the scheduled Akatore beach walk. Aerobically it was certainly more beneficial with its plentiful provision of ups and downs. Continuing on to the Millennium Track to Wardells Cottage as well provided us with an all-up 18 km work-out which we all enjoyed. There was some spring grass overgrowth in places and the odd fallen tree. Some scrub cutting had been started There was some school group or other on inflatables out on the Taieri.

12. 15/4/2009 Hikers. John Bull Track. Leaders: Lesley S, Bill H, Fred.

11. 16/5/2007. Hikers. John Bull from  Taieri Mouth. Medium. Leaders: Dot B, Lesley G.

10. 15/10/2003. Medium. John Bull Gully from Taieri Mouth. Medium. Leaders: Jack and Rosemary.

9. 5/9/2001. Combined. John Bull Track. Leaders: Frank and Lesley, Pam.

8. 1/11/2000. John Bull Track. Leaders: Doug M, Hazel, Jean.

7. 16/6/1999. John Bull Track. Leaders: Lance and Lois, Judy C.

6. 18/11/1998. John Bull Track to river. Leaders: Dot B, Doug and Ngaire.

5. 8/7/1998. John Bull Gully and return. Leaders: Bev H, Bev McI.

4. 4/6/1997. John Bully Gully. Leaders: Joyce, Nancy, Eleanor.

3. 14/2/1996. John Bull Gully. Leaders: Dot and Eric.

2. 6/4/1994. John Bull Track, then over paddock to Waihola Road, back on John Bull Track. Medium. Les S, Bill H, Doug and Ngaire

18/5/2016. Trampers. Lake Whare and surrounding tracks circuit. Leader: Arthur H.

It came on to rain lightly as we met at the car park. At 9.00 a.m. the 11 Trampers present held a brief conference and decided  that as it looked very wet in the direction of the programmed tramp to the “3 Kings”, we would change and go to the Whare Flat area. This was a very wise decision as it was very pleasant in the bush even though it was raining.

We decided to do a circuit taking in Smithies, Possum Busters, Swine Spur and Lake Whare loop tracks. Accordingly we parked the cars at the bottom of Rollinsons Road. It was rather wet out in the open while getting ready, but no problem once we got started.

The first thing to admire, before we began, was the bridge at the start of “Smithies”, giving dry access across the swampy ditch from the road. The bridge was of Neil’s design and construction, so it was only fitting that a photo of himself standing on the bridge …

… is presented herewith.

Going in this direction Smithies track …

… climbs on occasion. It was after 10.00 a.m. before we stopped for morning tea, as we had to find a suitable spot under the tree canopy to keep us dry. Everything was quite wet underfoot by now, but the track conditions were good.

From our stop, it didn’t take long to reach the end of Smithies. We turned left, on Possum Busters now, passing the junctions of McQuilkans and then Porkies tracks.

Eventually we reached Swine Spur/Possum Busters cross-roads (cross-tracks?) where we stopped briefly. Downhill we now went on Swine Spur, finding that this upper part is quite overgrown.

The sun came out …

… and we stopped for lunch at a suitable spot after reaching ‘cutty grass flats’ – which we had track-cleared some months ago. The sun was very welcome and the weather remained dry then till we finished.

Afterwards it was only a short distance to the Lake Whare Loop track which we followed. A stop was made to admire Lake Whare …

… after crossing the rock wall and looking at the ruins of the rock-walled building (house?).

We then crossed back onto Smithies Track, and thence back to the cars.

It was agreed that all had enjoyed the tramp, even though it wasn’t all that long. There had been a good variety of up and down, giving everyone a good work out.

Upon returning to Mosgiel, a meeting of the” Taieri Recreational Tramping Club AND Coffee Club” (Tramping Division) was convened at the Wooden Table cafe. – Arthur H.

21/7/2004 Trampers. Lake Whare, Steve Amies, Trig Q. Medium. Leaders: Ian, Bob H

Click Dunedin’s Hills’ History for background information.

Click Swampy ridge track for background information.

Click Pineapple Track for background information.

Click Pineapple and Flagstaff walk for background information.

6. 23/3/2016. Morrisons/Poleline/Swampy/Moon circuit. Leader?

After cancelling our trip to Leaning Lodge, 7 trampers turned up at the carpark to do the Morrisons/Poleline/Swampy/Moon circuit.
We parked on the Leith Valley Rd. by the entrance to the Glow worm track, then walked up the road to the bridge over the Morrison Burn.
The day started off cool, but fine, & the track condition was quite good. We climbed under the barrier at the locked gate on the bridge at the start, & made our way up to the weir,

then backtracked to where the track went uphill through the bush. After morning tea break,

we carried on until we came across a gravelled road, where we took the wrong way!! We soon discovered our mistake, & walked along the road to where the track started again up through the bush. This eventually led us onto the Poleline track that goes up to the top of Swampy. We had lunch sheltered from the wind by the building at the top of the Leith Saddle track, then retraced our steps back …

… to the junction of the Poleline track & the Swampy Ridge track, where we turned off, & made our way along to the top of Moon track. We had a short stop here before heading off down this very badly rutted [damaged by mountain bikes] & rough track into the bush again where there is a multitude of mountain biking tracks, winding back & forward making it hard to know which track to take. So we just kept looking for tracks that went downhill, & eventually we ended up on the Leith Valley Rd. about 150mtrs from the cars.

An interesting day, & a tramp that a few had not done before, & all agreed that it was a good walk.
Walked 12.8km
Ave speed 3.9km/h
Moving time 3h 18min.
Climbed 658mtrs. – Ken.

Morrisons Burn waterfall

4. 23/1/2008 Morrisons Track, Swampy, Pineapple, Nicols Creek. Leaders: Lex

Parking the cars at the Nicols Creek bridge, we walked up the Leith Valley Road to Morrisons at the foot of Stoney Ford slope. We scrambled past the large slip immediately across the footbridge and enjoyed the beautiful bush and moss-clad track up to reach the waterfall. Then the steep scramble up the bank to morning tea on the 4WD at the slope’s top. Along that a bit, and then it was further up, up, up through bush to join the Pole Track 4WD to enjoy lunch where it meets the Swampy Ridge track. Instead of turning down the Nicols Creek track junction when we reached it,

1. 15/11/2006. Trampers. MOrrison Track, Pole Track, Swampy. Medium. Leaders: George, Doug J.

6. 16/9/1998 Grainger Road, Woodside. Leaders: Bill H, Graham

5. 29/4/1998. Maungatua via Graingers Road, return – round trip. Leaders: Bill H, Graham, Ian.

4. 14/8/1996. Grainger Road to Woodside Glen. (Car Shuttle) Medium+. Leaders: Wendy, Bev H, Bill H.

3. 7/12/1994 Grainger Road, Maungatua, Woodside. Steep and long. You may go part way on this one and a leader will bring you back. Leaders: Nancy, Rob Q, Joyce S, Colleen

1/10/1994 Leaders: Joyce S, Nancy, Colleen

2. 11/5/1994. Grainger Road, Woodside, Maungatua. Med+. Long. Leaders: Nancy, Colleen, Rob Q, Joyce S

1. 11/3/1992 Leaders: Bob & Audrey, Denise, Doug M

Location: 15 km.

Seven trampers started out from Brighton to walk the beach to Kuri Bush. The weather was overcast, but fine all day, & no wind, which made pleasant beach walking.
As lunch was taken before we reached Kuri bush,

we never quite made it all the way there before turning back. As the tide was starting to come in,

we walked some of the way back on the road, until we could get back

onto the beach. – Heb.

4. 7/11/2013. Both. Brighton to Bruce Rocks. Leader: G Haggie.

3. 10/11/2010. Trampers. Brighton Beach walk south. Medium. Leaders: All.

This was the first tramp without a recce or leader. Overworked leaders had begun complaining as low tramper numbers had meant frequent leadership duties. Ironically 10 of us turned up on the day. We had morning tea at the same spot as last time – at the point where the unbroken beach gives way to rocky outcrops and small bays. As you can see, the tide was well out.

The two small waterfalls pictured in the last tramp were almost indiscernible trickles, so dry had the season become. So far out was the tide, that we were well beyond the point we had reached on the previous occasion. Fortunately Ken drew our attention to the fact that we had gone over 8 km, only about 2 km short of Kuri Bush. Far enough. So we lunched. On the way back some striated rock face drew our attention.

We got well strung out on the walk back with one or two getting well ahead and a tail-end group dropping well back. But we all got there, with several taking the opportunity to enjoy going bare-foot in the surf.

However we all made good time covering 17 km all up, getting back to the cars about 2.30 p.m.

A lovely sunny day. Tide well out. Good hard sand. It was great. – Ian

2. 20/8/2008 Trampers. Brighton Beach walk south. Medium. Leaders: Ian, Sabina

1. 10/10/2007. Hikers. Beach Walk. Brighton. Easy. Leaders: Jean, Dot B.

23 km from car park.

1/4/2015. Both. Neehoff Farm, Hindon. M. Leaders: Ian F and Arthur H.

A goodly number of thirty Trampers and Hikers, as you can see from the GPS map, set off back alongside the road we had arrived in, the Leaders searching for one of several elusive ridges, each separated by bushed gullies and leading down to a main gully at their foot. However, due to their number (six in total!) and too tentatively choosing one ridge too soon but finding it too stunted to be the one, we ended up turning back (about 0.7 kms on GPS map) instead of going on, and descending the ridge futher back only to be forced to have to climb out of the gully beyond its foot (red spot about 1.4 kms on GPS map) and up onto the one originally planned on.  By now it was time for morning tea. (Sorry about the lack of photos – we didn’t have John and his camera with us this time.)

On down the right gully now this time and into the main one across its foot, left skirting its side and crossing at a bridge and struggling up the slope directly ahead. (Red spots about 1.6 kms on GPS map.) Then it was on, up to our left, climbing gradually for the most part, through a number of paddocks and gates, until by various turns we reached what appeared a paper road. (About 3.7 kms on GPS map.) This formed a long ascending route to the point where we turned into a paddock again. (About 5.8 kms on the GPS map.) En route, we met up with the Neeehoff farm’s neighbouring owner. He reassured us he had been consulted, but it now became apparent that we had spent more time on his farm than the other! Ah well, another permission to prudently seek next time. It was in the new paddock that the mushroom pickers got really busy. There had been some mushrooms in the first paddocks, but here their number appeared endless. This led to a prolonged hunt by the aficionados while most went on to stop for lunch not too distant from one particular loiterer who shall remain unnamed. (6.1 kms on the GPS map.) Some great mushroom fry-ups would be on the menu that evening!

Around the head of the gully facing the luncheon eaters, we descended to the big gully again, but here bridgeless, with its water-way just a step (or more in some places) too wide. Many just plunged through, but the tail on the GPS map indicates a walk upstream for the few patient enough to wait to be led to the only dry one-step crossing. (About 6.7 kms on the GPS map.) From there we had to walk back along to our left and the corner of a paddock ahead, and wait for leader Arthur to switch off the hot wire of what we now knew to be the Neehoff boundary fence. (About 6.9 kms on the GPS map.) Once through the fence, ahead lay the long steep slog up the longest and principle of all those six ridges leading back up again, – also the nearest to the homestead. (Kms 7 and 8 on the GPS map.) Now we were back up onto the original paddock and soon back to the cars.

Well, this was one of the now controversial “both” walks, set down for Trampers to join with Hikers the first Wednesdays of the months. It was moderately hard only in respect to the steep climbs out of the gullies. But not particularly long or challenging. There were happily more Trampers than there had been recently, generously tolerating the slower pace of the Hikers for the  sake of “Recreational” togetherness and getting to know fellow-club members better. Perhaps the emerging arrangement of this along with a track-clearing option on the same day, is becoming a way through of providing a flexibility of choice for Trampers to exercise in accordance with their own preference. – Ian

20/2/2013. Trampers. Neehoff Farm, Hindon.

22/2/1995. Neehoff Farm, Hindon. Medium. Leaders: Molly, Jack and Rosemary, Eleanor.

25/2/2015 Hikers. Heenan Road to Waipori River. Leaders: Peter and Elaine.

Thirteen Hikers parked their cars by a Lavender Farm in Heenan Road. The day turned out to be largely a road walk.  We walked the length of Heenan Road into the face of a ferocious westerly that didn’t let up all day, and had forced us into our parkas for warmth. We passed the former Wesleydale Methodist Camp site on our right, sighted the paddock corner where the track to Three Kings went into the bush, looked up at Three Kings standing out at the top, and passed the stock shed a  little further on, some of us noting that it marked the top end of the paper road that links with the Waipori Road at its foot. But the plan was to continue further to where the Road met up with Munro Road. Turning right into it we shortly stopped in the shelter of a plantation for a brief morning cuppa, the plantation providing a measure of shelter for the wind blast. We continued to the road’s end by a built-up and fenced-off reservoir with its gate wide open. Courious, we climbed up and came across two DCC  workmen, one of whom was vainly paddling an inflatable dingy against the wind, eventually managing to get to the point where it could be pulled out of the water. Quite a sight. Forgot to take a photo. Ouch.

Past the dam,the road changed to a FWD track which in turn ended a paddock, down across which we went to a gate at its other end that led down to Waipori Road.

A short distance down we turned into Twelve Tree Road which led us to a paddock, across which was the metal stock bridge across the Waipori River. Peter went ahead on the pretense of having something to attend to, but when we got to the bridge there he was holding up a sign proclaiming “Bev’s Bridge”, due to her being one of the few who could walk across upright without having to bend her head to avoid hitting the low iron cross rods above. (See later pic taken on return trip.)

Instead of turning down stream, Peter led us up, through various gates and paddocks to a patch of bush which provided shelter from the wind as we sat in the sun and lunched.

Returning,…

…we came out at a different spot on the Waipori Road near the Mill Creek bridge and went along to return up the paddock we had come down earlier. Now with the wind behind us, returning was easier, and an obvious road allowed us to walk at our own rates.

Thanks to Peter and Elaine whose excellent leadership was helped by a compliant group, smaller than usual. – Ian.

3/4/2002 Combined. Berwick – Waipori River walk. Medium. Leaders: Bill H, Lesley S, Evelyn C

7/3/2001. Berwick. Waipori River Walk. Leaders: Bill H, Lesley S, Evelyn C.

15/9/2014.
Just been reading some of your website on this short track. You may like to know that when we were talking to the gentleman at the museum last week, he told us that the track was put in to take supplies of piping etc up the burn for the Outram water supply. Also, if you go to the end of that track, & then cross the burn, there is a track up the other side, & up there is a valve, & some old piping. So it seems that the track has nothing to do with the old mill that was there, as it got it’s water from the race that you & I found in the paddocks above the road.
He has some old photos of the area as well, but they are not very good ones. There is also a water wheel [working] at the museum, which I think he said was the old mill wheel. – Ken

10/9/2014. Trampers. Outram Glen & Traquair/Whare Creek.

After a cool start to the day, the weather warmed up, & we had a good walk along the Outram Glen track to Lee stream, [where we discussed the possibilities of crossing the stream without getting very wet] & back. We had a couple of stops along the way, one was with the owner of one of the houses up the Chalkies track road. He tells us that the grumpy one has now gone, & the new owners are quite ok with groups like ours going down [or up] the track through their properties, then down [or up] their driveway. I think permission should still be sought first though, especially for the first time at least.We arrived back at the car for lunch, & then proceeded along to the short track that runs in from the one way bridge at the start of the George King Memorial Drive. this was a new walk for some in the group, & started up a discussion on the old mill that used to be there.
On the way back out, we decided to go up into the museum grounds, as this was also new for some in the party. We struck up a good conversation with one of the gentlemen working on the site, & he was most helpful with info on the old mill, it’s whereabouts, & where to find some old relics.
We arrived back at the carpark, just before the hikers returned.We walked approx 12.5km  [didn’t take the GPS on the short track.]
ave. 4.2km/hr. – Ken.

5/5/2012. Whare Creek Outram Council weir. Ken and Ian.

On a fine Monday afternoon and with permission and advice from the landowners, we explored down the bush track below the power lines to arrive at the water race that supplied the water that drove the old Outram Glen Flour Mill back in the early 20th Century.

Following the pink markers brought us to the point leading steeply down below the race to the creek and a weir. From Jim Sime’s later information, this was the Outram Council’s weir and pipe line to supply water for the Outram Water Supply tank, located above the Taieri Museum, now no longer in use. The weir was designed so that flood debris would wash right over it.

Mr Sime said that the Flour Mill water race, higher up the bank, which he explored on an earlier occasion, leads on for a considerable distance to disappear at the face of a rock bluff, with no indication evident of how the fluming would have had to have been attached to the sheer rock. Mr Sime thinks that a pool yet further upstream at a streams’ confluence may well have been where the race might have begun.

 

18/4/2012. Trampers. Outram Glen & Traquair/Whare Creek.

23/4/2008 Leaders: Ria L, Hazel

No. 50 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “McLaren Rd – Christies Gully Year Round”

Trampers Park Henley Road, to left of entrance from north end of flood free highway. 17 km from car-park.

Hikers Park Henley Road, to right of entrance from north end of flood free highway. 18 km from car-park.

9/7/2014. Hikers.  Otokia, Big Stone, Christie Gully and Henley Roads. Leaders: Les and Margaret.

 

 

13/6/2012. Hikers. Otokia, Big Stone, Christie Gully and Henley Roads. Leaders: Les and Margaret.

24/8/2011. Hikers.  Otokia, Big Stone, Christie Gully and Henley Roads. Leaders: Les and Margaret.

27/7/2011. Trampers. Henley Road, Christie Gully Road, Big Stone Road, McLaren Gully Road SE along SH1 back in to cars on Henley Road extension. 3.5 to 4 hours. 15 km walk. Continue Reading »

No. 90 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Round Hill – Milburn (George) Farm”

42 km from car park.

2/6/2014 Both. Fort Hill, Barnes and Circle Hill Roads, Milburn. Moderate. Leaders: Ian, Ken

Twenty-six turned out for a sunny first tramp for the winter, on back country roads amongst lovely rolling hill farms to the west of Milburn.

We lunched where Fort Hill Road ended at a T-junction with Barnes Road, which stretched left to meet Circle Hill Road, and right to form to form a larger route to also turn down Circle Hill Road at its end where both these roads joined to form Douglas Road.

Ken supplied this report regarding this spot. Thanks Ken. : “The people that did the longer walk, covered 15.2km; Moving time  3hrs 9min; We climbed 374mtrs. I guess the ones that took the shortcut walked about 11km.
I base this on the time taken for us to walk around the longer loop, & the ave speed was 4.8km/hr, & it took us nearly an hour to walk around the loop.”

As said before, the day was sunny and calm, and each ample time to make the climbing bits at bits own pace.

Just a personal thought for road walks. With the growing practice of wearing, and of availability of high-viz vests, a good idea would be for more than just the leaders to be wearing them.

And lastly. What is becoming the customary coffee stop was enjoyed this time at Waihola’s Black Swan. – Ian.

1/9/2010 Both. Fort Hill, Barnes and Circle Hill Roads, Milburn. Moderate. Leaders: Ian, Ken