Trampers – Page 12 – Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

Outram Glen and Traquair/Whare Creek. Cartwright Track

Outram, Allanton, Floodbanks, Lee Stream, Traquair, Whare Creek – Information and Trips Library

6. 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

5. 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.

4. 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.

Old Outram Council Weir and piping, no longer in use.

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.

Ken pic. Upstream from the weir, the creek winds round to the left.

3. 18/4/2012. Trampers. Outram Glen & Traquair/Whare Creek.

Seven of us took to the Outram Glen – Lee Stream track on an overcast & cool morning. We decided to have morning tea at Lee Stream, so we set off at a good pace, & we soon warmed up. The sun was out at Lee Stream, so a leisurely break was in order. We made our way back to the glen where we had lunch, & then we moved the cars down to the Traquair Burn bridge.

We made the short walk to the start of the Traquair Burn track & along this to the end, where we did a bit of exploring up the small tributary stream on the left. This quickly ran out of easily negotiated terrain, so we went back to the track end, & Ken went exploring up the Burn a bit further to see if it was possible to go upstream.

We returned to the cars via the Outram machinery museum grounds, where we had a good look around. – Ken

2. 23/4/2008. Trampers. Outram Glen & Traquair/Whare Creek.

Six trampers turned up at the car-park following a very stormy night to learn that the leaders, Ria and Hazel had, happily as it turned out, decided on Outram Glen instead of Whare Flat. They had carried out three Whare Flat recces only to find on each occasion tracks too overgrown to clear. We were delighted to find the reported upgrade of the initial flat (mostly) part of the Outram Glen track had been widened and metalled making for two-abreast walking. The remaining steeper bit however was literally, according to a DoC notice, “maintained to only route standard”. It was! But we made good progress arriving at the Lee Stream terminus at 11. It was there that Doug and Hazel discovered wild potatoes

Gathering potatoes near Lee Stream outlet.

of a very good size which Doug lugged back down the track for his meal table.
We lunched below the Taieri Historical Museum area prior to exploring a newly-cleared track up alongside the Traquair (or Whare) Stream – a new discovery for most of the group. Ian recounted how his Grandfather and family had owned the Flour Mill in a small area across the stream from 1911-1913 (the original Outram Glen), now buried under the present road corner alignment: a place once renowned for its gardens and picnic area for locals. Two houses, a mill, a fountain and an electric generator (which had earlier powered Outram’s street lights) as well as gardens had occupied the area. The buildings were destroyed by fire in 1918.

Fallen coloured deciduous leaves on an open area of the track would have kindled a painter’s imagination. We returned from where the track finally petered out, left wondering where it might have continued to in the past. Another satisfying day. – Ian

1. 23/4/2008 Leaders: Ria L, Hazel

Christie Gully, Big Stone Road, Otokia, McLaren Gully Rds

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.

17. 9/7/2014. Hikers. Otokia, Big Stone, Christie Gully and Henley Roads. Leaders: Les and Margaret.

About to begin tramp — About to set off. (John panorama pic)

Morning Tea on a hump of Otokia Road. (John pic)

Road dip — The dip in the Otokia Road beyond the Morning Tea stop. (John pic)

Otokia sign — The road sign marking boundary between Big Stone and Otokia-Kuri Bush Roads. (John pic)

Christies Sign — The road sign by Margaret’s g/parents’ place where we turned off to steeply descend Christie Gully Road. (John pic)

16. 13/6/2012. Hikers. Otokia, Big Stone, Christie Gully and Henley Roads. Leaders: Les and Margaret.

15. 24/8/2011. Hikers. Otokia, Big Stone, Christie Gully and Henley Roads. Leaders: Les and Margaret.

14. 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.

View from top of Christie Gully Rd (Ken pic and caption)

Ria & Linzi enjoying the snow. (Ken pic and caption)

13. 13/10/2010. Hikers. Christie Gully, Cemetery.

12. 3/6/2009. Both. Henley Road, Christie Gully Road, Otokia Kuri Bush Road East, (down Otokia Rd for shorter walk), Big Stone Road, McLaren Gully Road SE along SH1 in to cars on Henley Road extension. Leaders: Les and Margaret.

We parked in the usual place.

click to enlarge

The start. Chris, Dot, Molly, Bev, Lesley, Margaret

The later 9.30 a.m. start had us stopping for a cuppa on the Henley Road in some shelter instead of after the turn into Christie Gully Road.

Tea break. Lesley, Bev, Dot, Chris, Margaret.

Next, we saw geese on the Taieri River.

Then we saw deer on the hill.

On Christie Gully Road we saw some old friends – or their descendants.

Sign says it all. — The sign says it all.

At the top of the road we stopped for a breather and to admire the view. It turned out we were outside Margaret’s mother’s old place. The house had been burnt down long before Margaret’s time.

Margaret's folk. — Peter, Carmel, Molly, Bev, Margaret, Chris.

We paused at the junction of Big Stone Road and Otokia-Kuri Bush Road West.

As Margaret was going to take those who wanted a shorter walk down the shortcut and via the cemetery, we stopped for lunch here.

Falcons — A rare sight of falcons flying and calling in sky.

The first time I’ve snapped this place.

House — An attractive old house on McLaren Gully Road.

11. 29/10/2008. Hikers. Otokia, Big Stone, Christie Gully and Henley Roads. Medium. Leaders: Peter B, Neil

10. 12/9/2007. Hikers. Christie Gully, McLaren Gully Roads. Easy+. Leaders: Margaret and Les.

9. 8/8/2007 Leaders: Ian, Bill M.

Parked north end of flood free highway by gravel heaps.
Walked Henley Rd to Christie Gully.
To Otokia Kuri Bush Rd East/Big Stone Road.
Turned down McLaren Gully to SH1. Henley Rd to cars.

8. 30/6/2004. McLaren and Christie Gully. Medium. Leaders: George, Bruce, Dot T, Les & Margaret.
7. 18/9/2002 Leaders: Catherine, Lance & Lois
6. 27/9/2000 Christie Gully – McLaren Road. Road Walk. Leaders: Mary Y, Jean A, Catherine
5. 16/6/1999. Christie Gully, McLaren Road. Leaders: Les and Margaret, Wendy.
4. 22/7/1998. Christie Gully, McLaren Gully. Leaders: Margaret S, Nancy.
3. 11/6/1997. McLaren Gully, Christie Gully round trip. Leaders: Les and Margaret, Ivan.
2. 5/11/1992 Otokia, Big Stone, Christie Gully and Henley Roads. Average. Leaders: Eric & Dot, Margaret S, Les W
1. 15/6/1991. Christie Gully and McLaren Road. Good winter tramping and views. Average+. Leaders: Nancy, Margaret S, Eric & Dot

Distance from car park: 18 km.

Fort Hill, Barnes and Circle Hill Roads, Milburn.

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

iPhone GPS of route. Shows shorter than actual because I forgot to turn it on until after the first half km! See also Ken’s GPS for his 2010 route map.

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.

Morning Tea at the Finch Road turnoff from Circle Hill Road. (Heb pic)

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.

Lunch. Panorama pic. — Panorama pic. (The black bit at pic bottom results from my inexpert handing of my panoramic app.) Lunch. Here, Barnes Road goes ahead (in the pic) for the shortcut route and to the right for the longer route.

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

GPS of route. The short-cut can be readily picked out. (Courtesy, Ken).

Continue reading “Fort Hill, Barnes and Circle Hill Roads, Milburn.”

Salisbury, Mill Stream Road, Silver Stream Road

21/5/2014.Trampers: Nth Taieri Church, logging site, Mill Stream Rd, Silver Stream Rd. Car Shuttle. M

Trampers GPS — GPS of route, courtesy Ken. We walked 12.6km; 4.1 km/hr; Climbed 595mtrs; Max elev 447mtrs.

4 intrepid trampers turned up to do a walk that had never been done before by the club. The weather was not looking good, but we set off to leave one car at the Silverstream end, then came back to the Nth. Taieri Church, and walked up the muddy paddock to the restored cottage, where we had an early morning tea break. After this we walked up the track along the valley, which we found to be quite difficult due to fallen bushes across the track. Once into the pine forest the going was a lot clearer, but much steeper, & we worked up a bit of sweat climbing through here, so it was off with some clothing. When the top was reached at the farm paddocks, the wind was very brisk [& cold] so wind break clothing was quickly donned again. The walk along the farm road was uneventful, but when we reached the logging road we had to watch out for the trucks using it.
We walked past the log processing site, & into City forests, [which I forgot to get permission for], and then onto a little used road which lead us to the top of Mill Stream Rd. There was a lot of deer sign down here, but we didn’t see any deer. After crossing Mill Stream, it was a climb up the other side of the valley, where we stopped in the shelter of the trees for lunch, …

Packing up after lunch. (Heb pic, Ken caption)

… then up again through the back of Strauss’s property to the end of Mill Stream Rd. & onto the track leading down into Silverstream valley, back to the car which we had parked in the farmer’s yard earlier in the day.

The weather was good all day except for a short shower as we came down the track into Silverstream valley, although the wind was quite cold all day.
Everybody agreed it was a good walk, and that they would do it again. – Ken

THE DREADED DEMON TRAIL – a private trip.

THE DREADED DEMON TRAIL

On Tuesday March 25th Judy Knox and two friends of long-standing, Jan and Brian, set off for the Hollyford Valley. After a night at Te Anau we were at the road-end by midday on Wednesday, and had a leisurely three-hour walk to Hidden Falls Hut. Next morning Brian discovered he had left his heart pills in the car, so did a quick return for them, and we proceeded to Alabaster Hut, extending the day’s tramping, for him , to almost nine hours.

Still feeling fit, we covered the next, longer, leg, from Alabaster to Demon Falls Hut, in eight hours – a bit over the suggested time, but we always take regular (hourly) rests, and our pace is steady but not fast, considering heavyish packs. The track from the road-end to Alabaster is great – wide and well-formed, with gentle gradients. However, from here on it becomes seriously rough, and very up and down, making pretty hard going.

Now the fun begins. It’s Friday morning. We get an early start (first light) and set off in good heart. But Jan rapidly develops a pain in her right knee and gets slower and slower. We take numerous rests, lighten her pack, and watch anxiously. The ups and downs are endless, the three-wire bridges a real problem for her, and the map gives no indication of how far it is to the next hut – Hokuri, supposedly about eight hours from Demon Trail Hut.

Daylight fades. We scramble on, now having to haul Jan over numerous obstacles. We have a look at her leg. The knee is badly swollen and barely takes her weight. Darkness falls. After thirteen hours tramping we call it a day, scramble off the waterfall of a track to a dry spot in the bush, and set up a fly camp. Lots of things to be thankful for. It’s fine and warm, and I am carrying my new poncho, which is large enough to open out into a fly, which we rig over a log and attach to our walking poles with bootlaces.

And we are carrying a locator beacon. Hot soup, and we settle for the night. Surprisingly we all sleep relatively well, in spite of the odd buzz of a mosquito and some light rain just before daylight. Hopefully the rest will help Jan’s knee and we can get to the hut in the morning.

No such luck. When she rolls out of her sleeping bag she can barely stand. We debate the options. Nothing for it but to set off the beacon, albeit reluctantly. We eat muesli and drink milo, then pack up and wait. Two hours later we hear the chopper approaching. It spirals down, and Brian and I frantically wave yellow pack liners until visual contact is made.

Looking up at the chopper (Judy pic and caption)

There is just a small window of sky visible, but the medic is winched safely down and makes a quick assessment.

Jan is strapped into a harness, her face rather ghostly white, and I don’t envy her as she spins wildly up …

Jan up — Jan spirals upward (Judy pic and caption)

… through the trees and into the chopper. The medic follows with her pack,

and suddenly we are alone again.

It’s only 45 minutes to Hokuri, but we agree Jan could never have made it. We spend a quiet afternoon at the hut recovering, before setting off next morning (Sunday) for Martins Bay, reached uneventfully in six reasonable hours.

It’s a beautiful place. Please, no roads around here! Next day we catch the jet boat up the lake, as previously arranged, and anxious to be reunited with Jan, walk the six hours from Alabaster Landing to the road end and the car, a welcome sight. We find her comfortably ensconced at the camping ground, using crutches to get around. It seems a ligament ‘blew up’, causing all the trouble.

In retrospect, we feel we handled the situation well. Maybe ‘oldies’ like us should not have tackled such a tough track in the first place, but by finishing the trip, Brian and I felt exonerated. We were lucky with the weather – rain would have made things a lot more difficult – but we were well-equipped and never felt in any serious danger.

High praise for the helicopter crew, and the fast efficient way in which they responded and carried out the rescue. – Judy

Motatapu

Away back about the middle of last year, while casting around for an adventure for the trampers, I came up with the idea of walking the Motatapu Track. After discussing this with a couple of others, it was decided to do the first 1/2 of the track only, as the logistics of getting cars to the other end was rather difficult. This track goes from the Glendu Bay end of Lake Wanaka, through to Macetown/Arrowtown via a walking track put in place by Soho Properties. It has 3 huts along it’s length which are very comfortable 12 bunk units.
We originally had 9 interested trampers, but this dwindled to 6 as time went on. We only had two informal meetings [one at the Waitati coffee shop, the other at Neil & Carole’s place] to sort out who was going to do what in the way of food, hut tickets, cars, etc.
4 of us left Mosgiel at 6am on the 4th March, to meet up with Neil & Carole in Wanaka, at Neil’s daughter’s place, where we quickly loaded up everybody’s packs with a share of the food supplies, had a cuppa, & then drove around to the start of the track …

Six intrepid trampers (Ken pic and caption) — Sign at the start. (Ken pic and caption)

… where 6 intrepid trampers set off on what we had been told many times was a rather hard slog.
It’s only 7 km to the first hut [Fern Burn], but when you are carrying 20+kg for the men & 15+kg for the women, & not used to it, it is quite a distance, & the track, apart from the first few kms, is narrow, & has some quite steep climbs, & drops along it’s length. One of the group [who shall remain nameless] pulled a muscle in a leg about 2 km from the hut, at a part of the most difficult/steepest section of the track & was unable to carry his pack, so Neil & I did a back & forward shuffle. We would carry our pack along the track a bit, then go back & pick up his, carry it forward some more, then go back for our own pack, & repeat the process, until we eventually got everybody, & everything to Fern Burn hut. As we sat around recovering, it was decided that the next day the injured party would stay at Fern Burn hut until the rest of us arrived back again. This meant that we could leave behind a small amount of our gear that we would not need for the next two days, so our packs would be marginally lighter.
The next morning 5 set off on the 2nd leg to go to Highland Creek Hut, which is about 6 km away, but a much more arduous section of the track, & climbs to about 1280 mtrs ASL. After what seemed like hours, & many rest stops, we finally reached…

We made it (Ken pic and caption) — We made it!! The top of Jack Hall’s Saddle. (Ken pic and caption)

… the top of Jacks Pass [1280 mtrs] to a majestic view of the surrounding valleys & snow topped mountains, where we had a well deserved rest & lunch. On looking down the imposing other side, …

Looking down (Ken pic and caption) — Looking down towards Highland Creek Hut (Ken pic and caption)

… [very narrow track along the top of a very steep, narrow ridge, with drops on either side] the ladies decided that they were not going any further, & that they would go back to Fern Burn hut. So it was left for me & Neil to decide what we would do. After discussing the prospect of having to climb back up the imposing track the next morning, we decided that, as we wouldn’t see much more than what we could from where we were, we would also go back to Fern Burn hut. I guess there was a sense of disappointment for us, that we wouldn’t fulfill our original idea of going to Highland Creek hut & back, but our tired bodies from yesterday’s efforts, told us that enough was enough. So we packed up after lunch, & headed back the way we had come. At least this time, it was mostly all downhill, …

Looking back (Ken pic and caption) — Looking back to Fern Burn Hut (Ken pic and caption)

… & we made good time back to Fern Burn hut, where our injured member was reasonably surprised to see all of us coming back. We had only one incident on the way back, when another party member [who shall also remain nameless] had a leg collapse under them & toppled over the track edge. This was done without any damage to body or equipment, so all ended well.
After another good evening meal, a night’s sleep, & some breakfast, we packed up in preparation for the walk back to the cars. This time we shared out most of the contents of the injured person’s pack between the other members of the party, & sent the injured member off on his own to see how he would manage, the rest of us following about 1/4 – 1/2 an hour later. I finally caught up with him when he took a rest stop, about 2/3rds of the way out, so there was no real problem getting everybody back to the car park.
We had brilliant weather all the time, not too hot, & just about right for tramping. All agreed it had been a hard 3 days, but was enjoyable. A good bunch to go away with, & we had a good few laughs along the way. – Ken.

Davies Track, Ben Rudd

Click Ben Rudd Article for background information.

Ross Creek, Lower Leith Valley, Wakari Rd Bike Park, McGouns, Pineapple and Davies Tracks – Information and Trips Library

5. 19/2/2014. Trampers. Pineapple, Ben Rudd, Davies.

GPS of route., courtesy Ken. (Anti-clockwise from Booth Road) 9.2 km; 3 km/hr; 3 hr 6 min moving time; 2 hrs stopped!!; Climbed 589 mtrs.

The group at the new seat. (Heb pic and caption)

Afternoon tea break at the bottom of Davies track. (Ken pic and caption)

Hazel in deep thought over her phone. (Ken pic and caption)

4. 23/3/2005. Both. Davies Track, Booth Road. Leaders: Annie G, Irene, Dot B, Bruce.

3. 10/11/1999. Warburnton Track from Booth Road – Ben Rudd. Leaders: Joyce, Nancy, Ria.

2. 8/11/1995. Warburton Track from Booth Road to Ben Rudd. Medium. Leaders: Doug and Ngaire, Chris, Joan H.

1. 5/7/1995. Warburton Track. Ben Rudd. Medium. Shorter trip available. leaders: Ria L, Doug & Ngaire, Denise.

Old Lee Stream Hotel and Valley

Abt 30 km from car park.

5. 30/10/2013. Trampers. Old Lee Stream Hotel and Valley.

GPS of route, courtesy Ken and Ian H. Distance 11.5 km; walking time 2 hr 52 mins; Ave 4 km/hr; Total ascent 376 mtrs.

A small group of keen trampers set off to Lee Stream Bridge on a fine day. The planned farm track turned out to be a formed, gravel road which we followed through lush, green paddocks across James Reid’s property. Half-an-hour of steady climbing led us to a morning tea stop by the patch of pines and then onwards and upwards to the top. The map route we were following stopped, but there was a timely meetup with the farmer-owner of the farm who showed us where to go to traverse the section not indicated on the map.

From the highest point on the farm (which was not very high) we looked across to Silver Peaks, Saddle Hill and over to Lea Stream School in the south-west. Due to snow, this school has the most non-school days in the country.

Further on, we looked down on the old Lee Stream Hotel nestled amongst the trees and from here we headed for our starting point reached by an easy downhill tramp across more paddocks and scattering ewes and lambs.

It was a very pleasant tramp of easy to moderate grade. – Neil.

4. 31/5/2000. Old Lee Stream Hotel and Valley. Lee Stream Ramble. Scorgies Farm. Leaders: Ria L, Catherine, Molly.

3. 27/7/1994. Old Lee Stream Hotel and Valley. Scorgies Farm. Medium. Leaders: Ted C, Jack R, Jack M, Bob H.

Great farmland round trip. Park cars up from Old Pub. Follow up the stream.

2. 15/5/1991. Old Lee Stream Hotel and Valley. A bit of history and nice rolling countryside. Easy. Leaders: Ted, Jack. Ivan, Shirley

1. 19/7/1989. Old Lee Stream Hotel. (Average). History pub. Follow up the stream. Leaders: Betty, Bob, Jean

Swampy from Access/Rollinsons Road

4. 17/7/2013. Trampers. Rollinsons Rd, Rollinsons Track, Swampy Ridge track along to Hightop, & return.

4 trampers set out from the locked gate On Rollinsons Rd. which was a little icy in places & there was still some snow showing in parts as well. We were all amazed at the amount of destruction that the snow had caused, with 15cm Manuka splintered like matchwood, & everything sort of flattened.

We had morning tea in the shelter by the picnic area, & then climbed up to the elbow, where we went straight ahead on Rollinsons Track, which was running with water in parts, & covered with snow in other areas.

After reaching the Swampy Ridge track we set off towards Hightop, but soon found our way impeded by fallen Manuka. We negotiated this for a kilometer or two before arriving at a very large & difficult blockage, so as it was almost mid-day, we decided to have lunch, & then return to the cars. – Ken.

3. 31/3/2010. Trampers. Rollinsons, Swampy Ridge, Hightop. Leaders: Ria, Ian

The tramp differed from intentions. For one thing, the leaders had done no recce due to a failure to find a date suitable to both. For another, it had been four years since we had last tackled the track, and memories were a little hazy. Going in from the elbow of Rollinson Road, we were first surprised to find the Rollinson Track sign missing, replaced by one announcing “Tarns”. We wondered at this, but were pleased to find the track fairly well marked by fluorescent pink tape.

These led us helpfully deeper into the swamp. The dry summer had left the track beautifully only damp where there would normally have been mud.

Second surprise. The helpful pink tapes had led us down to Swampy Lagoon. Obviously the “tarns”, or one of them. Were there others?

Oh dear. Where to from here? With reflective hindsight, we should have resisted the seductive tapes way further back and sought out the true Rollinsons, once upon a time indicated with Les Murcott’s green markers, some still there in places but now very faded. We should have paid them more attention. But we had been suckered by the pink. So what to do? We knew we were well off the track, and that anyway, up at the top was Swampy Ridge track. So we set off up a vertically vertical ridge, pulling ourselves up with tufts of tussock and grass, to eventually gain the track, after much heaving and huffing.

Looking back down steep ridge we had just climbed

Later on, northwards to where the Ridge Track had considerably descended (!), we found the pole indicating where Rollinsons track DID emerge onto the ridge, by way of a MUCH easier climb.

“R” pole indicating Rollinsons track junction with Swampy Ridge.

Near the north end of Swampy Ridge Track,

we attempted a climb of Clump Peak on our right, as our way to Hightop on our left had appeared too scrubby.

2. 5/10/1988. Swampy from Access Road gate. Average Climb. Great views around summit (bring binoculars. Return by Flagstaff weather permitting. Car shuttle if required. Leaders: Bob H, Ria L, Jean Y

See Flagstaff Name for its origin.

But even here a thick belt of gorse blocked our way so we hunkered down for lunch interrupted by a VERY light shower which was magically terminated by dint of one or two of us donning parkas.

Back then, along Swampy Ridge and up to swampy summit topped by the Airways VHF receiver station. Descending the Rollinson accesss road to the elbow completed our extended circuit. Six of us had come out for the day. – Ian.

1. 5/10/1989. Swampy from Access/Rollinsons Road gate. Average climb. Great views around summit. Return by Flagstaff weather permitting. Car shuttle if required. Leaders: Bob, Ria, Mary.

Trig Q, Steve Amies track tramps

No. 57 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Trig Q from Whare Flat. N Strang. Key from WEA. Year Round”

15 km from car-park.

Racemans, Steve Amies Loop,Coal Creek – Information and Trips Library

9. 1/5/2013 Both. Steve Amies. Leaders: Ian and George.

This time we left from the schoolhouse, making it more of a road walk. We had morning tea on the lower Rollinson Rd and lunch in the track clearers’ picnic area, after inspecting the helicopter landing pad a little beyond.

As we returned down the road, we were surprised to see the helicopter, and shortly after the tank truck making their way towards where we had been. Apparently this was the day to carry out the weed spraying we had been notified about – and we were now making a timely exit. A tramp for 25 of us and of 10.5 km according to Peter’s pedometer and 25. – Ian.

8. 1/2/2012 Both. Steve Amies from Access Road. Leaders: Arthur and Barbara.

Sixteen of us left our cars at the locked gate on Rollinson access Rd and made our way up to the Track Clearers’ Picnic area. The leaders took us round many of the little nooks and crannies (they just seem to multiply of their own accord), stopping to inspect the labels fronting each bush planting. Of poignant note in front of one bush was a label printed with the name of Les Murcott, whose funeral a number of us had attended only a fortnight earlier.

We stopped off for our tea break.

Arthur led us down and across to Trig Q, and then on down Little Coal Creek until we got to the look-out. We careful negotiated some quite steep parts of the track and avoided any casualties. Then came the more arduous climb back up to the trig and across to the Steve Amies.

This latter track had a much more moderate decline (we stuck to only its upper reaches!), past another look-out, before making another turn around further down, to wander back up to the trig and on to the picnic area for lunch.

On the way across the wee saddle, we stopped to investigate the meaning of a sign indicating a sheltered area, whose side track opened out to a large open area in the bush, marked with a large white wooden equal-armed cross, laid flat on the grass. After some discussion, we decided the area was also to serve as a helicopter emergency landing spot. (There was even a ‘waiting room’ bench for passengers.)

Back up at the picnic area, our leaders discovered for us yet another alcove with ample tables and seats for a comfortable lunch.

A smaller one. (Admire Bruce’s head attire.)

Our leaders took us out to the road by a route different from the one we had entered by, and lo and behold, a salubrious shelter, doubtless erected by the track clearers for their comfort. Bravo.

Then we had only a stroll back down Rollinson Road to the cars. A leisurely 5.5 km walk, (as measured by two with their measuring devices.) Thank you, Barbara and Arthur for your careful leadership. – Ian.

7. 18/3/2009. Hikers. Steve Amies from Access Rd Hikers E+ Bev H, Joyce S

6. 25/7/2007. Hikers. Access Road, Steve Amies. Leaders: Bob H, Graham.

click to enlarge

Picnic Area nr Trig Q Fred, Marjorie, Joyce, Angela, Mollie, Wendy, Bev, Peter, Margaret, Elaine, Lesley

5. 19/5/2007 Trig Q from Silverstream via Steve Amies track. Steve Amies Track Circuit Leaders: Ria L, Hazel

4. 27/7/2005. Hikers. Steve Amies, Trig Q. Bob H, Les W, Mary M.

3. 2/2/2000. Trig Q from Silverstream via Steve Amies track. Steve Amies Track Circuit Leaders: Peter B, Lex

2. 23/10/1996. Trig Q. Average. Leaders: Margaret and Les, Doug J.

1. 7/6/1995 Trig Q from Whare Flat School. Medium+. Shorter trip available. Leaders: Bob H, George, Jack R, Nancy

Bull Ring, Spiers Rd, McQuilkan, Jim Freeman

Bullring, Spiers Rd, Skyline, Swampy, McQuilkans, Whare Flat Rd. We travelled 10km; Moving ave. 3.5km/hr; Moving time 2h 50m; Total ascent 491mtrs.

Only 4 trampers went on this walk, which was very uneventful, until we couldn’t find the Jim Freeman track going back up to Ben Rudds shelter. We must’ve walked past it but didn’t see it. After looking around a bit we set off back up the road to return to the cars, vowing to do a recce from the top, to find where the Jim Freeman track meets up with McQuilkans track. – Ken.