Permissions from Mt Gowrie Station, Strathview Station, Calder Station.
13. 20/6/2019.Trampers. Deep Stream Pipeline from SH 87. M. Neil M. and Carol.
A fine but cool day dawned for the 10 trampers to depart for the big bend to start the Deep Stream walk to the East. Now just because it’s called a pipeline doesn’t mean it’s flat. Once the water is in the pipe the line goes up and down continually. In fact going by past reports for the distance we walked we climbed over 700 metres.
We left the cars about on the hour of 10.0 and walked up
Throwing our shadows o’er Jack Frost (Phil pic and caption.
to the top of the first hill on the line in about 20 minutes, so a break was called for coffee and smoko.
M:Tea. Great view. (Gordon pic and caption.)
After that, onwards and what do we find but the first big dip.
Quite a bit of uphill. (Gordon pic and caption.)
From where we had coffee/ tea one could see the track in the distance but not all the gullies we have to go through, which could give one the wrong impression of this walk. Although the day was cool, it did warm up as the hours ticked by. We arrived at the high point in the walk about 12.15pm for lunch where we could see back towards Mosgiel and Saddle Hill. A good view all round.
Now the return trip started about 1/4 to one and we arrived back at the road by 3 o’clock. One noticeable thing about the return trip, there wasn’t as muck talk.
Last steep pinch. Gordon pic and caption.)
Maybe some were getting a little tired. Well, we walked about 16 kms and probably climbed more than 700 m so not a bad effort.
At this stage of the day, coffee calls, so we stopped at Clarks Junction Pub – come cafe, to satisfy these cravings before returning to Mosgiel. – Neil and Carol.
12. 22/6/2016. Trampers. Deep Stream Pipeline from SH 87. M. Leader: Neil M.
10 Trampers left Mosgiel at 9.30 am. It was somewhat cloudy with a very gentle breeze but pleasant conditions.
It was 10.10 am when we left the cars and from there an approximate 30 minute tramp before morning tea.
On a few occasions the pipeline and relief flues surfaced …
Pipeline. (Helen pic and caption.)Looks like a bird to me. (Helen pic and caption.)
… whereby Peter gave us a lesson about hydraulics (water pressure and air bubbles) before disappearing again …
Pipeline and some nice rocks. (Helen pic and caption.)
to wend its way …
Track. Very deceiving as no flat. (Helen pic and caption.)
… through stunning country of craggy rocks, sheep pastures, Deep Stream/Creek and even a lone, healthy hebe.
The many ‘ups’ were balanced out by ‘downs’ and that led us to a 12.30 pm lunch stop …
Group at lunch time. (Helen pic and caption.)
…from where we looked across to the Rock and Pillars on the west and the Kakanui hills to the north.
At 1.00 pm (after squeezing an extra 5 minutes out of our keen-to-get-going leader) we left the well-placed rock tables and seats and headed back by the same route.
Having walked 15 kms in 4 hours moving time and 720m height rise total, we arrived at the cars at 3.00 pm. Huffs and puffs had subsided at this stage and would shortly be replaced by sips and slurps of coffee! – Carole.
11. 13/5/2015. Trampers. Deepstream/creek pipeline where it crosses Hiway 87.
GPS of Deepstream pipeline – North. Courtesy Ken. Walked 16km; 3h 53m moving; 4.1 km/h; climbed 982mtrs [this is probably the most climbing we have done on a day’s tramp so far]; none of the climbs are very long, there are just so many of them.
For the Wednesday tramp, I changed the location, due to the difficulty of contacting the landowners [possibly 5 or 6] of the properties we needed access to. I don’t know why people have phone numbers, if they can’t answer their phones, or reply to messages left on their answer phone. I don’t think I will be putting the Omimi/slaughterhouse tramp back on the program ever again.
So, we went to the Deepstream/creek pipeline where it crosses Hiway 87, & proceeded to walk along the pipeline track towards Mosgiel. There was no set destination here, so it was just walk as far as we wanted to go, then return back the same way.
As there was a cool breeze blowing, we struggled to find a suitably sheltered spot for morning tea break, but eventually found a gully with not much breeze.
1 Morning tea stop. (Ken pic)
Then we ambled along admiring the view into the river below as we went. We found a very nice spot to have lunch in the sun, & almost completely devoid of wind, so it was a reluctant group that packed up their gear, & headed back out again.
This track has lots of up’s & down’s, so is quite a good workout, but I hope the walk was enjoyed by all. – Ken.
10. 18/7/2012. 8 Trampers. Hindon-Deep Stream Pipeline. Half of full distance. Return. Medium.
GPS of route. We walked 13.8km. GPS records level distance only so probably did close to 14.5 or more up and down. Total height climbed: 660 mtrs. max elevation 447 mtrs. Moving ave. 3.7km/hr Moving time 3hr 46min. – Ken (edited)A large ‘thing’ in the only cutting on the pipeline.Panorama of our lunch spot. Pines of homestead on skyline.
9. 9/7/2008. Trampers. Hindon Pipe Line from Highway 87 to Wallaces Ford Road. Easy+. Leaders: Ian, Ria
Permissions from Mt Gowrie Station, Strathview Station, Calder Station.
The pipeline stretches into the distanceAn interesting feature
A better day couldn’t have been provided. We were in the centre of a strong high pressure system that provided clear, sunny skies, a warm calm, and a quiet peacefulness, broken only by a gaggle of garrulous gulls over Deep Stream and the occasional baaing of sheep, while the remains of the snow from earlier in the week defined the lee edges of gullies against green pastures and brown tussock tops, providing us with a glorious panorama (taking in Maungatua, Silver Peaks, Rock and Pillar, Kakanui ranges). Our route was open and easy to follow and the track was broad and grassy. We had interesting man-made features, ie the Deep Stream pipeline, to accompany us.
And we had 14 companions whose enjoyment of the day we could share.
Six at a gate. George, Evelyn, Bruce, Who?, Hazel, Lex
Bliss. Except, that is, that vigorous debate about the means of ferrying ourselves and cars from start-point drop-off at Deep Stream Bridge on Highway 87 to finish-point collection 15km downstream at Wallaces Ford Road took up quite a bit of the ride. Bruce reminded us of the old puzzle about the ferryman who had to transport a fox, a hen and a sack of corn across the river only one at a time not leaving two together when one would be devoured. (We did solve it.) And except for the fact that we were also on a roller-coaster ride. The benched track we were following that was the access road for the construction of the pipeline looked to be horizontal from a distance, but of course, Deep Stream is appropriately named and its contributories have a similar character. So we sang, “And when they’re up they’re up, and when they’re down they’re down, and when they’re only halfway up, there’s still more up and down!” as we crossed the gullies.
Looking back down at the longest and steepest climb out of a gully
But what a feat the pipeline is, bringing water 60km from Lammerlaws to Dunedin, with siphon after siphon traversing the deeply-incised landscape. So we admired the weather, the landscape, the engineering and our good fortune at being able to appreciate it all! Thanks to Ian and Ria, and to Ken who regrettably missed all but the recce. – Bob
8. 27/6/2007. Trampers. Deep Stream Bridge, Middlemarch Rod, Hindon Pipeline. Medium. Leaders: Arthur and Barbara.
No. 1 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Maugatua Microwave. J Roy. Year Round.” Permissions from Horsehoof.
Distance from car-park: 24 km.
29/5/2019. Horsehoof, – Maungatua. M. Arthur.
18 of us set off from Mosgiel and travelled through Outram and turning left off on a road into Horsehoof Station. Clear looking sky and the anticipation of a great day.
Parked up in the paddock, we set off up the first hill. The wind was very cold and strong up there, brass monkeys were the call, and numerous layers the call, jackets and hats also.
We stopped in a sheltered spot for our morning tea. Farm trackended and then it was onto DOC land and tussock.Not much track at all and quite hard going. The odd slip on the terrain.
Making it to the top
Finally the Summit. (Gordon pic and caption.)
where photo shoots were taken.
The new Saddle Hill volcanic crater.(Phil pic and caption.)
Great views but soooo cold and windy. Decided to go back to some shelter in the tussocks for lunch.
Lunch out of the wind. (Gordon pic and caption.)
Back up to the corner of Horsehoof,
Out of the West ( Mahinerangi in background) (Phil pic and caption.)
and with three going back down the start track to look for poor old Dave’s iphone lost on way up, while the rest of us went the longer way.
Two things sprung to mind on this tramp. If you go a different direction you need to let the leader know for safety reasons.
Lunch needs to be finished by everyone before some start on their way.
All in all a great tramp in some windy conditions, travelling 14kms. Refreshments well received
Coffee. (Helen pic and caption.)
with great service at the Wobbly Goat in Outram Helen.😉
MAUNGATUA DEBRIEF
It saddens the leader to have to write these notes, due to the fact that a few of the group completely ignored the club’s Safety Rules up on Maungatua.
The club formulate these safety rules many years ago, which were updated 2-3 years back. All new members are given a copy when they join, and they are on the club’s website. (v. Page 7a.) Everyone should be familiar with them.
There is nothing difficult about these rules, just simple commonsense things (but of course, as they say, common sense isn’t common any more. (A detailed email is going out to all members about this) – Art.
21. 27/2/2019. Maungatua. M. Leader: Gordon.
A Fairy Tale.
Once upon a time 12 happy trampers set out to climb the big mountain of Maungatua. They wanted to get to the top, and were very determined.
But the nasty rain came just as they set out, and the cold wind joined in to make things unpleasant for the 12 happy trampers.
The cloud came down too, to hide the top of the mountain, but that was no deterrent either. Jackets and gloves kept them warm.
Uphill they went, on the good 4WD track, into the cloud and with the wind and rain attacking them.
In time they were high up on the mountain, and stopped to have their morning tea in the slight shelter of a little hut, beside some aerials.
After a brief stop to enjoy their hot cups, discretion was decided upon, and the 12 happy (still) trampers returned back down the mountain to their cars.
But the 12 happy trampers had had a good morning’s exercise, covering more than 6 km and the rain and wind had given a good test to the weatherproofness of their clothing.
Feeling a bit wet and cold, the 12 happy trampers drove back to Mosgiel, returning safely to their homes.
And they all lived happily ever after! – Art.
20. 10/5/2017. Trampers. Maungatua trig via Horsehoof. M. Leader: Arthur.
Clear skies, a light breeze, and lots of sunshine gave perfect conditions for our tramp up onto Maungatua. The cars were left high up beside the farm road on Horsehoof, a group of 13 happy trampers setting out from here on the uphill dozed farm track.
About halfway up morning tea was taken, with stunning views to enjoy at the same time, in the clear air.
Onward and upward, we reached the top boundary of Horsehoof Station, and climbing through the fence were in the DOC reserve which encompasses all of the top of Maungatua. It was then single file through the tussock and turpentine shrubs on the faint track.
We stopped to admire the Big Rock,
The beautiful rock. (Helen pic and caption.)
photos being taken of the group.
The group of 12 plus me. (Helen pic and caption.)
Just as we were preparing to move on a pair of N.Z. falcons flew in and landed on top of Big Rock just above us. They weren’t at all worried by us humans, and it was marvellous to see them there.
In single file we moved on, and eventually came to the summit post at 12 noon – perfect timing for lunch.
From here, on the highest point (895 metres) we could see in all directions – 360 degrees. A huge fog bank right down the coast totally hid the sea and the Otago Peninsula, but the land was in clear view as far as the eye could see. What terrific scenery.
Margreet pic.
Lunch over we began the return journey, which meant retracing our steps. With an occasional brief rest/regroup stop, we were back past Big Rock, through the fence onto Horsehoof again, and down hill with a brief uphill bit to reach the cars.
A group of 13 happy trampers had had a great day, walking a total of 12 km. The perfect weather certainly added to the enjoyment of the day.
But, the tramp finished too soon (obviously too short), as it was necessary to stop in Outram for a while on the way home so that discussion that hadn’t had time to be had during the tramp could be concluded.
The leader was particularly pleased to have such a good turn out of trampers today – thank you to all. – Arthur.
19. 11/1/2017. Hikers. Maungatua Big Rock and Trig via Horsehoof. M. Leaders: George and Ian.
It wasn’t the best tramp to ease into after the relaxing holidays. However the easier programmed Kuri Bush beach walk had not taken the tide times into account. What to do? Something inland. George scouted Saddle Hill (summit not tackled by the Hikers since 2010) and Horsehoof (last done by the Hikers 2011). Relevant property owners for Saddle Hill could not be reached, so Horsehoof and Big Rock then.
Seventeen turned out on the day. A respectable number, given that some members were still on holiday. Admittedly the road entrance to Horsehoof is easily missed, as happened to some on the day, but eventually all the cars arrived and drove on up to park in the high paddock where the FWD track to the top corner of the station starts. At about 690m here, we had already made good inroads on Maungatua’s Big Rock elevation of 880m.
It was still a bit early so we trudged through that first unavoidable gully to merelyregain the cars’ height a kilometre or two further on, finding a bank to sit on for morning tea.
(Clive pic.)
No more gullies now but it was up, steadily up, with frequent regrouping stops to eventually reach the Horsehoof Station’s top corner. At 865m effectively all climbing was behind us. We had gained 225m since leaving the cars. One of us elected to stop here and await the return of the others, and Mollie, who hadn’t wanted to miss the chance of revisiting Horsehoof, was happy to keep her company.
Now it was 15 who scrambled through the fence onto the Maungatua reserve to push on through the tussock and dracophillum (turpentine bush) till we reached a point opposite to the Big Rock.
(Clive pic.)
Here, along with George, ten were happy to make this their destination stop,
(Clive pic.)
while a remaining group of five carried on with an assurance it was only another half hour to the trig. W-e-l-l not exactly. More likely three quarters, as one found the going harder than others. But we got there! Or rather two did.
Made it! 895m.(Ian pic and caption.)
Too bad,the other three had stopped off short of the last rise and lunched. However with the encouragement of the trig returnees (or is it returners?) they were encouraged to push on so that they could say they had made it too. And they did!
On the return we discovered the hypotenuse short-cut that avoids a right angle in the fence and which we had missed on the way in due to overgrowth disguising it at its other end. A shame. It needs a fence indicator.
When we arrived at Big Rock, we discovered the ten others had long since given up waiting for us, and were back waiting for us when we straggled up the last weary slope up to the cars – at least weary for this writer.
So there it is. A good traditional tramp perforce resurrected for the hikers by an unfortunate tidal assesssment. And an enjoyable stop and chat at the Wobbly Goat to finish it off. And roll on the better weather. – Ian.
18. 10/2/2016. Maungatua Summit. Leader: Arthur H.
Horsehoof Station to maungatua peak. GPS of route, courtesy Ken. (Ken pic and caption) 13.2km; 3.7km/h; 3h 33m moving; total ascent 409m; max height 900m
Nine trampers set out in ideal conditions to conquer Maungatua. The day was sunny with some high cloud. The breeze was light all day – westerly, then changing to southerly for a while, and then died away altogether.
We drove in through Horsehoof Station, up the road towards the microwave. A car shuttle was set up by taking one car back 2-3 km, leaving it at the top of the hill above the woolshed.
We took the dozed farm track that winds its way up to the top of Maungatua, stopping for morning tea at a suitable spot.
We reached the top of the track, where the small shed and various aerials are situated, at 10.50 a.m. Climbing over the fence we were then in the DOC Reserve, which covers a large part of Maungatua.
From here there is a faint track heading to the summit, which is some 2.5 km away. This is undulating country.
We soon came to the large tor, and stopped for several minutes to inspect and photograph it.
Side trip to rock tor (Helen pic)
Continuing on along the track, which follows the fence line, we gained the summit a few minutes before 12.00 noon. A black and white painted post now marks the spot, …
“Trig” post with rock placed on top by one of the party. (Helen pic)
… and is visible from a short distance. Sitting down in the tussock, we had a relaxed lunch on the spot. The slight breeze was just a tad cool, we noted.
Lunch at the “trig”
From the summit there is a great 360 degree view, but unfortunately haze in all directions spoiled this somewhat.
Half of the group had a look over the brow, down in the direction of the 3 Kings -which isn’t visible. All of us then picked our way through the rough vegetation, in an easterly direction, to get a better view down on the Taieri Plain and Airport.
Making our way back up to the track, we returned along it to the shed and aerials, and over the fence. A brief stop here, where it was noted the altitude was 865m, compared to the 895m at the summit.
We now walked down a 4WD track through the tussock, following the western spur.
On fence line track well down to the Lee Creek gully showing ‘uphill grunt’ on other side. (Helen pic)
A restful stop was made at the bottom, in the shade of the beech trees at the north branch of Lee Creek. A short uphill grunt gave a “tang” to the end of our tramp, and we were soon back at the “shuttle” car.
All agreed that it had been a good tramp and an enjoyable day. This had been a first time for most.
Seven held a debrief at Outram on the way back home.
Coffee at Outram. (Helen pic)
The tramp distance was 13.2 km. – Arthur H.
29/3/2010. Private. Horsehoof, Maungatua Trig.
GPS of route from car to trig
At the Maungatua Trig (1)
At the Maungatua Trig (2)
17. 4/5/2011. Both. Horsehoof upper paddock to Big Rock. Medium. Leader: George.
George had recceed the programmed McKendry Road tramp and found the mud too squishy and the undergrowth too thick so elected to fall back to Horsehoof Station again.
We took the cars on through several gates to the paddock that gave us a shorter walk up to the paddock corner at the top.
It was a misty day, but at our tea-break the weather cleared to reveal the wind turbines beyond Lake Mahinerangi.
Beyond the fence at the top corner, we went on to negotiate the turpentine shrub (dracophyllum longifolium), tussock and alpine moss to reach the large rock for an early lunch.
A cool westerly wind drove us to shelter in a cleft in the rock’s SW side.
A sheltered lunch spot.
An interesting bank of fog in the west.
The tarn beyond the big rock.
Obviously scientific, an exclosure on the tarn.
After all that, we returned the way we had come back to the cars. A good outing. – Ian.
16. 15/9/2010. Trampers. Horsehoof to Big Rock. Medium. Leader: George.
Walked up the 4WD track that went by the Microwave.
Morning Tea break. George. (Emma pic)
Lunched at the Big Rock.
Keith and George at the Big Rock. (Emma pic)
Returned back down through the Woodside Creek gully.
15. 6/5/2009 Both. Horsehoof Station. Bridge over Woodside Creek, top corner, back down the more regular farm road. Medium. Leaders: Bruce, Wendy.
Many were discouraged by the wet morning start, but 8 of us enjoyed a farm walk on what turned out to be an cold overcast day (which we were well wrapped up against) interspersed by sun at morning tea and lunch. From the regular parking spot, for a change we turned down steeply click to enlarge
Descent to bridge
to cross the Woodside Creek upper tributary nearby
Woodside Creek
and to then climb steeply
Climb ahead
to enjoy a cuppa at the set of rocks a little way up.
Cuppa.
Then to carry on up to the top corner of the station. This was a route the club hasn’t taken for five years and more. We forewent going on to the big rock and tarn through the rather heavy wet dracophyllum we would have had to struggle through, so lunched at the top under the shelter of a bank
Lunch in sun
and returned by the more regular farm track.
Rock and Pillar Range in sunRecycled car bolstering bridge. Wee waterfall behind.
We all enjoyed a good tramping day but regretted there were not more to share the walk with. Bruce stood in for Marjorie who was indisposed on the day. Our thanks to Wendy and Bruce for their leadership. – Ian.
This turned out to be a tramp from Horsehoof Station rather than from the advertised Allendale Farm. So it was simply up by the regular farm road to the Maungatua Trig and back. click to enlarge
Decorated Trig. George, Hazel, Ria, EmmaSaddle Hill from Maungatua
What was different was the wind measuring masts
Mast for measuring wind?
and various markers presumably installed by Trustpower. A breeze pleasantly tempered the heat of the sun and 8 of us enjoyed a tramp in the tussocks and Maungatua top with the George making it easier and shorter by having the two cars parked further up the hill than on previous tramps. – Ian
13. 27/8/2008Trampers. Horsehoof Station Upland road-walk Leaders: Ian, Ken
Winter conditions decreed a firmer road walk in place of the anticipated soggy ground we would have encountered at the Flagstaff big rock. So it was Horsehoof Station for a look at the fast disappearing snow conditions. click to enlarge
Drift snow remains. Ken
Seven of us set off from our cars parked down at the shearing shed and walked steeply up in the general Maungatua direction. It was a good walk in the fresh air with general sunny conditions turning to threatening clouds later. The breeze was fresh but sheltering in the lee of a gully made for a comfortable morning tea.
Lunch was on the sheltered side of the repeater station,
Emma and Glenys approaching the Microwave. George ahead.
reached by cutting across a couple of wet gullies swollen with fresh snow runoff.
The return. Bill, Pat, Emma
A shorter day but the sun was out most of the time and the views and company were good. – Ian
The return. Bill, Glenys, Emma.
12. 18/6/2003 Horsehoof Station walk. Leaders: Shirley M, Bill & Pat.
Lex, Doug J, Arthur, Doug M
Snow on NE Maungatuas
11. 16/2/2005. Both. Maungatua with Summit option. Leaders: Val and Brian, Arthur and Barbara.
10. 18/9/2002. Microwave – Maungatua Summit. Medium. Leaders: Ria L, Barbara and Arthur.
9. 21/11/2001. Maungatuas Summit from Microwave. Medium. Leaders: Les W, Mary M, Shirley R.
2. 17/4/2019. Hikers. Edgar Centre to Rotary Park, return. E. Shona and Jill D.
28 hikers assembled at the Edgar Centre, before walking along Portsmouth Drive to Bayfield Park stopping en route to admire the memorial stone “RONGO”.
We enjoyed an early morning tea on the seats at the park, then continued to the bus
stops (some keen souls had continued to the stop further up the street) and
caught the bus to Shiel Hill terminus.
We continued walking up to Rotary Park, through the pine trees there and down the reserve track to Harbour Heights, missing our planned stop as it was too early for lunch, which we took further down Larnach Rd in the sun at the local school playground.
After lunch, we continued down to Shandon St, before turning and walking down
the Arthur’s Walk steps to reach Portobello Rd to follow the harbourside walkway back to the cars and continuing the early theme of the day, having an early coffee at Nichols. Distance 6.7kms. – Shona Jill
1. 16/8/2017. Hikers. Edgar Centre to Rotary Park, return. E. Leaders: Judy and Adrienne.
(Adrienne pic.)(Adrienne pic)
26 hikers met at the Edgar Centre carpark in clear sunshine after a frosty start to the morning. We walked along Portsmouth Drive a short way to the Bayfield sports fields for a leisurely morning tea on the comfortable seats in front of the pavilion.
From there it was another short leg to the bus stop at the bottom of Silverton Street, where we boarded the bus for the ride up to the Shiel Hill terminal. Another short walk took us further up the hill and across the road into Rotary Park for an early lunch. A lazy breeze found us well spread out, seeking sunshine and shelter – hard to find both. The views of the city and harbour are magnificent from this park.
Soon we were joined by Les and Margaret, with welcome birthday chocolates – thankyou! It was good to see Les up and about again after a bout of pneumonia.
Unfortunately it was a bit too cool for the proposed lengthy lunch and sunbathe, so by midday we were off again for the walk down the hill, via McKerrow St, Larnach Rd and Shandon Rd to the top of Arthurs Walk. With knees creaking a bit we descended the many steps down to Portobello Rd, and so back to the cars, and coffee at Nichols. – Judy and Adrienne.
13 Trampers did a circuit today, on tracks that have been kept clear in recent years by volunteers from the Club.
The circuit was as follows – up the full length of Swine Spur Track, which took us high up on Swampy, right along the road, down Porkies Track, left on Possum Busters, right onto Smithys Track, and then down Steep Track to Lake Whare, finishing with a short road walk back to the cars.
The day was overcast and cool.
Heading up Swine Spur tr. (Gordon pic and caption.)
Morning tea was taken almost at the top of Swine Spur, after the hard climbing was done, …
Moving on after morning tea. (Gordon pic and caption.)At the top of Swampy. (Helen pic and caption.)
… and with a good view.
As we started down Porkies
Walking down before the rain started. (Helen pic and caption.)
low cloud began coming in from the city side over the ridge and on Flagstaff.
Crossing one of numerous creeks on way home. (Gordon pic and caption.)
The day was deteriorating now, and light rain began to fall at 12 noon (the forecasters were spot on).
A little later we stopped to have our lunch, but the tree canopy was leaking on us – and they the sky opened with heavy rain falling.
Quickly packing up we moved, and to save time took the shortest way by going down Steep Track (well named).
Being in he lead I couldn’t see back, but from the squeals, and other expressions of glee from behind, it was obvious that all were enjoying the descent as they swung from tree to tree!
We were soon down, and then visited Lake Whare, as the rain was mostly past now.
Distance for the day was about 8.5 Km. Back to Mosgiel, where thoughts of a hot shower was much more inviting than stopping for coffee, but it had been a good day out. – Art.
7. 8/11/2017. Trampers. Swine Spur. M. Leader: Dave.
Last Wednesday’s tramp could have been called a number of names and probably was!!
(a) Swine spur – was it the pig rooting or the steepness of the trail in a gale?
(b) A walk on snow in wintery gale conditions in November or
(c) How many differently named tracks can you do in a day?
Ten keen trampers’ left the car park having some idea what the weather might be like for the day ahead. We parked in Rollinson’s road just below the bridge adjacent to the entrance into the bush with the sign ‘swine spur’. The bushes and trees were wet from the rain the night before. It was pleasant walking through the Kanuka with lots of clematis flowering. However it wasn’t long before the colour of the track resembled the colour of the clematis! SNOW WHITE!!
Started off in snow.!! (Helen pic and caption.)
As we wandered up the track the snow got thicker and the wind got stronger. We decided to have morning tea in the last bit of shelter before the track upwards became exposed. The wind was very strong – we could just stand up! Keeping together we supported each other, through flax and dracophylum, up to the top to the green building on Swampy. The wind was so strong that there was little shelter even behind the building.
A very short break and then we followed down ‘swampy ridge road’ until we reached ‘Porkys track’ – this faced into the gale. We slipped and slid where the snow lay on the grass. Gradually we headed down to where the shrubs became trees. After a while we came to a track junction and then followed ‘possum busters track’. There were a number of creeks, full of water, from the rain the night before. To cross – you had to get wet again!
Tricky creek crossings. (Helen pic and caption.)
A welcome lunch was had amongst the trees in the shelter.
It was then on to the junction with ‘smithies track’ which we followed for a while through attractive natives. ‘Whare Loop track’ was then followed to Whare lake.
The group at Lake Whare. (Helen pic and caption.)
At this spot the Maoris of the past used to soak the flax in the lake – later making both twine and linen. See Flax in New Zealand – Wikipedia. The remains of a stone house were inspected before completing the loop and out onto the road where the cars awaited. A distance of approximately 10.2 km was covered.
The group decided to go for a well, deserved coffee at a usual coffee shop but alas the power was off, probably because of the winds. We soon found another where we recounted our adventure which was enjoyed by all.
Many thanks to Neil M and Arthur for the track clearing they have done, this was very evident. Others have volunteered to help them.
Swine Spur route done. Red indicates the heavy Swine Spur work, yellow the faster road work!
At the car park, the trampers lacked a leader knowledgeable of the Swine Spur track programmed for the day, so this hiker was dragooned into going with them, with his traitorous act objected to strongly by one of the hikers (who shall considerately remain nameless) with his friendly invitation for the writer to never go with the hikers again.
A careful inspection of the access road roadside eventually elicited the heavily grassed over entrance to the Possum Busters track. We made it through Manuka-Kanuka wood and the two steep guts of Mckenzie Creek and the other unnamed one, to stop for the cuppa at the traditional stop at the intersection of Possum Busters and Swine Spur tracks.
Then we turned left up the Swine Spur through the easily graduated track that was to inevitably bring us to the foot of the near vertical strenuous climb to Swampy Ridge roadway.
A word of appreciation here of the sterling track clearing from the route of all the impedimenta the once-in-a-life-time wet snow storm of last August brought down across it. Bravo, you track clearers! It was obviously a massive job.
Anyway, we reached the small concrete-block aerial navigation building sitting there at the top and turned left along the road to pass the Airways Corporation combined VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Radio) and DME (Distance Measuring Equipment – where’s an easier name?) setup to head down the access road. We forewent going on through Swampy to Hightop, as had been programmed, indulging in an easier day instead. (A concession to the hiker, the writer suspects.)
Well, that was to be just a boring road walk back to the cars, but most pleasantly interrupted with a lunch stop at the 0ld-trampers’ picnic area at the head of the Steve Amies track. With all the time in the world, we just lazed there around the tables before eventually deciding to head back out and down to the cars. We arrived back at the car park BEFORE the hikers! One for the record book? – Ian.
Navmap of tramp, courtesy Ken. Rollinsons Track at top, part of it hidden on slope behind Swampy Ridge
Ria and Hazel led us into the start of Possum Busters from off Rollinsons Road. The two deep gullies were still there, but with the steep banks provided with wonderful sets of steps. Bravo, track-clearers. We stopped for a tea-break at the Swine Spur junction, wishing we had the tools to re-attach Les Murcott’s track signs to the remaining-standing manuka trunk. Then it was up the gentle incline of the Swine Spur track before it steeply climbed onto the actual Swine Spur.
Snow on track near top of slope of Swine Spur.
We were delighted to find the last bit onto the Spur was now a well-defined route, replacing the half-dozen or so attempts through the over-grown area. Reaching the top, we stopped for a brief shelter from some cold wind.
Sheltering from wind at building at top of Swine Spur.
Then it was along the road to Swampy Summit.
Snow on Swampy Summit
The Swampy Summit Track beyond the summit led us down through slippery frozen snow and on to our next turn-off. The Rollinsons Track was well-indicated and its route well-defined with copious track markers. Another good change from a time when it was really hard to detect parts of the track. Again, thanks to some excellent recent work by some good people, added to by our leaders on their recce.
Lunch scene. Foreground: track marker on bush, background: left to right, Pulpit rock, Silver Peaks No. 2, Rocky Ridge, The Gap.
The track kept high on the slope, avoiding the wetter parts of Swampy.
Tarn at heart of Swampy
The track wound its way back up and out of Swampy to join with the Rain Gauge track. Again, the track sign had been clearly renamed “Rollinsons” instead of the “Swampy Tarns” sign that had been put over the old faded sign. Then it was just out to Rollinsons Road at the hairpin bend and on down to the cars.
Thanks to Ria and Hazel for this lovely tramp over the whole Rollinsons again – a replacement for the trip into Jubilee Hut that had been thoughtlessly scheduled for during lambing. – Ian.
4. 15/3/2006. Trampers. Rollinson, Burns, Swine Spur. Medium+. Leaders: Doug J, Ian, Shirley. 3. 30/4/2003. Both. Access Road, Rollinson Track, Swampy Saddle, Swine Spur Track. Medium+. Leaders: Ria, Bill and Pat, Denise, Anne R. 2. 19/9/2001. From Access Road, Rollinsons Track, Swampy Saddle, Swine Spur Track. Medium. Leaders: Ria L, Doug and Myrie, Joyce. 1. 6/7/1989. Frozen Tarn on Swampy.
Frozen Tarn on Swampy. Alison Kerr, Jean Allen, Ria Hakkart, Mary Young, Leis de Yong in foreground. (Ian pic, scanned from Peg Chisholm photo collection.)
2. 20/3/2019. Trampers. Thornicroft Station. Leader: Jill R and Sue.
Starting steep climb to Wind Turbines. (Gordon pic and caption.)Heading to num.2 for lunch. (Gordon pic and caption.)Lunch. (Gordon pic and caption.)Sub station. (Helen pic and caption.)Weir. (Helen pic and caption.)
1. 12/10/2011. Both. Mahinerangi Wind Farm. Leaders L Smith, N Buckley
Background.
The Deep Creek Water Scheme was built during the depression of the 30s.
The Pipeline is 58 years old and 64 km long.
The intake is 675m above sea level.
The catchment is 5420 hectares; mainly tussock with some grassland.
The steel pipeline, lined with bitumen, was in a bad state of repair by the 80s and the leaks were constantly plugged with tapered wooden plugs until it resembled a porcupine.
The authorities were eventually persuaded to renew the worst section, this being done with the aid of a helicopter in 1992. It is a useful supplement to Dunedin’s water supply.
The Pipeline is made of bitumen-lined steel excepting the first 1.4 km which was replaced in 1992 with concrete pipes.
Water quality is variable and often discoloured.
Over the 58 years the yield has dropped from 11,000 cubic metres to 6,800 cubic metres a day.
The water goes to Booth Road Treatment Station and Sullivans Dam.
Replacing the rest of the pipeline is estimated at $20,000,000 and would increase the flow to 17,000 cubic metres a day.
– From a hand-written record in the President’s file and supplemented with other data.
3. 13/2/2019. Trampers. Mountain Road to the Silverstream. Hard. Bus. Leaders: Arthur and Eleanor.
The sun was shining brightly in a clear blue sky as Bob the Busman (no, not Bob the Builder) transported 16 eager Trampers to Mountain Road for the day’s adventure.
The tramp started at 9.35 a.m., with the first objective being Pulpit Rock.
Afters 30 minutes, morning tea was partaken of trackside – in the shade, as the heat was building.
A brief rest stop was taken at Green Hut (site), and then again, briefly, after the short stiff climb just after.
Past Green Hill, and then up the steep climb towards Pulpit Rock. Puffs of a lovely cool nor-east breeze were very welcome assistance here, although the group got well spread out anyway.
Heading to Pulpit rock – Steep. (Gordon pic and caption.)Not long now. (Gordon pic and caption.)
Eventually we made it to the top, several going to the summit of Pulpit Rock (760 metres – we had started the day at 400 metres.)
The few who conqured the Rock. (Gordon pic and caption.)
The others were content to wait and rest on the track below, and all had earned a good rest.
The group before starting down Long Ridge track. (Gordon pic and caption.)
At 11.55 a.m. we began the descent down onto Long Ridge. Altitude is lost quickly at first, and the track had been well cleared here.
The walk down Long Ridge was most enjoyable, although it was through knee high grass mostly. The lunch stop was called at 12.30, when a suitable shady spot was found. A very enjoyable half hour was spent here.
At 1.25 we had climbed up off Long Ridge onto the highest knob of Powder Ridge (586 metres) and taken a last view of the Pulpit. The cloud was building now on the windward side of the Silverpeaks and Swampy, with its pleasant cooling breeze accompanying us.
The final leg of our tramp was now down Powder Ridge, and a new rope was a great assistance going down the first brief steep bit.
The track undulates, always trending down, but with some brief climbs up a knob before descending once more. It is a beautiful track, and the N.E. breeze was filtering through the trees to help cool us.
Rest and regrouping stops were made at 2pm and 3pm. It is a long way down Powder Ridge, but the time eventually came for the final steeper descent to the bottom of the track.
Easy going now, we crossed the Silverstream at the old weir,
The last obstacle. (Gordon pic and caption.)
and onward, arriving at the car park at 4.20 – tramp complete (at 100 metres altitude). The distance metres stated 19 km -what a great effort by the group. Congratulations to all for completing it.
A special tramp indeed!
And thanks to Eleanore for helping organise the day so ably. And also to Gordon, Dave, Alan, and Art. for getting up early to position the cars at the Pumphouse, so that we could all return to Mosgiel.
What a great day it was.
Thanks to all the group. – Art.
2. 15/10/2003. Trampers. Semple Road to Whare Flat. Hard. Shuttle. Leaders: Lex, Wendy J, Evelyn C.
1. 25/2/1998. Semple Road to Pulpit Rock, Long Ridge, Whare Flat. Bus fare to be arranged. Leaders: Jack R, Nelson, Claude.
12/11/2018. Hollyford Camp. M. Phil. Trampers: 12-16 Nov: Hollyford Camp. M. Phil.
Hollyford Escapades:12-16 November 2018
Planning to execution seemed to go very well as everyone was at Waihola early….. this being a trait that continued for every start during the week.
18 intrepid walkers in 6 cars set off and bang on time arrived at Cocoa’s Café at Mandeville airport for a necessary kick start to getting to Te Anau reasonably refreshed.First stop was at the DOC I-site to get hut tickets and check the weather, then it was food and petrol top-ups plus a visit to the best public loos in the world for most – albeit some of us had to go back to the car to get the entry gold coin!
The clearing weather meant the drive up through Te Anau Downs and the Eglinton Valley was pretty well up to the Mercedes car advert standard, then after a brief stop at Knobs Flat we arrived at The Divide.With clear tops on the Livingstone Range, it was decided to attack Key Summit,
At the Divide about to head up Key Summit . (Gordon pic and caption.)
initially via the Routeburn/Greenstone track, before branching off on the zig zags to the Summit and, for some, beyond the well known tourist look out.The group split into 3 as each limit was reached; lovely views of Lake Marian, the Darrans, the Hollyford and also the Greenstone Caples were in view and appreciated.
On Key Summit looking to the Greenstone: McKellar Saddle ( and Caples). (Phil pic and caption.)
We finally descended in good time and once back in the cars, moved into the Hollyford proper.Turning right into the Lower Hollyford Rd we stopped, read and discussed the memorial to Davey Gunn that celebrated his 56 mile journey over bush tracks from Big Bay to the Milford Rd in 23 hours to raise support for the injured in a plane crash there.What the books don’t say is Davey had a cuppa then returned to Big Bay to carry on his guided trip… he had also cracked some ribs getting plane passengers from the crash in the surf….
Finally we arrived at Gunn’s Camp and settled in to our ‘little huts on the Prairie’…… followed by good craic and a variety of well cooked dinners.
We were at the Lake Marian track ahead of time on the Tuesday morning, everyone keen to get going.Crossing the Hollyford River involved the first swing bridge for the week, then some time was taken on the Gantries overlooking the tumbling waters of Marian Creek;
Marian Creek cascading. (Phil pic and caption.)
from there it was a steady 2 hour walk up to the Lake, to be greeted by emerald clear water and towering peaks,
Lake Marian in all her glory. ( Phil pic and caption.)
capped off by some loud avalanches at the top of the valley (they resembled large waterfalls).We stayed here for a good 40 minutes enjoying a very special environment, before returning.
It was a sign of the nature of the track that the return time was also 2 hours……
After lunch, having ensured that no-one laid down on their bunk, we travelled up the Upper Hollyford and just before the Homer Tunnel, veered off to park in the Gertrude Valley carpark.We then rambled a while to the base of the Saddle, enjoying the amphitheatre of surrounding peaks as well as the early celmisias, ourisias and Mt Cook lilies that were smiling back at us.
Gertrude Valley with Saddle behind. (Phil pic and caption.)
Once back at the cars we returned to Camp, allowing for a short stop at Falls Creek where new carparks and Gantries have ensured another great stop on the Milford Rd.
The Camp was busier on the second night with the Stray Bus arrival, plus some trampers who had arrived from the Demon Trail, telling of tall stories and lots of trees over the track, and loads of hunters and jet boaters in the huts…
Wednesday dawned fine and we travelled to the road end, where we set off to enjoy the Hollyford Walk;
Heading off down the Hollyford Track. (Gordon pic and caption.)
guarded over by towering mountains named mostly after Ngatimamoe and Ngai Tahu chiefs intersprinkled with mountains named after bureaucrats, nieces and mothers;
Mt Karetai. (Phil pic and caption.)
we rambled through forest of Beech, Miro, Matai, Totara, Kamahi and Rimu, finally arriving at Hidden Falls Hut for lunch (having already stopped off at the Hidden Falls to get showered upon).
Lunch at Hidden Falls. (Phil pic and caption.)
A few green hooded orchids spread throughout the moss and liverwort track edges.
Following lunch, 5 hikers turned right and returned to the road end by 4pm, whilst 13 trampers turned left and after 40 minutes begun the ascent of Little Homer Saddle;through the forest gaps great views of Mts Madeline and Tutoko were enjoyed and after another 30 minutes we were at the top of the saddle;whilst not high, the effort was considerable in the heat of the day…… a drop off to the Little Homer Falls
Little Homer Falls. (Gordon pic and caption.)
followed with tree falls along the way becoming a little harder to limbo under….. the Falls drew everyone to them and then after a well earned break we set off for Lake Alabaster through self pruning beech forest.As we veered in to the Pyke Valley, we were greeted by tall straight Kahikatea.
Finally we emerged into a clearing where the Pyke Lodge of the Guided walk stood and gazed upon the majestic view of Mt. Madeline dominating the Hollyford skyline.
A further 20 minutes of tired tramping followed before we arrived at Lake Alabaster
First views of Lake Alabaster. (Gordon pic and caption.)
– 7.5 hours after we started, and according to GPS estimations some 2 kilometres longer than official publications credit, at just on 23 kilometres for the day!
Progressively the breezes dropped and shadows and mountain and forest reflections dominated the Lake,
The Darran Mountains and Mt Madeline reflections in Alabaster. (Phil pic and caption.)
interspersed with splashes of delight as keen trampers (some) had a ‘swim’ and dried off before the sand-flies could do damage.
A good spread of birdlife was enjoyed along the walks including tui, bellbird, grey warbler, (bush robin at Marian),shining cookoo, ruru (at night!), chaffinch and the melodious Kaka.Masses of perching orchids (the bamboo – Earina mucronata) adorned tree branches around the shoreline.
We had the company of a small number of other trampers for the first night at Alabaster.
On the Thursday morning, helped by feedback from trampers off the ‘Demon Trail’, 10 decided to follow the dotted lines on the map along side the Lake up the Pyke Valley;this in effect being a bush bash with the lapping levels of the Lake the easier going.About half way along we stopped at a large flowing creek…. fishing and fossicking were undertaken, with not a lot of luck, though style was fine.
Returning through thick bush we stumbled upon a small ‘grave site’ and then returning to the hut we had a cuppa and lunch, before crossing the largest swing bridge in Fiordland over the Pyke River, to touch upon the Demon Trail.A hundred metres of this was enough to convince us that we should save this for another time…..!
Our second night at Alabaster was a very social affair, with jet boaters …
What do jet boat drivers have that fellow walkers don’t? (Phil pic and caption.)
… and pack rafters arriving along with a range of trampers heading up or down the valleys from or to the Coast.Deer had been shot, trout caught, a jet boat sunk and being expensively recovered with helicopters ….so much to catch up on….. and best of all, no news from the outside world!Mattresses were spread throughout the common areas to accommodate all.
Notwithstanding the week of walking everyone was up and away at 6.50 am on the last morning, well before the official start time, as a slight rain began to fall…and fall….and fall.At last we were experiencing a Fiordland shower… becoming so consistent and insistent that when the time came we made a detour to Hidden Falls Hut for an early brunch to recharge, before the last 2 hours trudge to the road end.We took 1.5 hours off the incoming time, very commendable as we were going uphill all the way!(but then apparently the GPS said the distance was shorter…) ah we are better off without these new contraptions!
After 6 hours tramping we quickly reorganised before driving to Gunn’s Camp where we checked for final messages from the Hikers, picked up belongings, then drove back to Te Anau and civilisation.We caught up with the Hikers at a local Café which was being inundated by bus loads of tourists, they were swarming and biting better than sand-flies!
The Hikers meantime, had an enjoyable day trip to Milford Sound on the Thursday.First stop was the well known Chasm, and then they made a call into the Milford Sound Lodge.What used to be a backpackers hostel now has several new cabins and areas for motorhomes, all well laid out with the Cleddau River nearby.
Enjoying Milford Sound. (Raewyn pic and caption.)
The coffee wasn’t bad either apparently!On the way out they made a stop at the historic bridge over the Tutoko River and a lookout near the tunnel entrance.Friday for them dawned with heavy rain so the decision was made to stay put, light the fire and relax in the common room awaiting the trampers return. By 1pm they decided to head for Te Anau for lunch and rendezvous there as originally planned.
Overall
A most enjoyable 5 days of great company, tracks and views to click the camera at.Four days of sunshine out of five is not a bad record in Fiordland terms. Next stop Martins and Big Bays?
Gunn’s Camp
Everyone felt at home here and the accommodation and facilities most appropriate for a stay.It is a very good base for exploring northern Fiordland, whether sightseeing, fishing, hunting or walking and would save multiple trips to and from Te Anau – or to just step back in pace or in time.
The day dawned fine, with a smidgen of frost to sharpen the air. We had sunshine all day, with a few clouds and light winds at times – perfect conditions for our excursion into the Silver Peaks.
Leaving Mosgiel at 8.30 a.m., we began our tramp from the car park on Mountain Road at 9.20 a.m.
Smoko was trackside in the sunshine. Past Green Hut (site), up, along, and up, up, with an occasional brief rest/regrouping stop.
Approaching Pulpit Rock,
Heading to Pulpit Rock. (Gordon pic and caption.)
weed-eaters/chainsaws could be heard to our left. We soon spotted some of the Green Hut Track Clearing Group hard at work down on Long Ridge. You work is greatly appreciated chaps!
Several of our group took the opportunity to climb Pulpit Rock
Happy mountaineering trampers. (Gordon pic and caption.)
before we moved on.
Ready to move on. (Gordon pic and caption.)
The Pinnacle Rock pointed our way onto the Rocky Ridge, where the track was rough but easy to follow.
We stopped a half kilometre short, on a rocky knob to have lunch in the sunshine, while enjoying the terrific views. It was really special to be there!
While the others finished their lunch, the leader recced ahead to the Hermits Cave. The rest followed …
Hermit cave on the horizon. (Gordon pic and caption.)
… to inspect it and to make an entry in the Visitors Book. (The previous entry was back in July.)
Leaving Hermit Cave. (Gordon pic and caption.)
At 1.30 p.m. the return journey began. An occasional brief rest/regrouping stop was made, and eventually a happy but a little tired, group of Trampers ended. Their tramp ended back at the cars at 4 p.m.
All had enjoyed their venture into the Silver Peaks, and the weather had suited us to perfection, couldn’t have been a better one.
There was a large variety of birdlife to be seen and heard today – two got a brief glimpse of a N.Z. Falcon along Rocky Ridge, and a Fern Bird flew across in front of us in the vicinity of Green Hill.
The “distance-meters” couldn’t agree, and ranged from 17 to 20 km for our day. Take your pick. An average of 4 k.p.h. was maintained by our group of 11.
We were back in Mosgiel before 5 p.m. and what a wonderful day it had been.
7 keen trampers set out for a trip in to the Silverpeaks, leaving the cars on Mountain Road at 9.25 p.m.
The weather was perfect for the inward tramp, overcast with a slightly southwest breeze to keep the temperature down.
After 40 minutes we stopped for morning tea. Past Green Hut site we climbed through the bush before emerging into the open. Good views in all directions, upward, and then stopped briefly to admire Pulpit Rock.
pulpit. (Helen pic and caption.)
A little further and we turned on to the Rocky Ridge track. At 12.15 p.m. we were on the track just above the Hermits Cave, the leader descending to find A cave, but not the Hermits Cave he remembered!
No one else was keen after watching him toiling back up to the track, so there was nothing for it but to have our lunch.
All sat and enjoyed the view – what a great spot it was. We could see the “Devils Staircase” leading down to Jubilee Hut also visible.
Lunch above Hermits cave. (Helen pic and caption.)Looking down to cave. (Helen pic and caption.)
As we prepared to leave, a fine drizzle arrived and cloud was forming immediately to the east of Rocky Ridge. Coats on, and in a few minutes it was raining. Within minutes all the trackside vegetation was wet for us to walk through, the breeze changing to easterly with it.
By the time we got back to Pulpit Rock we were completely surrounded by cloud – the Pulpit Rock loomed rather eerily through the mist as we passed.
The rain had eased by the time we were back down to Green Hut, and after an occasional brief rest stop, we were back at the cars in the mist at 3.05 p.m.
We had made good time all day, both going in and coming back. Keith recorded the distance at 16.6 km for the trip.
A recovery time was taken at Blueskin Bay on the way home. We found Dunedin and the Taieri bathed in sunshine – but we had been in a different world! – Art.
6. 19/9/2012. Trampers. Hermits Cave via Green Hut, Pulpit Rock.
GPS of route, courtesy Ken.
18km 5hrs 34 moving time, stopped for 1hr 39min.
Total ascent 1051 mtrs. max elevation 754mtrs.
moving ave speed 3.2km/hr.
Mountain Road wasn’t bad, except for one deep corrugation.
And apart from the odd slushy patches on the track, its surface was largely dry with good grip. The weather was good but a strong breeze blustered us at exposed spots on the top ridges.
Seven of us went in, and seven came out, but it was a long day and the last 5 km out were a weary plod.
One of us developed an excruciating cramp on several occasions, necessitating quite a wee wait each time for the pain to recede.
A long day but not bad for a group including 3 in their 80s. – Ian.
Hermit’s Cave Bivvy. Pam’s proof positive for hubby.Hermit’s Cave Bivvy. Pam insisted on Ian being in the pic too.
5. 23/2/2011. Trampers. Hermits Cave via Green Hut, Pulpit Rock.
As the first track entrance sign round High Top has been removed, it is as well that the worst road holes beyond have been roughly filled to make the route in to the second entrace navigable.
The track in to the new sign shown below is just impossibly bad in wet weather. It has to be the most slippery and dangerous to be found anywhere. Apart from the Swampy Ridge Track indicated below, side track signs are now no longer there.)
The new sign at the foot of Green Ridge. No longer able to be rested upon!
New track sign opposite Possum Hut track turn-off. But no longer any indication of such.
Track sign by Pulpit Rock. No mention of Long Ridge.
Rocky Ridge ahead as we emerged from alongside Silver Peak No. 3.
The new Jubilee Hut (and out-house) clearly seen from Rocky Ridge.
Hermits Cave rather obscured by flax.
The roomy interior of the cave.
The small bivouac on the track right opposite Hermit’s Cave. Many going past don’t think to look down the hill to see the much roomier famous bivvy.
4. 11/10/2006. Trampers. Hermits Cave via Green Hut, Pulpit Rock. Leaders: Doug M, George
Claude, Ian, Doug, Lex Ria? Arthur, Evelyn
Jubilee
3. 26/11/2003. Trampers. Hermits Cave via Big Stream, Mount Allan. Hard. Leaders; George, Hazel.
Just past Poplar Hut turn-off. George, Doug J, Bob, Doug M, Hazel
Descending to Hermits Cave from off track. George, Arthur, Doug
1. 9/3/1994 Hermits Cave, Silverpeaks. 3 alternative stages – long, medium, short. Leaders: George, Doug J, Jean A, Eleanor
The hermit.
An account by a long-standing OTMC member.
Nice guy. Working for L T Martins in fancy furniture. Small. Some hang-ups. Disagreement. Found out not to be a partner. “Little Ross” Adamson. Disappeared. Went all round South Island. Seen in a few different places. Seen peering through window at Jubilee Hut. Caught some sheep. “Big Ross” Lake, a friend, and another male sought out Little Ross (with the knowledge of the police) and persuaded him to come out after two years. Police lenient. Lived normal life. Married. Children.
Another account. A leading light of the OTMC. Missing for 2 years. All over South Island. Silver Peaks for only the latter six months. Police brought him in when he started killing sheep. Account agrees it was indeed Jubilee Hut, not Green Hut as is commonly supposed, where he was seen.
A further comment by another: A little man – had a swelling on the side of his face which embarrassed him. Quite withdrawn but had a great sense of humour when you got to know him. An excellent bushman and a good teacher and leader in the hills. In the late sixties he worked for Valley Industries as a sheet metal worker and lived in a flat in (I think) Heriot Row – lived alone. Lots of stories about his history.
9. 17/10/2018. Trampers. Steve Amies – Craig Lowan Falls. M. Dave.
13 keen trampers left their cars not far from the Whare flat school house and started on the Tunnel track.
Starting out on Tunnel track. (Gordon pic and caption.)
This track was fairly flat and one couldn’t help but marvel at the amount of work done by the early water race workers. After reaching McRaes Weir we turned up a somewhat steep track
Heading up to Steve Amies track. (Gordon pic and caption.)
to reach the Steve Amies ridge.The climb along the ridge was very pleasant, with manukas/kanukas dominant, with lush green undergrowth.
We stopped at the memorial Bryan Freeman seat – he used to be a good friend of Eleanor and her late husband.
The Bryan Freeman memorial seat- a good place for a break. (Dave pic and caption.)
Near the top of the track it was obvious the amount of tree planting and track maintenance that Steve Amies and his mates did many years ago.
We then walked down Rollinsons Road and entered the bush that leads to the Whare lake loop track. It was in this area that a vote of thanks was passed to Arthur and Neil for the obvious work on track maintenance that they continually do (you no longer get your boots wet)!!!
Neil & Arthur’s Bridge. (Gordon pic and caption.)
After having lunch on Smithys’ track it was then down through the bush and back onto Rollinsons road. Round the corner and off the flagstaff – whare flat road we followed an un-named track
Dave’s Track to Craiglowan Falls.
through scrub up to a pine plantation on a ridge.On the sides of the ridge were sycamore trees – a pest – but a pretty sight as the trees were coming into leaf. This improved track lead along the ridge finally ending high above McQuilkan’s creek.Everyone took care descending steeply down to the creek.
5 minutes up the creek we were at the Craig – Lowen falls – quite a sight!
Craig Lowen Falls. (Gordon pic and caption.)
Another half an hour down the streamwe were out in the open and back to the cars.
We covered 21,319 steps, 15.9km in 5.5hrs and gained a net height of 349 metres.
A good round trip!Dave
8. 24/9/2014. Trampers. Craiglowan Falls. M.
Enter via MacQuilkin Road up from Whare Flat Schoolhouse.
GPS of route, courtesy Ken. Craiglowan-Bullring-Aquaduct. We walked 15km; ave 4.3km/h; moving time 3 h 30m; climbed 531m.
This week’s tramp was to Craiglowan Falls. We started off at the locked gate on McQuilkans Rd & followed the marked track across numerous creek crossings [where one member got her feet wet at the first crossing] & up over the large rocks just before reaching the falls. We had morning tea break in the bush above the falls, & then retraced our steps for a short distance back to where a side track led off up the LH side of the stream. (Ed note: This was our original, and only, route down to the falls.) We were not sure where this went, but decided to investigate it anyway, as it looked like it had just had some work done on it. I climbed steeply up until we came to some pine forest, & at this stage I was quite sure that it would come out on the Whare Flat-Flagstaff Rd via Sanitarium Rd, which proved to be correct.
At this time it was only about 11:30, so we decided to walk up to the Bull Ring, & go down Longridge Rd to join up with Smeatons Rd,[where stopped for lunch] …
Lunch on Smeatons Rd – Ken pic and caption.
… – McIntyres Rd, [so we could view the remains of Smeatons shack] then down to the Aquaduct. This proved to be more difficult then would seem, as there were a lot of big trees down over the track in places, which made it necessary to detour around them. From the Aquaduct, we walked around to join up with McIntyres Rd. again, & then crossing straight over here onto the next part of the track leading to Longridge Rd. then back to the car.
Some of the tracks were quite muddy & slippery, but all made it safely back, & enjoyed the day. it was new territory for some in the group, & for others it had been a long time since they were there.
7. 30/5/2012. Trampers. Falls, Goat Point, Smeatons Shack, Aqueduct, Longridge Road.
We reached the Falls OK, but stream crossing on wet rocks and climbing over mossy rocks proved rather dicey. (Note: This tramp best done in summer.)
Craiglowan Falls. (Ken pic and caption)
Morning Tea at Craiglowan Falls (Ken pic and caption)
A cautious descent on way back down over large mossy rocks.
Well, to this point, so far, so good. Back at the stream crossing down below the confluence, we failed to locate the track up to Goat Point, despite knowing its general area. So we climbed in faith and hope. Finally we came across track markers, leading left and right. After exploring left, we went right, until they led relentlessly down. So we retraced back up because Ian had it fixed in his mind that we had to go up to reach the pine plantation. Mistake one.
Encouragingly however, Ken found a track indication on his GPS, and it did promise to reach a forest road. So we kept to this, despite no track appearing, only plenty of scratchy blackberry brambles. But we did reach the road, finally.
This we walked down until we reached a junction, with signs indicating that we were on Smeatons Road, crossed by McIntyre road. Hooray. McIntyre was what we had originally wanted. Ian felt we still had to go down so we turned left and down McIntyre road. Mistake two. We should have taken McIntyre road to the right. More of that later.
Anyway we made the long walk down McIntyre Road, left, to where the race crosses it, and turned right, along the race to lunch, as planned, at the Aqueduct.
Linzi at lunch.
Now, have a look at Ken’s GPS of our route. Click to enlarge. Start at the top, and follow to the right to reach Craiglowan Falls at the extreme right.
GPS of route, courtesy Ken.
Start returning to the left a bit. The zigzag you see is where we starting climbing away from the stream. A further zigzag a little further along is where we started following the track markers. The little tail to the left there, is where we turned back, before going back up again. CRITICAL MISTAKE. Notice, however, the short gap beyond to a tail coming up from below. This is the gap we should have traversed.
Now turn to page 8.07 of Antony Hamel’s Tracks and Trails, and find on the map of Flagstaff Forest at the top right, the circled number “seven”. See how it ascends first before turning right along a contour, below Goat Point and then DOWN to meet McIntyre road at its other end next to Smeatons Shack.
That tail from below is where Ken and Ian climbed up at lunch time to check where we should have come down. And lo and behold, we found not only Smeatons Shack but also the marked track next to it where we should have exited from. An aha moment. And it all became clear, as the GPS map confirms.
Ken and I returned back down the end of McIntyre Road to find the others had left, leaving Doug waiting for us. Of course we should have consulted with everyone to get mutual agreement with what we proposed to do and to arrange a meeting place should the others proposed not to wait. But in our excitement at solving the mystery, we had neglected to do so.
Anyway, going on out to the bottom of McIntyre Road at its other end, we didn’t know whether the others had simply turned down there and back along Long Ridge Road to the cars, or carried on along the race. In the absence of any indication, we set off along the race, as that had been the original intention of the tramp. We were relieved to catch up on them enough to see them further beyond us, but stopping to don parkas as the drizzling rain got heavier, lost sight of them again.
Emerging from the race end further up Long Ridge Road, we saw them again rounding a corner further down and caught up on them at the gate at the end. So all was well that ended well.
Quite an adventure and some interesting unplanned bush-bashing. A lesson in how bush conditions can change over two years and a reminder that our smaller numbers means that all our tramps now amount to a recce, – unlike the hikers, whose “reconnoiterers” go through our experience and sort things out first. – Ian
6. 10/2/2010. Trampers. Falls, Goat Point, Smeaton Shack, Aquaduct, Longridge Road. Leaders: Ian, Sabina.
Down Whare Flat Road 1.5 km. Sanatorium Road second on left after Bullring. – Track no longer locatable from top by us.
It all got a bit complicated. First the leaders failed to find the track down from the Sanatorium Road extension track. Many, many fallen trees had obliterated all trace of the track where it first descends steeply down. Well, the leaders couldn’t find it anyway.
However the start of a new track closer in from the gate had been pointed out by a local landowner so that was followed on the day.
It was fairly well cleared but markers petered out down the middle of a steep bouldery stream (the McQuilkin way upstream from the falls?) so after a morning tea rest, we prudently retreated back up and began all over again, this time back at the old school-house. Up McQuilkin Road. Right-fork into bush and across the McQuilkin on a wire hand-hold. On up and eventually back across to the true right and to the stream junction. Interesting notice points to “Watar fall”. Up over the large rocks and now it was lunch-time at the falls.
Then following out along the race to the other end of McIntyre Road, and across it to the far end of the race where the track comes out on Longridge Road. Down the road and back to the cars. What could have been a very short day comfortably filled out to be more satisfyingly longer. Must ask those landowners how that other track gets you to the falls. And must check out whether the old track is still navigable. – Ian
5. 3/8/2005. Both. School House, Craiglowan Falls, – Whare Flat. Leaders: Judy, Jacqui, Hazel
4. 6/8/2003. Both. Craiglowan Falls. Medium. Leaders: Doug M, Hazel, Barbara L, Mary M.
3. 19/7/2003. Craiglowan Falls.
Craiglowan Falls
Craiglowan Falls. Ian
Upstream from top of Craiglowan Falls.
Overlooking top of Craiglowan Falls.
Old Aqueduct. Doug.
Top of old aqueduct.
2. 30/8/2000 Craiglowan Falls, Whare Flat. Leaders: Mavis, Winifred, Val
1. 16/4/1997. Craig Lowan Falls from Bull Ring. Leaders:Hugh, Val, Judy C
3. 10/10/2018. Trampers. Greengage Circuit. Leaders: Arthur and Gordon.
Daylight arrived with a warm norwest breeze and a bright sky – but the forecast was not good.
Nine energetic trampers ceparted the car park at 8.30 a.m. for an early start. Passing through the locked gate on Rollinsons Road, we parked at the ‘elbow’ and began our tramp from there.
Going down the Rainguage Track for half an hour took us to the start of the Greengage Track, which we followed. Getting ever steeper took us to the stream …
Hiking down into Silverstream. (Gordon pic and caption.)
… at the bottom, which we crossed – this being part of the Silverstream.
Now for the best part of the day. We had a 30 metre rope
Waiting to climb out of S:stream. (Gordon pic and caption.)
to assist our climb out of the stream bed. The reward at the top was the smoko stop.
Waiting their turn on the rope. (Gordon pic and caption.)
From here it was the long climb up onto, …
Nearly there. (Gordon pic and caption.)
… and to the top of Green Ridge. It was rather tough going at first but the grade eased as we progress upward.
Heading up to Silver Peaks Track. (Gordon pic and caption.)
Around 11.30 a.m. low cloud descended, with dampness in the air. Near the top of Green Ridge, a lunch halt was called in a cosy sheltered place.
A much needed lunch break. (Gordon pic and caption.)
After the welcome food and rest, it was only a few more minutes to the main Sliver Peaks Track. After the track we had been on, it was like a highway!
Turning right, (we turned right at every junction we came to today, except the first and the last ones), we followed it to “Sleepy Hollow“. After a brief rest stop, we were now on the Swampy Ridge Track, which had about 1 km of very muddy track to contend with.
By the time we reached Rollinsons Track, the rain was falling.
A little over half an hour would have us back at the cars, bu we were exposed, and out in the open now. It got colder too, and flurries of snowflakes were observed.
All arrived back at the cars in good condition and in a happy frame of mind. Warm but damp to some degree thoughts turned to home and hot showers, etc.
We had tramped about 15 km, in mostly good conditions, and with a very worthwhile tramp to our credit. Thanks to all. – Art.
2. 20/1/2016. Trampers. Greengage Track, anti-clockwise.
Ten hardy souls set off from sunny Mosgiel for a hard tramp. Travelled up past the scout camp and up to Rollinsons road where we parked our cars.
Within the first 10 mins on the Rollinsons track, some of us had wet feet. One can see why they call this area swampy. Lovely views as we went along our way.
Lovely views. (Helen pic)
Alas the fog came in and we could not see much. It was nice and warm though. Walked over swampy summit tramp.
Swampy Track. (Helen pic)Across to Green Hut? (Helen pic)
Morning tea stop was about 5 mins from the Green hut.
Morning Tea Stop (Helen pic)
Went onto the Green Hut track then Greengage track. This track not used a lot.
Track not used a lot. (Helen pic)
Lunch on this track. Carried along then onto Raingage track and back up to the cars. Lots of quite hard walking up and down slippery hills. A few of us did some bum sliding in patches. Abseiling down about 20 meters and crossing a creek were part of our day. A few stiff bodies as we finished the walk. Lovely to have our search and rescue team Dermot and Fin the dog with us.
Fin, the dog. (Helen pic)
A hard tramp but was very enjoyable. – Helen
1. 27/8/2014. Greengage Track.
Greengage Tramp. GPS of route, courtesy Ken. We walked 12.5 km; moving time 3 hrs 45 mins; Ave 3.3 km/hr; Climbed 780 mtrs. [That’s getting close to 1 km straight up !!]On what turned out to be a very nice day for tramping, 4 of us set out to do a tramp on a newly opened track, namely Greengage track. This runs from Rain Gauge Spur track, over to Green Ridge track.
Having cajoled a key from the DCC for the locked gate on Rollinsons Rd. we parked up at the elbow, & made our way over to Raingauge Spur track. Then it was quite a lengthy walk down here, for about 3/4 hr [ including a morning tea stop] from the car before we got to the turn off onto Greengage track. As nobody had done this tramp before, we were all looking forward to it, but didn’t realise just how hard it would be. The track is quite steep, & drops all the way down into the valley, where you cross a stream [ part of the Silverstream headwaters] & clamber out the other side with the help of a rope, which has been thoughtfully put there. From here it is a steep climb nearly all the way up to Green Ridge track, where we arrived about 12:30, & then we walked along the short distance to the Green Hut site, where we had lunch, & a well deserved break.
Lunch stop at Green Hut site. (Ken pic and caption)
The return journey was supposed to retrace our steps, but I couldn’t face the prospect of climbing all the way back down into the valley, & then climbing all the way back up to the car, I put it to the others that we could take an easier way out via Green Ridge track, & then onto the Swampy Ridge track, then along Rollinsons Track back to the car, this was accepted without protest.
So after lunch we set off again, & turning onto the Swampy Ridge track, we soon discovered why it is called “Swampy” , as there were lots & lots of very wet muddy stretches, which were ankle deep in places. We eventually found the entrance to Rollinsons Track, & made our way cautiously along the first part of this, as markers were conspicuous by their absence. The last half was well marked, & the climb out to the car, up the very wet track [running water] was useful for cleaning our boots !!
This tramp is not recommended for unfit persons !! I was suitably shattered when we arrived back at the car. – Ken.
19. 29/8/2018. Trampers. Steve Amies / Little Coal Tracks. M. Leader: Arthur.
7 very keen Trampers did a bush circuit in the Silverstream Valley. Parking at the Pump-house we followed the track past the swing bridge, then up to Tunnel Track to take us to McRaes Weir and the shortcut up to Steve Amies, down Little Coal Creek Track, and returned on Racemans.
Morning tea was taken a partway along Tunnel Track, above a large slip, where there is a good view across to The Chalkies. The shortcut track up to Steve Amies is a bit of a grunt, but taking our time we easily overcame it.
The day had shown promise before we started, but the cloud was low down on all the surrounding hills and high up on the Steve Amies Track the rain started. On reaching the top, at Trig Q, we immediately started down the Little Coal Creek Track.
We stopped to have our lunch in the first relatively sheltered place in the bush. It was colder, so we didn’t stop long before following the track on down.
The lower half, especially, of the Little Coal Creek Track is steep in places and was slippery and rather treacherous from the rain that had just fallen.
A variety of techniques were tried for descending the trickier patches – stepping, slipping, sliding, …
Very slippery track back down. (Gordon pic and caption.)
… falling, …
Still very slippery ? (Gordon pic and caption.)
… tree hugging, and even the rolly-polly method. Afterwards I was assured that all had thoroughly enjoyed (?) the experience – which seemed strange to me.
The last leg of our trip was simple in comparison, along the Racemans Track.
Everybody happy to be on level ground. (Gordon pic and caption.)One final obstacle. (Gordon pic and caption.)
We were back in the cars around 3.15 pm, and I have it on good authority that we had walked 15 km.
The rain had eased off later, and conditions were pleasant other than being cold at lunch time. The leader awards a Gold Star to each of the party for their contribution to a great day’s tramping.
Upon returning to Mosgiel it was decided it would be inappropriate to visit any coffee shop, due to travel stain. – Art.
18. 14/9/2016. Swine Spur – Rollinsons Road – Steve Amies – Tunnels Track. M. Car Shuttle. Leader: Arthur H.
A clear sky, brilliant sunshine, and only a light breeze – perfect.
After setting up a car shuttle for later, 6 enthusiastic trampers began the day’s operations from Rollinsons Road, to walk up the full length of the Swine Spur track.
We reached the junction with Possum Busters at 9.55 a.m. and made this our morning tea stop. There was some dissension about stopping early, but hey, the leader is the boss. (He has to have the occasional privilege.)
Morning tea spot. (Arthur pic and caption.)
Further up we met 4 trampers and a dog coming down – and soon found that it was the same group that had had morning tea with us a week ago on the Tunnel Track. Pleasantries were exchanged.
Our group powered up the steep upper part of Swine Spur, …
High up on Swine Spur. (Arthur pic and caption.)
… the talking hardly lessening, …
Near top of Swine Spur. (Arthur pic and caption.)
… and we topped out at 10.45 a.m.
At top of Swine Spur. (Arthur pic and caption.)
After a brief pause to enjoy the view, we walked the road, passing the VOR aviation beacon on the highest point of Swampy, going down now.
After 50 minutes on the road we were on the track, heading in to Trig Q. On the way past, we stopped to check out the picnic area before heading down the Steve Amies Track.
With perfect timing we stopped at Bryan Freeman’s Memorial Seat to enjoy our lunch. A very pleasant spot with the sun filtering through onto us.
Lunch on Steve Amies. (Arthur pic and caption.)
Note – Bryan Freeman was a keen tramper who died here on the Steve Amies Track in 2011. He was the son of Jim Freeman, who is remembered by the track named after him.
We continued down the Steve Amies Track until turning off to the left onto the short steep track that took us down to McRaes Weir and “the rope”.
From there we followed the Tunnel Track, which in turn follows the contour. Easy track but very enjoyable. No-one showed any enthusiasm to enter the tunnels, but we did admire them in passing.
We reached our tramps’ end at the road at 2.15 p.m. My car was nearby and it soon re-united Neil M. with his one at our starting point.
And so, back to Mosgiel. The good weather, together with the variety encountered during the tramp had made for an enjoyable day.
The distance tramped was around 11 km (at a very rough guesstimate). – Arthur.
17. 14/10/2015. Trampers. Little Coal and Steve Amies.
The tramp today was into the Silverstream Tunnels track, up Steve Amies track, & down Little Coal Creek track, with lunch at the picnic area near trig Q at the top,
Lunch at trig Q at top (Ken pic and caption)
& back along Racemans
Return on Racemans (Ken pic and caption)
to the cars.
This was an uneventful trip, with no problems encounted. The weather was great, cloudy conditions with very little breeze.
Eight trampers took part in the days activities, including a stop at a viewing spot …
Enjoying the view (Ken pic and caption)
16. 15/10/2014. Trampers. Little Coal Creek, Steve Amies. H.
Little Coal Creek, steep in places, can be slippery.
4 of us set off from the Pump House up Silverstream Valley, onto the Racemans Track. Calm weather. Had morning tea at a sunny spot at the junction of Little Coal Creek track. Took off one layer of clothing. On the ascent, stopped a few times to take in the views. Had lunch at Trig Q. The weather was so calm the bushes were not moving at all at 505m.
After lunch, we went down Steve Amies track, stopping to take in the views north, south and west and listening to the birds, – the noises of them!
Back along Racemans Track to the car. Tramp enjoyed. The biggest comment on the trip was ‘How calm’. – Heb.
15. 29/7/2015 Trampers. Little Coal, North Coal.
GPS map of route, courtesy Ken. Racemans Little Coal North Coal McRaes Weir Tracks. Walked 14.5 km; 4.3 km/h ave; 3h 23m moving; climbed 460mtrs.
Today was a hurried change of tramp, as when I got up to the Bullring for the start of our tramp, it was foggy, blowing, & VERY cold, so I made the decision to cancel this, & meet at the start of Silverstream Rd. Where we decided what we would do for the day.
We then made our way to the pump house car park at Whare Flat, & set off along Racemans track. When we reached Little Coal Creek track we decided to go up there, & come back down North Coal Creek, if the tracks were suitable. The ground was surprisingly dry, so we had no hesitation about carrying on. After struggling up Little Coal, with numerous stops to regain our composure, we arrived at the junction with North Coal track, so we went down there a short distance out of the breeze to have lunch.
Three of the group at lunch. (Ken pic and caption)
We were all looking forward to descending North Coal, as last time we did it, Finn, Dermot’s dog was the one who led us in the correct direction, as the track was in very bad condition due to storm damage, & was non existent in parts. However, the Green Hut Track group have been through there & reopened it, & put in some more markers, so it is very easy to follow, but quite difficult travelling.
On the way back we went around the McRaes Weir track to lengthen our journey a bit, & walked down the unmarked track that comes out beside the picnic table down near the Silverstream. We stopped here for another cuppa before we walked out to the cars.
There were no incidents today , apart from me slipping off the edge of Little Coal track at one point, & managing to arrest my slid with the aid of a handy tree. No damage apart from pride !!
The day had a few light showers, but didn’t require wet weather gear, however it paid to keep moving, as the temperature was quite cool with the small amount of breeze.
14. 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.
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.
13. 17/10/2012. Trampers. Pumphouse, Racemans, Steve Amies, Little Coal Creek, Racemans, McRaes, Pumphouse.
GPS of route, courtesy Ken.We walked approx 14kmMoving time 3h 50minave 3.6km/hrTotal ascent 559m – Ken
Five of us had a great day doing the two ridges. The Steve Amies was as steep a struggle as ever at its foot. The easier bit at the top seemed much longer than the writer’s memory had shortened it. We had a leisurely lunch at the set of seats and tables a little beyond trig Q. Sunny and no wind. Great.
Then back again and down to where Little Coal Creek branches off from North Coal. Again the first bit of climbing on Little Coal had escaped the writer’s memory. The steep ridge descent needed careful negotiating. One of the party was heard vowing it was a track they would never wish to ascend. Then it was off the ridge and down the side. The ground is so heavily littered with twigs and leaves that it is almost impossible to keep one’s feet on the steep bits.
Forgot to take photos! And the one below, taken back on the Racemans turned out mysteriously bad.
Taken on the Racemans on the return journey.
We elected to take the McRaes track back. The GPS of the route brings out the depththat the gully takes the track into before emerging back out again. We stopped en route for a drink break as it had been a longer day. We made our way around until turning off at the junction with the Tunnels Track onto the connecting track that took us down to emerge by the swing bridge.
A longer day – we got back out about 4 o’clock. Considerable height climbed and descended. A good work-out. And it was our good luck that the promised rain held off until we were back in the cars again. – Ian.
12. 8/6/2011. Trampers. Tunnels, North Coal, Steve Amies, ret. Medium.
We decided to do today’s tramp from the school house at Whare Flat. We parked in the normal position by the house, & joined the tunnels track at the normal place [wire across stream]. We walked along the Tunnels track/Racemans track [had morning tea in the pine trees again] until we came to Little Coal Creek track, where we had a meeting on whether we go up that one or carry on to the North Coal Creek track. Nth Coal won out, so we went there, & up Nth. Coal Creek. We had lunch overlooking Longridge, from that nice lookout point.It was quite a late lunch, as we decided to get to the top [almost] before having lunch. [It was 12:15 when we got to the bottom of the Nth. Coal Creek track.]
After this we went up to the picnic area, …
… & road, where we had another meeting about how we go back again. It was decided that we go down Steve Amies track, so off we went, with everybody starting to get a bit tired. We arrived back at the cars at 5:00pm, having started at just before 10:00am.
We walked [according to the GPS] 20.2 km, & did a total ascent of 578mtrs. Total moving time 5hrs 2min. moving ave. 4km/hr. overall ave 2.8km/hr. Stopped time 2hr 11min. So it was a big day for the 6 of us, but all enjoyed the walk. I think they will sleep well tonight !!!
The girls enjoyed the picnic area etc at the top by the road, along with the view from the lunch spot, so quite a bit of time was spent around there, as they had not been there before.
We started our descent at 2:30, so it took 2 1/2 hrs to walk back. Maybe better to do this tramp when we have a 9:00am start, as it was starting to get a bit dark by the time we got back. Also, we were not wasting any time while walking along the Racemans etc, much faster than we would normally be going. The trip could be shortened a bit by going in at the pumphouse, but how much that would cut off I don’t know.The day was fine & sunny, but cool & calm. The tracks were mainly dry, & only muddy in the normal Racemans track positions. The hill climbs/descents were quite good. Some parts of the tracks need a bit of clearing, but not too bad in general. – Ken.
11. 18/3/2009. Hikers. Steve Amies from Access Rd Hikers E+ Bev H, Joyce S
10. 25/7/2007. Hikers. Access Road, Steve Amies. Leaders: Bob H, Graham.
9. 19/5/2007 Trig Q from Silverstream via Steve Amies track. Steve Amies Track Circuit Leaders: Ria L, Hazel
8. 13/9/2006 Tunnels – Steve Amies – Little Coal Creek – Racemans. Medium+. Leaders: Bob H, Arthur H
7. 27/7/2005. Hikers. Steve Amies, Trig Q. Bob H, Les W, Mary M.
6. 27/7/2005 Tunnel, McRaes Weir, Steve Amies, Trig Q, Picnic Area; Little Coal Creek, Racemans. Bob H, Les W, Mary M
5. 21/7/2004 Trampers. Lake Whare, Steve Amies, Trig Q. Medium. Leaders: Ian, Bob H
Frost on Possum Busters. Bill
Frost on Possum Busters. Bruce
New Bridge by Track-clearers. Ian
4. 9/7/2003. Trampers. Tunnels, McRaes, Steve Amies, North Coal Creek, Racemans.Medium. Leaders: Irene, Doug J.
Bill at rocky point in Racemans
Rocky patch on North Coal track. Glenice, Lex, Doug
Trig Q. Doug M, Doug J, Lex, Pat
Tramp end. Irene, Glenice, Lex, Doug M, Doug J, Pat
3. 30/4/2003. Steve Amies, Trig Q, Swineburn Photos
2. 23/10/2002. Tunnels – Steve Amies – Little Coal Creek – Racemans. Medium+. Leaders: Lex, Bob H, Wendy B.
1. 2/2/2000. Trig Q from Silverstream via Steve Amies track. Steve Amies Track Circuit Leaders: Peter B, Lex
3. 29/8/2018. Hikers. McKessar Track from Foot. E. Leaders: Jim and Betty.
The sun was not shining when we left the car park and as we approached Port Chalmers it looked like it would be a day destined for coffee only. As we continued our journey, there was a marked improvement in the weather as we reached the Purakaunui Railway Park. From the car park the walk was down hill to Sea level then back up the road to the cars for the morning tea break. All the Twenty Two then walked up to our lunch stop at Mopanui Road where we sat with our heads in the cloud. The up hill climb included a breather to marvel at in the relics of the McKessar Homestead. We descended back down the track & into the cars for our refreshment stop at the Plazza Café. Conditions could be described as a little moist. – Betty & Jim Finnie
2. 15/11/2017. Hikers. Purakaunui Station. McKessar Track, Mopanui Road. E. Leaders: Jim and Betty.
Route map, courtesy Ian.
Starting off from the site of the old Purakanui railway station, a party of twenty hikers made the short road walk down hill to the Purakaunui inlet for an then returned, for the morning tea stop at the cars.
(Clive pic.) [Cars at the station a first for the Club. – Ed.]This was followed by the hike up the McKessar Track in very pleasant conditions to our lunch stop at the end of Mopanui Road. We had a breather on the uphill climb where Ian showed us the relics of the old McKessar homestead.
(Clive pic.)
An after-lunch
(Clive pic.)
stroll beyond the road end, took us to a point which gave us an excellent view to the north. Little time was required for the pleasant stroll down hill back to the cars, which took us to our refreshment stop at the stadium Plaza cafe. – Betty and Jim
1. 9/3/2016. Hikers. Mopanui Road, McKessar Track, Albert Road. E. Leaders: Bev, Lesley.
GPS of McKessar trekHorse Drinking Trough on Mount Cargill Road.Orokonui VillageHikers’ cuppa at top of McKessar Track
