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Maps – Powder Ridge
Wallaces Farm on Hope Hill
14. 25/1/2023. Trampers. Hope Hill. Grade 4 Leaders: Diane and Marijke
‘Hope Hill’ is a working farm located just south of Allanton. The owners over the years have given the TRTC permission to undertake tramps through their unique property. We parked in a paddock off the State Highway. The morning was clear and warm and 16 trampers were keen to get underway. Ahead of us was a winding farm track up to the top of the hill. With a few stops along the way to appreciate the views of the Taieri Plain we reached our morning tea stop in around 45 minutes.
After morning tea we continued on the farm track for a bit more time and then we turned left and walked on grassy pasture toward the sea.
The interesting eastern view was unfolding for us and when we made our way up to a trig station we could see it all – Saddle Hill, Blackhead, Taieri Mouth, peninsulas beyond and forestry to the south.
After leaving the trig station we continued walking through the picturesque landscape with the ocean in the background. However, we had to leave this gentle part of the farm and tackle a steep downhill track that eventually led us to a large flat paddock. We followed sheep tracks through the paddock and eventually got to McLaren Gully Road. We turned right and had about 1.5kms to walk on the narrow, dusty gravel road. The road is used extensively by logging trucks. We were thankful that Lyn (one of our trampers) had contacted the haulage company and explained we would be on the road about midday, and they alerted their drivers to take extra care. We managed the road walk without incident. After passing wooded areas and an interesting old house the Hope Hill paddocks came back into view. We turned off the road and into the paddock at the earliest opportunity.
This side of the farm was drier and hotter and so it got a bit tougher for us. Our view now was the Taieri Plan, Dunedin Airport and surrounds.
Our aim was to reach the two prominent cell phone towers near the top of a ridge and have our lunch. However, there was a steep climb for us to reach the towers so needless to say we enjoyed our lunch break when it came.
After lunch we continued climbing but on a gentler slope and then traversed several paddocks back to the farm track we had come up in the morning. We descended the farm track back to our cars.
More downhill Caption and photo Neil
We walked around 14 kilometres and were all pleased to finish around 2.30pm as the day was getting hot and windy.
Thank you to Neil for all his work with helping us through fences and opening and closing gates.
Thank you also to Lyn for coming with us on the recce and helping us on the day.
13. 28/8/2019. Trampers. Hope Hill. M. Leader: Gordon.
The Hope Hill farm tramp started off at 9.50am, after parking cars in a paddock south of Allanton with 19 enthused trampers.
We followed a farm track straight up a ridge for nearly an hour
which was pretty steep at times, arriving at the top for Smoko amongst some tussocks sheltering us from a coolish breeze.
The sun was shining brightly and some great views were had from the south end of the Taieri down to Mosgiel. We then set off toward the coast which provided views of Blackhead, Saddle Hill, & Scroggs Hill until we came to the ridge which would lead us down to McLaren Gully road.
It was easy going for a start but got quite steep on the last half,
but thankfully no twisted or broken ankles or knees were reported after reaching the flats at the bottom from where we carried on to the road. After walking on the road for a while we turned off to start heading back up toward the cell towers where a very welcome sunny spot was found for a much needed lunch break.
After lunch we started back up a gentle gradient track back to our morning smoko spot and down the track a bit further to where we turned off to go down a different ridge to the cars
so that we were walking on grass which most, felt easier on the feet than the gravel track.
We arrived about 2.30pm, then on to Wals for a great social hour.
A great tramp, great workout, great views, great company. Distance 14kms. – Gordon.
12. 18/1/2017. Hope Hill. M. Leader: Arthur.
Today our team was comprised of 7 regulars plus guest Kathleen from Canada and Dave coming across from the Hikers – 9 in all.
The tramp was on “Hope Hill” farm, just below Allanton and we parked in the paddock off State Highway 1. To begin, we had a 3/4 hour uphill walk on the farm road, and in doing so gained about 200 metres of altitude.
Morning tea was taken beside an old farm trailer,
giving us a rest after the uphill bit. The weather was overcast, and just touching the top of Maungatua at the time. There were very good views from up on top.
Moving on, after paralleling the main road south for a short time, we changed direction towards the sea. We were able to view Scroggs Hill, Saddle Hill, Blackhead, and down to Taieri Mouth and beyond at times. The Peninsula was only vaguely visible in the misty conditions though.
Newly-weaned lambs were in the paddocks that we were walking through. Eventually we came to the boundary with the forestry, when the leader realised we had come too far. A little scouting found the top of the track we were to descend, requiring us to backtrack about 300 metres.
We followed a very steep track down through the bush, to emerge into a large paddock of ewes, who baa-ed a greeting to us, wondering where their lambs had got to.
Across the paddocks to McLaren Gully Road. A road walk for a while
before venturing back into the paddocks to climb up to our lunch spot in the shelter of a hut beside the 2 cell phone towers. It was a stiffish climb up to there,
and lunch was eagerly anticipated. The breeze was cool and we sought the shelter. The weather was deteriorating now, the cloud lowering considerably. We were overlooking the airport, but the far side of the plain and far hills disappeared.
It seemed wise to make our lunch stop brief, but we had only started off again when fine drizzle arrived with the cool breeze we were facing into. We were still climbing for a while, but it was a gentle slope. Not too unpleasant.
Return to the cars was planned to take a different route, but we changed our minds due to the conditions, and descended the farm road that we had begun on – not so nice going down on it though.
It started to rain just as we got to the cars, so the timing was good. Keith’s distanceometer indicated that we had walked 14.2 km. A good tramp, giving us all a good workout on the hills – and it had been quite enjoyable, too.
Arriving back in Mosgiel, the cars detoured into “Wals” for a little while. – Art.
11. 20/4/2016. Hikers. Hope Hill from McLaren Gully Road. M. Leaders: Lester and George.
10. 16/2/2011. Hikers. Hope Hill from McLaren Road. Moderate. Leaders: Peter and Wendy.
9. 21/1/2009 Trampers. Wallaces’ Farm on Hope Hill and Forest tracks. Medium. Leaders: Keith, Glenice, George
Nine of us walked from foot of McLaren Gully Road through a paddock with a stand of larches, cut across the corner of a paddock newly laid down in grass but at present largely growing fat-hen, to climb a track up through scrub,
then manuka,
then gorse
to arrive at the transmission mast by the macrocarpas, for morning tea. Here we enjoyed that panorama of the Taieri plain.
Along the farm ridge we inspected the historic site of the Harvard plane crash
The Harvard crashed during a flight from Taieri on 16 Sep 1954. Both occupants of the plane, married airmen, were killed instantly when their night trainer hit the hill at an altitude of 2000ft. The men were Flying Officer Roanald Arthur Slade (30), of Dunedin, a territorial officer and Leading-aircraftman R. H Lester (30), a radio mechanic of the Taieri Air Force Station. The aircraft was one of three which left Taieri at 10.15 pm. on a training exercise. (ODT Sat 6 Sep 2009 “Within Living Memory” section).
and an antique trailer loaded with farm miscellanea.
Further along Bob took advantage of an empty drinking trough to take a bath.
and down a ridge to the right, stopping to photo Saddle Hill from the south
into the forestry, with a surprisingly clear floor.
Down, down, down, to cross a small stream then up, up up back out into the farm and further steeply up a ridge to a trig
and to complete a clockwise loop (has usually been down anticlockwise on previous occasions) and back along and down the way we came. A good day, little wind, cloud but still quite hot apart from a passing shower. – Ian.
8. 28/5/2008. Trampers. Hope Hill from McLaren Road. Easy+. Wallaces’ Farm on Hope Hill Leaders: Ian, Pat
A chilly start in the carpark for a healthy turnout of hikers, trampers and walkers. We celebrated an 80th birthday for Anne Rose, who looked about 50, with several comments along the lines of “Hope I look like that when I’m 60 never mind 80″… A very good advert for the benefits of hiking!
We parked our cars on McLaren Gully Road and started the steep climb up Hope Hill, with someone saying no wonder it was called Hope Hill because you just hoped you would make it to the top. Morning tea was overlooking the Taieri Plains with the Taieri River and the airport down below and a panoramic vista in all directions. George gathered us together on one of the high points to tell us about a tragedy that happened here in the 1950s. A Harvard training aeroplane with 2 people on board crashed into the top of the hill, nose diving into the ground. It was found at the inquest that carbon monoxide had leaked into the plane from a pipe that ran through the cabin overcoming the pilots, probably before the plane crashed. Several people remembered the accident. We continued through Wallace’s farm, in places quite wet and muddy. At a trig we were able to see all along the coast as far as the peninsula, trying to name the headlands we could see. Then we wended our way down to a sheltered spot among some trees for lunch. We were a bit wary of the tall trees, as at a previous spot a large branch had crashed down making us all jump.
After lunch it was down, down, down a steep paddock and then a very steep track
through bush until, along turnip paddocks and wet, wet, wet, we hit McLaren Gully Road again and made our way back down to the cars. Thank you to Pat and Ian for doing the recce on Saturday and Monday and making it a good circular walk. – Tash
7. 14/6/2006. Trampers. Hope Hill. Easy+. Leaders: George, Bruce.
6. 17/11/2004. Both. Hope Hill from McLaren Road. Leaders: Hazel, George, Lesley G, Lesley S.
5. 10/4/2002. Hope Hill. Medium. Leaders: George, Ria L, Elaine.
4. 13/6/2001. Hope Hill. Medium. Leaders: Myrie and Doug, Audrey K
3. 11/4/2001. Hope Hill. Leaders: Les and Margaret, Bev H.
2. 27/3/1996. Hope Hill. Medium. Leaders: Margaret and Les, Bill H, Lesley S.
1. 7/7/1993. Hope Hill. Easy+. Leaders: Les and Margaret, Ivan and Bev.
Outram Glen Track to Lee Stream
No. 89 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Outram Glen – Lee Stream Year Round”
Outram, Allanton, Floodbanks, Lee Stream, Traquair, Whare Creek – Information and Trips Library
15. 25/01/23 Hikers Outram Glen to Confluence. Grade 2 Leaders: Eleanore and Judy
On a clear still day at 9:15am, 23 of us met at the start of track carpark ready to hike the river track to the meeting of the waters where Lee Stream flows into the Taieri.
For some this was a new hike and a revisit for others.
After a pleasant half hour walk we arrived at the river beach for smoko, knowing we had a solid climb up through the well placed rock steps for quarter of an hour.
Some parts of track were damaged a few years ago by washout flood damage therefore, maintained as a route standard only with care required. After we climbed the well-placed rock/wood steps, it was then a long traverse above the Taieri River for just over an hour and a half—often stopping for a breather. It was good to see the unusual crop of potatoes amongst the grass knowing we had arrived at the Confluence.
After a leisurely 40-minute lunch and toilet stop, we returned down the track, also stopping often to walk as a group. Trip back was 15 minutes quicker than trip up. We walked 9km altogether.
Coffee and cake were shared at Topiary (Wal’s) Cafe by most of us, Trampers arriving back to join in after their Hope Hill outing.
Outram Glen is a great bush walk, close to home. Care needed after rain. Today track very dry with blue sky and about 23 degrees. Thanks to Judy D. for her caring role as my Tail Ender. Hopefully, you all enjoyed the day as much as I did.
Eleanore
14. 01/12/21 Trampers. Outram Glen to Lee Stream. Leaders: Sarah McCormack and Pam Cocks
After a change of tramp due to drizzly conditions forecast for the day at Swampy, 8 trampers set out from Outram Glen Scenic Reserve following the Taieri River to the Lee Stream convergence.
We stopped for morning tea beside the river just before the climb up the hill.
The day was starting to warm up a bit with a few of us over dressed as we were expecting it to be cold. Barbara showed off her stone skipping skills that she learnt at a young age and obviously still practices to maintain a high skill level The track was dry and would have been slippery if there had been any rain.
We made good time after morning tea and arrived at the Lee Stream convergence by 11:15 so a bit early for lunch.
While checking out the scenery and having a natter the wind decided it was going to come up. The wind was coming straight out of the Lee Stream valley and had a definite chill to it, so we decided to make our way back and find a lunch spot along the way.
Lunch spot was found with convenient stone seats and some also had tables. After a leisurely lunch we meandered back to the cars stopping to check out the plentiful fantails and another show of stone skipping.
We finished the day with coffee at the Wobbly Goat after covering just under 10km.
13. 15/7/2020. Trampers. Outram Glen. Leaders : Joy and Kathryn
18 keen trampers arrived fully kitted out for an easy but in some places slippery tramp up to the Lee Stream.
This is a favourite hike with the odd little challenge of fallen trees or wash outs adding some variety.
After several days of damp weather the river was running higher than normal and the rapids could be heard above the chatter of the group.
Gordon challenged us all to count the number of drainage pipes on the return trip. Seven, I believe was the winning number.
Another perfect Wednesday outing with a great group of people finished perfectly with a cuppa at the Wobbly Goat.
12. 29/1/2020. Hikers. Outram Glen M. Leaders Kathryn and Nikki
16 hikers and 5 Ramblers met at Outram Glen with the ramblers going off on their own walk.
Hikers had an enjoyable walk around the track stopping for morning tea down at the river before climbing the stairs to take u5s to the Lee.
We were thankful of the overhead cover as it was another hot day.
The track was challenging in parts for some. Everyone handled it considering overnight rain had made some of the rocks quite slippery and with heavy rain last year washing out a piece of the track and branch of a tree over another part.
We all were ready to stop for our lunch at the Lee which was lovely, before making our way back down to the Glen.
We walked 10k and I think everyone was ready for a drink at the Wobbly Goat.
Kathryn and Nikki.
11. 18/4/2018. Hikers. Outram Glen to Lee Stream. H. Leaders: Clive and Jim.
26 Hikers and Ramblers set out from Outram Glen scenic reserve alongside the Taieri River to Lee Stream. This was our first visit since the storm last year caused a lot of damage to the track and trail. Repairs are on going, apparent from the pile of gravel on the track and washouts still to be repaired on the trail. Several trees still block the trail.
We arrived at the end of the track about 10.15am and had morning tea on the rock strewn beach beside the river.
Several ramblers and a couple of the hikers then turned back to the start. An intrepid 19 hikers continued over the trail, followed by fantails and tom tits to Lee Stream. There seemed to be more hills to climb and they seemed steeper. Maybe that’s an age thing!
Arriving at Lee Stream around lunch time we picked spots out of the wind to have lunch.
It was pointed out by a senior hiker that we hadn’t actually reached Lee Stream and should continue to the stream. Walking a further 100 meters got us there. (see photo)
The return journey took longer than normal and unfortunately one member suffered a wound to her calf muscle on a broken bush stump whilst trying to cross a washout.
A tired crew arrived back at the carpark after 3.30pm. It was intended to visit a local coffee shop, but when we got there it was closing,.so 2 cups of coffee next time! Happy Tramping. – Clive
10. 9/11/2006. Hikers. Outram Glen to Lee Stream. Leaders: Jennifer and Dorothy S.
9. 10/8/2016. Hikers. Outram, Historical Park and Museum, Outram Glen. E. Leaders: Alex and Liz.
A good frost today but lovely and sunny for our hike around Outram
which was varied with a visit to the Museum,
Vintage Park and then onto the Glen track.
We numbered 25 and finished off with the Local Coffee Shop.
It was a wee bit different owing to the unknown conditions from the nasty weather three days earlier but as usual the company was good and we achieved our goals thanks to everybody. – Liz and Alex.
8. 26/3/2014. Hikers. Taieri Musem, Outram Glen Track to Lee Stream. Leaders: Jim and Betty.
We were met with a surprise variation to simply walking the Outram Glen track. The leaders took us first up to the Taieri Historical Museum via an interesting side track shortly up the George King Memorial Drive by the bridge over Traquair/Whare Creek. We were seduced by the machinery museum building at the top of the property with its wonderful variety of early Taieri farming implements. They found it hard to drag us away.
We made our way down the driveway this time, and past a surprising number of cars to the track beginning. Time had passed so the leaders made our cuppa stop at the crest of the track’s large rise just past the entrance and in a nice sunny spot.
Then on we went till we reached the great set of steps that took us up from the river side to the high undulating bush track, or more officially, ‘route’. From the top of the steps on to the end of the route was a long series of regrouping pauses, where the more able waited for the less able to catch up. But get to the end we did.
A note to the side: On our way to the start of the track, we noticed Bob’s ute had joined our parked cars while we were up at the Museum. Some knew that he did have a prior commitment and must have presumed he would have caught up with us somewhere on the track but knew nothing of the leaders’ plan to visit the museum first. Eventually we did meet him, towards the end of the track, returning. It was all just too sad a misunderstanding.
We discovered the reason for the group of cars at the start when we reached the end. By the Lee Stream mouth was a large group of young St Mary’s School pupils being instructed on safety measures pertaining to launching inflatable rafts drawn up nearby.
There were eight rafts in all, four setting out at a time to practise the art of paddling in the stiller waters upstream before heading off down over the first set of rapids below.
By this time we had finished our lunch and just prior to entering the bush track again, were surprised again to see the rafts anchored against a cliff on the opposite side of the river, and each pupil being required to leap off a ledge in the cliff into the water, resurface, and to drift with their life jackets down to and be helped back into their rafts immediately downstream. They did this wonderfully, some choosing a yet higher ledge to leap from. Bravo.
We seemed to make much faster return time down the track than when earlier coming up, and were regaled from time to time by excited shouts and screams below us as the rafters made their way downriver.
As we neared the end, it was just a case of now of negotiating the rise at whose summit we had earlier in the day had our cuppa, (it’s steeper and more laborious on the up-track side of the rise and this reporter, at the tired end of the tramp, hates it) and we were back at the cars and en route to home.
Thanks to Betty and Jim for their imaginative planning of the day and careful looking after us. – Ian.
As we neared the end, it was just a case of now of negotiating the rise at whose summit we had earlier in the day had our cuppa, (it’s steeper and more laborious on the up-track side of the rise and this reporter, at the tired end of the tramp, hates it) and we were back at the cars and en route to home.
Thanks to Betty and Jim for their imaginative planning of the day and careful looking after us. – Ian.
7. 5/10/2011. Both. Outram Glen, Lee Stream. Leader: George.
Lambing got in the way of the programmed Lee Stream ramble. The Outram Glen walk was a most successful replacement. 20 of us went. The first bit’s nice and flat in general. We stopped early for morning tea by the river. A cold wind drove us back up to shelter in the approach track.
Beyond the sign indicating the more difficult part of the track was the (never less) challenging (never-ending as well) set of steps. They are now well-worn but still very serviceable. We all made the ascent at our individual rates of speed. Beyond that, the various ups and downs are still well serviced by the sets of stone steps. They have stood the test of time and are firmly embedded. Well made. We all made our way to the Lee Stream confluence with the Taieri, some arriving earlier, others later. Again an early lunch enjoyed with the warmth of sun and calm, and cooler bits of breeze. But still comfortable enough.
Again, we wandered back each at our own pace. A pleasant day, sheltered by bush from the coolish wind. – Ian.
6. 3/9/2008. Both. Outram Glen, Lee Stream. Easy. Leaders: Evelyn and Bob.
Nineteen of us walked the riverwalk from Outram Glen to Lee Stream. The weather was threatening but we had just a little rain, and with no wind and a mild temperature it was an enjoyable 12 kilometre expedition. Many of us had not seen the Taieri River so brown and surging for a long time.
The track in the upper reaches was quite slippery so we needed to watch our feet. Some birdsong from bellbird and fantail was appreciated as was the presence of wood pigeons. We had lunch at Lee Stream where a number could remember past picnics beneath willow trees.
Congratulations to Evelyn and Bob for leading the group. Evelyn did a stalwart job in trying to keep the group together, trying to both race ahead to hold back the fast movers and take care to see the rear guard were still with us. She even managed to end up with one more tramper at the finish than she had at the start. Well done Evelyn!
Bob provided us with some drama by taking a tumble. However he bounced back and even did it again to keep the medics on their toes. He finished the tramp in fine fettle and good humour, leading the bulk of the group on the homeward stretch. We hope the scratches and bruises do not cause too much discomfort.
George celebrated his 80th birthday and first great grandchild by handing out beautiful chocolates to all.
Altogether it was a satisfying day with a return to home base before the southerly caught up with us. – Marjorie.
5. 6/6/2007 Ian, Doug M, Eleanor B, Joyce S
4. 3/5/2006. Both. Outram Glen. Leaders: Ian, Doug, Les & Margaret S, Bev H
3. 9/2/2005. Both. Outram Glen. Leader: Nancy
2. 19/8/1998. Outram Bridge, Taieri Gorge. Leaders: Nelson and Dot.
1. 25/3/1992. Outram Bridge – Taieri Gorge. Average. Leaders: Ria L, Catherine, Doreen, Molly
Maps – Ship At Anchor
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dd/mm/yyyy. Trip Name. Grade X. Trampers or Hikers or Combined. Leaders: Name and Name.
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Spiers Road, Davies, McGouns Creek Extension
Click Ben Rudd Article for background information.
Click Pineapple and Flagstaff walk for background information.
Antony Hamel in his Dunedin Tracks and Trails book has interesting information on the “Snowy Mountain Track” under his Spiers Road entry.
4. Eastern Flagstaff. Trampers. Grade 4.5. $5. 15km. Leaders Ross Davies and Gwenda Farquharson
(Redwoods bike tracks – Old Pineapple Track – No track – Davies Track – Flagstaff Walkway – Spiers Road Track – street walk)
17 of us met up in Wakari Road at the carpark for the Redwoods bike tracks on a cloudy morning and headed off into the maze at 9.20am. It’s a lovely meander through the very tall trees. We emerged at the Booth Road end of the Pineapple track and took the track up to the water treatment plant.
We had morning tea there a little after 10am on the uphill side before heading into the bush behind the plant. This was the entrance to the original Pineapple Track which was replaced by the current one in the late 1970s. Within a few minutes on a faint unmarked trail we crossed the McGouns Track and kept on straight up. The track is reasonably obvious. It was a bit greasy in places but is a nice contrast with the new track.
We emerged into the open area beside the new Pineapple Track but didn’t head over to Pineapple Point viewpoint as we’d been enveloped in cloud by then.
Instead we retreated a little way back down the way we’d come before heading south through the bush, contouring around to the middle part of the Davies Track. There’s a slight ground trail, and some markers, probably noting trapping lines. Plus lovely big Totara trees and impressive cabbage trees. Towards the Davies Track there are blue triangle markers for another trap line and this leads on to the Davies Track about halfway up. We had a look at the alligator swamp but they were all hiding.
The upper part of the track was fairly muddy and slippery. Eventually we emerged from the bush, just below the cloud. After the fire a few years ago, the flax and gorse and grass are growing back, and it was saturated. With nowhere dry to stop, we carried on up to the Flagstaff Walkway and then a few more minutes towards the top where we found a sheltered dry spot beside the track for lunch, at about 12.45pm.
After lunch we zoomed across the summit, then down a little way towards the Bullring. You have to keep your eyes out for the Spiers Road track branching off to the left, over the ridge and then plunging down towards Halfway Bush.
After the light rain of the night before the track needing a bit of care.
This was the route of the Snowy Mountain Road, the first overland route out of the new Dunedin to the north, over Flagstaff, over Swampy, over Hightop, and on north to Johnny Jones’ Cherry Farm at Waikouaiti via what is now the Mountain Road forestry road.
Further down we passed Ben Rudd’s stone wall, and then the site of a plane crash in 1943 which everyone survived, including the plane! From the bottom of Spiers Road it was a 30-minute street walk back to the cars, checking out the houses and gardens along the way. Most repaired to Coffee Culture in the olde Roslyn fire station for the de-brief.
Thanks Gwenda for helping out, and to everyone for sharing in another happy adventure.
Ross
Tramp details: Distance – 13 kms; height gain – 730 m; moving time – 3.75-4 hrs; elapsed time – 6.25 hrs.
Discussion afterwards agreed 4 or 4.5 for grade and I’m comfortable with 4.5 because of the extra height gain and the proportion of rough track involved.
Continue reading “Spiers Road, Davies, McGouns Creek Extension”
Silverstream Water-Race, Racemans, Top Weir
No. 40 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Silverstream Weir. Racemans. Winefields. Year Round”
No. 107 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Whare Flat – Silverstream Weir Year Round “
No. 107 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Whare Flat – Silverstream Weir Year Round “
20. 11/01/2023. Racemans Circuit, Trampers. Grade 4 (regraded 3 – see below). Leaders: Neil Hodgkin, Julie MacKenzie.
Trampers: 10 women, 4 men
Weather: Low cloud, drizzly, calm, 16 degrees
Track: 14 kms, 3.5 hours walking and 170 m height gain.
A good, mainly flat walking surface, the odd muddy patch, and sometimes short, sharp, steep, descents/ascents in and out of side creeks.
Several crossings of the Silverstream and even though the flow was low, care was needed and poles were helpful with slippery and unstable rocks.
As a first up tramp for 2023 it was great and a very suitable tramp for the weather conditions. In the bush there was no precipitation and no wind. We had the usual stop for smoke-o …
…and got to the weir about midday…
…but decided to move on down the track for lunch where it was less noisy.
On our return I as leader came face to face with six barking and not so friendly dogs who were eventually followed by a female runner who didn’t seem to worry. She said that the dogs were barking because we had sticks, but I didn’t believe her. What goes up must come down so we were expecting their return and when we heard them approaching we all stood off the track, sticks by our sides and gave them a TRTC guard of honour!
Grading: The grade of this tramp is solely dependent on the flow and depth of the Silverstream. The way it was on Wednesday, I’d put it at 2.5 – 3, but with more water it would certainly be a 3 -3.5 I think.
Neil.
Continue reading “Silverstream Water-Race, Racemans, Top Weir”
Whare Flat – Information and Trips Library
Background Information:
Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
Whare Flat School (history)
Links to tramps and hikes to the same area:
26/06/2024. Whare Flat. Hikers. Grade 2.5. 11km. Leaders: Bruce Spittle, Adrienne Ensor.
Tramps Associated with the Whare Flat Schoolhouse. (1995 – 2017, 4 trips, only 2 reports).
Waiora Scout Camp (2007 – 2020, 3 trips all with reports). Continue reading “Whare Flat – Information and Trips Library”
Government Track, Kowhai Spur, Mill Creek – Information and Trips Library
Background Information:
Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
2.5+ hours from road to Pole-line and Styx Road.
DCC – Government Track map – see image below.
DCC: Mountain biking on Government Track
[DCC brochure extract: Government Track. 4 hr 30 min, 17 km (return). Continue reading “Government Track, Kowhai Spur, Mill Creek – Information and Trips Library”
McNally’s Walkway, Milton – Information and Trips Library
Scope:
This page covers the Club tramps and hikes to the McNally’s Walkway located in Milton. (map)
Background Information:
Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
The McNally Track was developed by the Milton Rotary in 1980 and is still maintained by them today. The track is clearly marked with marker poles and is suitable for a Combined trip.
How To Get There:
(1) Milton township turn left opposite Presbyterian Church, turn left at Ossian Street and follow on down Moore and Tokoiti Streets to Cemetery near which is the entrance to the McNally Walkway. Park cars by the side of the road.
(2) Turn left off SH1 at the kink in the road onto Springfield Road. Follow Springfield Road to the sawmill and turn right onto Cemetery Road. Turn right onto Cemetery Road and continue to the Cemetery which is the entrance to the McNally walkway
Links to tramps and hikes in this area:
11/09/2024. McNally Walkway. Grade 3. Trampers. Leaders: Graeme Souter & Theresa White.
McNally Walkway. 2023 – 1992, 20 trips with 10 reports.
Millennium Track from Taieri Ferry Rd, Finlayson Rd, Galloway Rd, Bells Farm, Kennedys Farm, Wenita (Morrisons Block) – Information and Trips Library
Scope:
This page covers the Club tramps and hikes in the area South via SH1 and groups together trips to the Millennium Track (Henley end) located on Lower Taieri River commencing on Taieri Ferry Road. (map)
Background Information:
Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
Taieri River Geology for some background information.
Legends of the Lower Taieri includes a section about John Bull if you persist in reading down far enough.
“High tides flood the access road and this has happened to us more than once. N.B. Programme Committee! Avoid high tides forecast near the the hours of 9.00 a.m. or 2.00-3.00 p.m.”
2018 Trampers – Millennium Track, Taieri Ferry Rd. to Taieri Mouth and return – “We walked 18.6 km’s. Similar times of 2 1/4 hours each way. ”
Bell Farm. (2002) Seek access permission. Lambing Aug to Oct. Cars park halfway down Taieri Ferry Road, end of forest. Up hill till lunch time. Wenita permit. Wenita Map.
Galloway Rd – Taieri Ferry Rd tracks, see map below. Seek access permission.
Links to tramps and hikes in the same area:
14/08/2024. Taieri Mouth Excursion. Hikers. Leaders: Bill Cubitt & Alex Griffin.
24/07/2024.Millennium Track return, Henley Start. Trampers. Leaders: Gwenda Farqharson. & Alison K.
Taieri Ferry and Finlayson Roads, Bells Farm, Kennedys, Millenium (1994 – 2023, 18 trips)
Millennium Track (2002 – 2017, 17 trips with 3 reports)
John Bull Gully Track and Millennium – from Henley and Taieri Mouth (1993 – 2016, 17 trips with 6 reports).
Grahams Bush, Organ Pipes, Buttars Peak, Mt Cargill – Information and Trips Library
Scope:
This page of club tramps and hikes in the West Harbour area groups together trips to Grahams Bush,(map) the Organ Pipes, Buttars Peak and Mt Cargill.
Background Information:
Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
Grahams Bush Botanical Information (1988) (from DoC information sheet).
Mt Cargill – Information (from DoC information sheet).
Links to tramps and hikes in the same area:
09/10/2024. Graham’s Bush to Mt Cargill. Trampers. Leaders: Karen McInnes and Gail Williams
Grahams Bush, Old Main Rd, Organ Pipes, Buttars Peak, Mt Cargill, Mt Cutten, Bethunes Gully, Upper Junction (2024 – 1989, 18 trips with 11 reports).
Grahams Bush, Upper Junction, Brickhill Rd (2014 – 1993, 15 trips with 4 reports).
Grahams Bush, Careys Bay (2004, 1 trip, no report).
From Old Mount Cargill Road Lookout (1992, 1 trip, no report)
Concord – Information and Trips Library
Background Information:
Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
See also Tunnel Beach – Information and Trips Archive for Tunnel Beach trips starting at Concord.
Links to tramps and hikes in the same area:
17/07/2024. Concord Creations. Hikers. Leaders: Jan Butcher. & Jenny Finnerty.
Concord Blackhead (1989 – 2015 (4 trips with only 1 report)).
Tunnels, McRaes, Racemans, Top Weir, Powder Creek, Chalkies – Information and Trips Library
Scope:
This page of club tramps and hikes in the Whare Flat area groups together trips within the Silverstream catchment and includes Racemans, Tunnel Gully, Powder Creek and Chalkies. (map)
Background Information:
Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of 3. This is indicative only, as trips can be allocated a higher or lesser grading depending on the route taken. For more detailed analysis refer to Grading Information.
Racemans Track, Weir, Origins.
Whare Flat School and Surrounds History.
Links to tramps and hikes in this area:
14/08/2024. Tunnel Gully, McRaes, Racemans, Powder Creek Detour. Grade 3. Trampers. Leaders: Phil Keene & Gary Mort.
26/06/2024. Whare Flat, Waiora, Schoolhouse, Tunnels Track, McRaes Weir, Racemans. Grade 2.5. Hikers. Leaders: Bruce Spittle, Adrienne Ensor.
Pump House, Tunnels, McRaes Weir, Racemans, Return (2004 – 2020, 10 trips with 6 reports).
Schoolhouse, Tunnels, McRaes Circuit (1989 – 2019, 9 trips with 6 reports).
Silverstream Water-Race, Racemans, Weir (1992 – 2023, 21 trips with 6 reports).
Tramps Associated with the Whare Flat Schoolhouse (1995 – 2017, 5 trips with 3 reports).
School House, Tunnels, McRaes, Steve Amies, Whare Flat Road Return. 2007 (1 trip with report – no photos)
Rain Days – Information and Trips Library
Background Information:
Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
Rain Days trips are the ones that are diverted because of bad weather; either before the day or at the carpark gathering on the day.
Links to rainy days tramps and hikes:
31/07/2024. Mosgiel Ramble. Hikers. Leaders: Ady Whiston, Jenny Finnerty
Ross Creek and Environs (1990-2024 with 34 reports – see 6/10/2021 for rainy day trip))
A cancelled Tramp Day (2018 – 2023 with 2 reports) Continue reading “Rain Days – Information and Trips Library”