Protected: Committee Minures 30 July 2018
Protected: Committee Minutes 30 July 2018
Taieri Ramble
27/6/2018 Outram Ramble E. Leaders: Peter and Wendy
27/5/2015. Momona Environs. E. Leaders: Peter and Wendy.
23 of us started from Momona Hall
at the intersection of Centre Road and Nichols/Bruce Roads. Some distance south (approx) along Centre Road we turned aside into what Peter told us was the original route of the road to emerge back a little further on. Towards the corner we cut through a lane to emerge on Millers Road (kms 1 & 2) which we followed down past some fattening turkeys
to turn into Bremners Road (kms 3 & 4).
We stopped in a gateway for morning tea, partly sheltered by a belt of trees. The small cold wind forced us into wind-breakers at this point.
From Bremners, we turned down Lee Creek Road (km 5) and then along Granton Road. Next turn was into Beehive Road, (kms 8 & 9) our first road to take a more winding route, and this led us eventually to a turn into a paddock whose fence line led us across to the Janefield homestead, (km 10) where we lunched. This was just as well, for Lesley’s legs had started to go ‘rubbery’.
This was Ian Bathgate’s property. Peter had been telling us about his Bathgate relatives’ history on the Taieri Plain.
The feature of Janefield was the huge barn loft where dances had been held in times past. Now it was just used for storage.
As we turned the corner we were confronted by a large stock truck loading loin chops in their original form.
The road out from Janefield came out on Nichols Road (kms 11 & 12) which by various twists and turns led us diagonally across the plain eventually back to our cars.
Thanks, Peter and Wendy. A good winter’s (well, weather-wise anyway) road walk – an alternative to what would have been a soggy farm walk to Weka Falls. And an original choice too. A new ‘first’ for the club through a bit of Bathgate family history! – Ian.
Orbells Crossing, Northern Lawsons Farm
68 km from car-park.
9. 30/5/2018. Orbells Crossing – Mountain Road.(Lawsons Farm.) M-H. Arthur.
Frost to begin with, but a sunny day followed for 11 Trampers to enjoy their exercise in.
We drove up Mountain Road from the north end and parked up.
The air was cold, but a brisk downhill walk in the sunshine took us to the bank of the Waikouaiti River where we had our smoko stop.
Following the river bank upstream we soon encountered a pine plantation where the track was becoming overgrown with blackberry and gorse. You would have expected that a consciention leader would have done some track clearing!
This was the only bad patch for the day, as we were were out on grazed paddocks from then on.
Passing the junction of the two branches of the Waikouaiti River, we continued up the south branch and soon came out on a lovely river flat. On leaving the river we had a long climb, with a reasonable gradient,
to eventually find our lunch spot on the ridge top.
Lunch with a view – a little snow was on top of Lamb Hill, Mount Misery, (Bendoran Huts had been visible a few metres back). We were looking at Mount Watkins
as we ate, and Maori Peak, Karitane, etc, further round.
A very slight south-east, but very chilly breeze was present, and we faced into it for the return journey. Following the ridge down, and then on a slippery (newly graded) track requiring care.
In time we came to Mountain Road, which is the old wagon road from the early days of Otago, and eventually arrived back at our cars.
We had covered a distance of about 10.5 km. Our club had last tramped here in 2012, but none of our group had been here before.
A new tramp is always welcomed, and we had a great day in the sunshine, enjoyed by all.
Blueskin Nurseries enjoyed our patronage on the way home. The Hikers arrived in too. – Art.
8. 18/1/2012. Trampers. Orbells Crossing, Mountain Road Track. Medium.
Three of us, & Fin the dog went on the tramp to Lawson’s Farm at the North end of the Silverpeaks, in the Waikouaiti River valley.
It was a very warm day, so we took advantage of the shade where we could. As I was the only one who had been there before, I put the previous tramp from there onto my GPS, & we followed that route up to where we had previously had lunch, but as it was only 11:00am at this time, we just rested in the shade for 10 mins or so, …
… before climbing the steep face up to the top paddock. Our lunch stop was by the Limestone rock formation, but this time, we sat down by the fence below them to keep out of the sun.
The after lunch climb up the vehicle track to the Old Mountain Track was next, & then just a leisurely walk along this back to the vehicle. – Ken.
7. 21/7/2010. Trampers. Orbells Crossing, Mountain Road Track. Medium. Leaders: Ria, Hazel.
Ken’s GPS tracking of the tramp goes anti-clockwise from top right where we parked the cars, across left alongside two large water tanks and a new building, then a zig-zag down to the river where we stopped for morning tea. Here we were amazed by evidence of a large flood that had tangled debris in bare willow-branches (not evident in the pic) well above our heads.
Following Ken’s GPS tracking up the true right side of the river, and you come to the extreme left of the map where a mixture of tracking signals indicates our lunch-stop. As you can determine -click to enlarge the pic – from whether the tracking signals are behind or in front of each other, you will see that the track took us up and down several slopes. Lunch was on a ledge well above the river. A great view. The steep ridge showing in the pic’s background is what we c-l-i-m-b-e-d after lunch.
A gentle descent across a newly-grassed field took us to a track down to a gully between two ridges, then up the gully to the remarkable set of unusual rocks. Beyond these, we climbed the steep slope up to the left to emerge eventually on the Mountain Road track. It was then only the case of following this back down to the the cars. Thanks to Ria and Hazel for a well-led tramp, enjoyed on a grand winter’s sunny day following a good frost. – Ian
6. 27/2/2008. Trampers. Orbells Crossing, south. Medium. Leaders: Ria L, Hazel
A small but select group met at the turning to Buckland’s crossing on an overcast but warm day under the leadership of Ria and Hazel. The location of the tramp was down as Orbells crossing but there was some debate as to where this actually was. We parked in the middle of nowhere but Ria and Hazel soon had us over a couple of fences and striking across the countryside to a nice morning tea stop on the banks of the South branch of the Waikouaiti River where it was mentioned that a fishing rod would have been useful. The tramp continued along a very pleasant country track wending our way along hillsides and gullies until we stopped for lunch, looking back over to where we had walked earlier. To those with no sense of direction this was quite confusing as we seemed to do a very big figure of eight. After lunch the mystery trip continued, with Ria venturing into some uncharted territory along a gully. When the gully ran out it was a steep climb up to the top where we could easily see where we were again. One of the highlights of the day was seeing the unusual rocks just above the track,
weathered into all sorts of interesting shapes, colour and textures. All information about these rocks would be gratefully received. A very enjoyable day’s tramping. Many thanks to our adventurous leaders. – Tash
5. 9/5/2007. Lawson Farm from McGrath/Gilchrist Roads near Old Cherry Farm. Figure of Eight. No river. Leaders: George, Evelyn C.
4. 10/5/2006. Trampers. Orbells Crossing. Medium. Leaders: Ria, hazel.
3. 9/5/2001. Orbells Crossing. Medium. Leaders: Riaa L, Mary L, Ian.
2. 10/11/1993. Orbells Crossing. Round trip. Medium. Leaders: Mary Y, Peg C, Evelyn M, Wendy.
1. 17/4/1991 Cherry Farm, Merton. Ridge inland from Mt track.Leaders: G Haggie, B Harvey, R Heenan
McKendry Road, Roseburn, Woolshed Road, Horsehoof Station.
Location: 20 km.
12. 9/5/2018. Trampers. McKendry Road to Maungatuas tramp. Leader: Jill.
On a glorious May morning 13 trampers parked in Horsehoof Station’s paddock at the top of McKendry Road – and immediately began our ascent of “the Hill”.
Gaining height quickly we were afforded great views over the Taieri.
Morning tea was a welcome break from the climb – and time to take in the vista to Saddle Hill and the sea beyond.
Our climb continued before we turned left on to a track that took us down through a lovely beech filled gully and over a pretty stream.
(Don’t think we need to include the photo of Margreet & the gorse bush!)
Then it was onward and upward and upward through native tussock country.
We had lunch at the top corner of Horsehoof – on the boundary with the Maungatua conservation area.
We headed back down along farm tracks,
making a round trip of just over 16 km. – Jill.
11. 15/2/2012. Trampers. McKendry Road, Woolshed Road, Maungatua.
10. 28/7/2010. Trampers. McKendry Road, Roseburn, Woolshed Road. Medium. Leaders: Doug, Sabina.
We parked the cars under some Gum trees, & walked the short distance to the start of the climb up the “Old Coach Rd” to the top of the Maungatuas.
This track was very hard going due to the damage done to it by cattle.
We stopped for morning tea part way up, then continued on for some distance, until deciding to go back down, as it was getting quite windy, & cold, with frequent light showers. We went back down to the Roseburn house, found a spot to have lunch,
& then went exploring, to find a better way to the top. After exploring a number of tracks, & even although the farmer had told Doug & Sabina that there was no way up now because of overgrown tracks, we found a way up through an old logging site which would take us right to the top.
From there, it was back to the cars, & home again. – Ken.
9. 21/11/2007. Trampers. McKendry Road, Roseburn, Woolshed Road return. Medium. Leaders: George, Glenice
A hot day with some early steep climbing, but not before George and Glenis led 10 of us down through Roseburn farm homestead to see a dozen or so alpacas. Great.
Climbing out, we stopped for morning tea with a grand view from the shelter of pines
before emerging into paddocks exposed to a hot sun. It was then just continual climbing until we emerged at last onto Woolshed Road, a 4WD track along the top joining McKendry Road along the back with Horsehoof Station. It was still a bit early for lunch, so George led us down a 4WD track turn-off that headed towards Maungatua, to lunch under silver beech trees hugging a Woodside-bound stream. The trees provided a leisurely lunch- time shelter and rest.
Climbing back out, we followed the Woolshed- McKendry road down, down, down, enjoying great views of Outram and the Taieri Plain on the way, to reach the cars again near Roseburn Farm. An enjoyable first real sunny day in a long time. – Ian
8. 28/6/2006. Trampers. Horsehoof to Maungauas from McKendry Road. Medium+.
7. 18/6/2003. Trampers. McKendry Road to Maungatuas, returning by farm. Medium. Leaders Shirley McN, Bill and Pat.
6. 27/6/2001. Horsehoof Station from McKendry Road. Medium+. Leaders: Claude, Bill and Pat.
5. 19/4/2000. McKendry Road, Horsehoof Station. Leaders: Graham, Bill H, Molly.
4. 10/2/1999. Horsehoof Station via McKendry Road. Leaders: Graham, Shirley McN, Wendy
3. 23/4/1997. McKendry Road via Horsehoof Station. Leaders: Les and Margaret, George.
2. 23/8/1995 McKendry Road, Maungatua, return by Roseburn property, Horsehoof Station. Medium. Leaders: Les W, Ray, Jack M, Peter R
1. 26/8/1992 McKendry Road to Maungatuas, return by Roseburn property, Horsehoof Station. Leaders: George, Les W, Peg Al, Peggy M..
Deep Stream, Rocklands Station. Welshs Road. Lawlors Old Farm.
No. 60 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Lawlor Farm”
Closed for lambing Sept-Nov.
50 km from car park.
50 km from car park.
14. 18/4/2018. Trampers. Welshs Road, Old Farm, Deep Stream, Weir. M. Leader: Keith and Arthur.
It was a beautiful autumn day as 14 trampers travelled for about 40 minutes, out past Clarks Junction to Welshs Road.
The cars were parked by the woolshed near Deep Stream on Steve Nichol’s farm. We all had to sign the visitors book on arrival, for “elf and safety” reasons.
The sun was lovely, but the breeze was decidedly cool, as we made our start.
To be different, the leaders had planned on a clockwise circuit, and also climbing uphill through the paddocks to extend the distance.
The steeper beginning warmed all the participants nicely, before having morning tea in the head of a gully – somewhat sheltered from the breeze.
Continuing up through the paddocks the scenery was magnificent wherever we looked. At the highest point of our day we came back to Welshs Road. The wind was keen here, but there was a good view over to the Lammermoors – the “ship at anchor” was visible.
Now it was downhill all the way to Deep Stream, road at first and then following the farm’s boundary fence.
The “Te Papanui Conservation Park” was just over the fence which we had to climb through at the last. The views looking down in to Deep Stream were great as we descended to the weir.
Time for some photographs …
… before walking the 4W.D. road above the stream.
Near the mouth of Deep Creek we stopped for an early lunch on a long table thoughtfully provided. A nice spot in the sunshine, and ideal for the occasion.
The 4W.D. road was up and down a bit, but took us back to the cars, after having walked 9.8 km.
All agreed that the walk down through the Deep Stream gorge, below the weir, was the highlight of the day. It had been another very successful and happy day’s tramp for our group.
And so back to Outram, to stop at a the ‘Goat’ for water, food, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cold beverage, etc (tick the boxes applicable please). – Art.
13. 17/2/2016. Hikers. Welshs Rd, Old Farm, Deep Stream, Weir. M. Leaders: Bob and Peter.
The leaders considerately stopped the cars about 3k short of the old farm house to give some level walking to those who didn’t wish to tackle, beyond there, the climbs over the three steep ridges on the way into the weir. (As matters turned out, they did tackle a further climb or two after all.) We all stopped first, a kilometer or so along the road, for a cuppa.
Eight of us went on to reach reached the barb-wired locked gate, (some getting further)!
En route, (whoops, too many ‘en routes’), we passed a couple of bee hive sets of frames, with Betty getting stung several times from one of them. Happily Lester was there to help remove the bees and their stings.
On our return, we stopped in the a patch of shade for lunch.
The day grew warmer but fortunately not nearly as exceptionally hot as it was a fortnight ago. We enjoyed a brief cooling passing shower when getting close to the cars on our return.
The ridges are getting higher and steeper than ever to climb over and the tramp extension by the extra three or so kilometres gap between cars and house wearied this reporter a bit but for the others it was a breeze. A good day out. A good reminder of a tramp the club has enjoyed many times before. – Ian.
12. 23/4/2014. Hikers. Welshs Rd, Old Farm, Deep Stream, Weir. M. Leaders: Peter and Wendy.
A good memory is an attribute we came to wish we collectively had more of. Driving down Welshs Road, we made two false stops before plucking up enough courage to take our cars yet further on to the actual Holiday Camp yards. (However, from recollection (what’s that again??) the “Both” 8/2009 group [indicated below] walked virtually the length of Welshs Rd just to reach the HP, well-notified on its gate).
Well, we eventually made it there by car and walked on and up a bit to stop for our morning cuppa.
After that stop, taken briefly because of a strong cold wind at the time, memory let us down again. A few recalled the road had several ups and downs in it, but the road that we then took led us only up and up and up. After some confused conferring, with nervous hope of finding the right way, we retraced our steps back down the way we had come, to a gate just adjacent to our morning tea stop. Soon the reassuring ups and downs emerged, and a morning tea spot taken on an earlier tramp confirmed we we on track. (See Trampers 11/2009 for the morning tea break pics)
However the earlier uphill foray had served to discourage four of our 22-strong group from further uphill struggles and they returned to the cars. That was too bad. But eighteen still persisted.
The stream views were most rewarding. The view of the Deep Creek (exit/entrance?? – well, confluence, then) into Deep Stream looked better from an angle different from that of a pic below taken on an earlier trip.
A locked gate (part of which can be seen at the right in the pic below) just prior to the weir proved a further deterrent, and only five persisted beyond it. On rejoining the other twelve they found them already getting into their lunch. It was the right time too.
We straggled back to the cars in a long drawn out string of ones and twos, but all eventually made it, to unsurprisingly find the earlier four long gone.
Then it was only for a dwindling ten (did Elaine deliberately hide herself behind Pat?) of us to reunite at the No 8 w Herbs cafe for a drink of …
… – you’ve guessed it – coffee, not to mention a tasty treat of chips and dips, courtesy Elaine. – Ian
11. 26/2/2014. Trampers. Welshs Rd, Old Farm, Deep Stream, Weir.
This was a tramp that most of the 9 that turned up had never done before.
We walked up the gorge all the while looking down to Deep Stream to see if we could find a more interesting walk than on the road with it’s quite steep climbs. Once again most of the ones who are going on the Motatapu trip next week were carrying their big packs with some weight in them.
We found some nice rocks to sit on for morning tea …
We walked up the gorge all the while looking down to Deep Stream to see if we could find a more interesting walk than on the road with it’s quite steep climbs. Once again most of the ones who are going on the Motatapu trip next week were carrying their big packs with some weight in them.
We found some nice rocks to sit on for morning tea …
… at the top of one of the hills we had to climb, so we got a good view of the countryside. Then it was further into the gorge, until we arrived at the weir.
After a look around there, & a drink to freshen up …
… it was decided that we would go up the steep road opposite to where we were sitting, & walk back through the paddocks. George & Rea both remembered doing this in earlier times, so we set off, & headed away from the gorge up into the paddocks where we split up a bit & had lunch in two groups. Then it was down a gravel road that George assured us we would find, & back a short distance to the cars. The stream looked inviting, as it was a reasonably hot day, without a cloud in the sky, but nobody was game to get wet !!
After examining some peoples’ packs, & the way they were wearing them, we had an adjustment session to see if we could improve the fit for one member of the group, & I’ll also be looking at mine before next week, as it seems to be sitting too low on my hips.
We are becoming the Coffee Club No. 2 as we once again called into Outram for a chat over a cuppa on the way home, although Rea, & Hazel walked all the way around to the Berry Farm shop for a Yoghurt Ice Cream !!
Everyone agreed that it was a good walk with interesting scenery along the way. – Ken.
After examining some peoples’ packs, & the way they were wearing them, we had an adjustment session to see if we could improve the fit for one member of the group, & I’ll also be looking at mine before next week, as it seems to be sitting too low on my hips.
We are becoming the Coffee Club No. 2 as we once again called into Outram for a chat over a cuppa on the way home, although Rea, & Hazel walked all the way around to the Berry Farm shop for a Yoghurt Ice Cream !!
Everyone agreed that it was a good walk with interesting scenery along the way. – Ken.
10. 25/11/2009. Trampers, with a lot of Hikers! Deep Stream Holidays. Pipeline Road. Deep Stream Weir. Easy+. Leaders: Bill and Pat.
It was 10.00 a.m. before our cars reached the Deep Stream Holidays Park. So we walked on along the pipeline road before stopping for a delayed morning tea in a sheltered corner of the road.
The road wound on up and down as the pipeline followed up beside the stream.
A point of interest was to see the Deep Creek confluence point with Deep Stream.
Eventually we arrived at the weir.
We climbed the steps from the weir to the road above. Some of us found a way up to the rock looming behind.
From the rock buttress, we had a grand view of weir and dam.
On the way back, Bill pointed out a rock wall built by Chinese goldminers to divert the stream.
9. 5/8/2009 Both. Welshs Road, Deep Stream, Lawlors Old Farm now Deep Stream Holidays. Easy+. Leaders: George, Bev.
click to enlarge
8. 14/4/2004 Hikers. Deep Stream. Lawlors Old Farm. Easy+. Leaders: Joyce , Jim & Thelma
7. 15/5/2002 Alt. Deep Stream, Lawlors Old Farm. Easy. Leader: Mary L, Margaret and Les.
6. 23/9/1998. Lawlor Farm, Deep Stream. Leaders: Mary L, Sabina.
5. 25/9/1996. Deep Stream from Rocklands Station to Dam. Leaders: Jack M, Diana and Ray
4. 10/5/1995 Lawlor Farm. Medium. Leaders: Peg C, Mary L, Sabina, Diana W
3. 2/12/1992 Welsh Road, Deep Stream, Lawlors Farm. Average. Leaders: Daphne, Peg A, Peg C, Peg M
2. 25/4/1990 Welsh Road, Deep Stream. Great tramping area. Easy+. Only one small hill. Leaders: Mary Y, Diana B, Hugh D, Betty B
1. 1/2/1989 Deep Stream. Rocklands Station. A long but not difficult walk. Follow pipeline to dam. Leaders: Daphne, Denise, Mary
Protected: Committee Minutes 10/4/2018
Protected: Committee Minutes 10 April 2018
Balclutha River Walk
69 km from car park.
28/3/2018. Hikers. Balclutha River Walk. E. Leaders: Bev and Lesley.
Luckily the day was bright and sunny as we were going a bit further afield for our hike today, to Balclutha. There were 17 met at Naish Park in Balclutha and as it was 10am we sat in the sun and enjoyed a leisurely morning tea before setting out on the walk.
Naish Park is a lovely area with beautiful trees, garden, aviary and childrens play ground.
It was originally a market garden and orchard, donated to the people of Balclutha by the Naish Family.
The walk is called the Blair Atholl walkway and goes along the stop banks beside the Clutha river.
We went to the end of it…
… and up a side track by a rhododendron dell that must be a great site in the right season. We had a our lunch here. Once again taking out time and enjoying the sun. Then back the way we had come till the track divided and we went along a loop that was closer to the river. Unfortunately where you had to cross an inlet the water was higher than expected. However, some elected to wade across…
…while the rest of us retraced our steps and followed the path we had started on. We then adjourned to the Heart & Soul café for the after walk social get together. – Bev.
30th Anniversary people pics
30th Anniversary
The day dawned sunny but cool, so for a leg-stretch, 18 walkers left from the bowling club for a street walk. We walked a couple of ks to, and through, the new Heathfield subdivision off Gladstone Road into the Woodlands settlement at the bottom of the Mosgiel sign. From here we climbed a steep pinch up to near the Mosgiel sign
which was erected in June 1987 by the local Rotary club under the guidance of one of our tramping club members, Neil Buckley. It is a landmark at the entrance to Mosgiel – our little Hollywood replica!!
After a leisurely coffee stop at the reservoir and the panoramic vista over Mosgiel, – the Silver Peaks to the north – across to the Maungatuas in the West
– and down the Taieri Plains. – A casual walk back into Mosgiel where some had another coffee stop before heading over to the the bowling club for the celebratory lunch.
30 Anniversary of our Club’s Inauguration.
We had 82 members, partners and past members in attendance for a delicious buffet lunch interspersed with a speech from George Haggie representing the early members and one from Dave Mellish, one of our newer members.
Also the Skylarks quartet presented an entertaining song composed by Bruce Spittle to the tune from Gilbert and Sullivans HMS Pinafore, titled “Some Years ago in 1988”. Thanks Bruce Ian Judy D and Margreet.
*****Click here For a video of “Some Years Ago in 1988″*****
A real highlight for the whole event was the presentation to Margaret and Les Smith of Life Membership.
A real honour and well deserved. Right from the start of the club’s inauguration till present day, of years of service: committee, trip organizing and hosting club activities.
Another memorable event was the launching of Judy Knox’s book:
Taieri Recreational Tramping Club – 30 th Anniversary Publication.
*****Click here for people pics taken at the Dinner*****
An amazing record of our history. Thanks to Judy for her research and Ian Fleming’s meticulous care in maintaining the website for access to members, where Judy collected a lot of her information.
Cake cutting was by Molly Vaughan (90+) and George Haggie (almost 90), …
… original members and untill very recently, still tramping. An inspiration to us all.
The cake fairies Pam and Dawn distributed the cake. This cake was beautifully decorated using a similar topping as on the 20th year cake, along with little boots, pack and sticks.
“Well Done” to the decorator.
Several member also spoke towards the end of the lunch describing various aspects of a very happy fun-loving group of outdoor folks who enjoy a coffee fix at the end of the day regarding encountering the day’s outing.
“Well done” everyone!
30 years is a fine achievement, and onwards and upwards for another 30 years.
I would just like to thank the committee and fellow-trampers for making this club so special.
Happy tramping! – Jill Dodd, President 2017 -2018
Clarksbrae, Clarks Junction
35 km
2. 7 Mar 2918. Both. Clarksbrae, Clarks Junction. Leaders: Jay and Jan.
On Wednesday 7th March 40 trampers and hikers completed a walk on “Clarksbrae” farm, Clarks Junction. After a 30 minute car ride we arrived on a lovely summer’s day at “Clarksbrae” Farm and parked close to the woolshed. I must say the tidiest and cleanest woolshed I have ever seen.
From there we had to take 6 cars to the end of the walk to shuttle people on completion of the walk.
It was 10.30 when we started
and the walk was on a designated stock laneway. It was a steady but gentle climb through beautiful farmland
and wonderful views of the Maungatua, The Lammermoor Range, the Rock and Pillar Range through to Middlemarch. At the end of the laneway we turned left and walked up to the trig station where we had our lunch at 12.30.
After lunch we followed a track that in places was marked out with painted arrows and warratahs with plastic bags on put in place by the farmer so as we knew which direction to take to get back to the cars. This part of the walk was generally down hill.
Many of our walkers filled plastic bags with beautiful fresh mushrooms.
The distance travelled was 11.5ks. Coffee was at the ” Wobbly Goat” in Outram. – Jay and Jan B
30 August, 2017. Hikers. Clarksbrae, Clarks Junction. Leaders: Jay and Jan.
Tramp Report from the hikers group. Our walk today comprising of 21 enthusiastic folk started at “Clarksbrae” Farm, Clarks Junction. Farm owner, Richard Nichol gave permission to us to walk along the stock lane way which was very comfortable under foot. The walk was a gentle climb with three steep short gullies to get the heart rate up a bit. Very doable for all concerned. The scenery encompassed The Maungatua, the Lammermoors, the Rock and Pillar Range and the Kakanui Range. We had lunch at the trig station which gave us 360 degrees views. The walk back was all down hill. All up we walked 10.3ks. – Jay and Jan.
Protected: Committee Minutes 19 February 2018
Bull Ring, Flagstaff Walkway/ Pineapple Track
Location: 13.3 km from car-park. Click Dunedin’s Hills’ History for background information. Click Pineapple Track for background information. Click Pineapple and Flagstaff walk for background information. See Flagstaff Name for its origin.
8. 14/2/2018 Trampers. Flagstaff.
The main tramping group was away this week in camp at Aspiring Hut, but 6 of those left at home felt the need for their usual Wednesday tramp, so decided to go and do something about it.
An early shower at 8.30 am, and low cloud in Mosgiel didn’t look very promising but as we drove up the gravel road to the Bull Ring our cars were raising dust.
The day was overcast and very pleasant, with a very slight breeeze increasing only a little in the afternoon. No cloud to bother us.
The summit of Flagstaff was our first objective and from where we viewed a helicopter operating from beside the Firebreak Track. It was transiting close to us, and spraying somewhere low down in the Nichols Creek area apparently – out of our view.
Morning tea was taken at the junction of the first cross track to the Firebreak. During our stop, 2 hidden birds, only metres away, were calling – a single “click” sound. After a time one flew a few metres and was briefly visible before going back into cover. My guess was that it was maybe a Fern Bird? Are there any ornithologists out there who can confirm if there are any Fern Birds up on Flagstaff?
We continued along the Pineapple Track to the next junction, and turning left crossed to the Swamp Ridge Track, to follow it to Swampy Summit.
We travelled at an easy pace, stopping for a rest at times at the top of the steeper bits. Eventually we came to the top of the Swine Spur Track, and followed it down about 50 metres to admire the recently erected track sign – well done Ian H.
It was 12 noon now and it was decided democratically by one person (not me) that we would stop here and have our lunch in the shelter of the Airways building.
Afterwards we retraced our steps back along Swampy Ridge and then the Firebreak Track …
… to finish at the Bull Ring. Again our pace was easy and pleasurable allowing plenty of time for taking (by some anyway).
On returning to Mosgiel we all adjourned to the Blackstone Cafe for after tramp relaxation.
In summary it had been a very enjoyable day out for the six of us, and we had some good exercise in travelling the 13.5 km. – Art.
7. 29/4/2013. Trampers. Bullring, Skyline, Swampy.
As it was such a nice looking day after all the wet weather we have had, it was decided to stay in the sun for the day. So we went to the bull ring with the intention of going to Hightop. We took the long way around by going up the Skyline track, & along the tops to the junction with the track up to Swampy summit, & down to Booth Rd. The track up to Swampy summit was in quite good condition, but it doesn’t get any less steep as time goes on !!! On the way up the Skyline track we stopped at the NEW seat overlooking the city [which was covered in fog on this occasion] for morning tea. Lunch was held at the last Airways building …
… just at the start of the Swampy Ridge track leading over to the Green Hut track. A few of us walked down to the University research building during our lunch break, just to be able to say “I’ve been there”. After lunch it was decided that we would return to the cars by the same route, so we set off to the accompanying display from a helicopter …
… that was spraying gorse & broom at quite low levels. it was a brilliant day out, …
… with no wind, & glorious sunshine all day, which had us discarding clothing to keep cool.
Looking forward to many more days like this.
Walked 16.6km; moving time 4hrs; ave speed 4.1km/hr; climbed 658mtrs; Max height 749mtrs. – Ken
Looking forward to many more days like this.
Walked 16.6km; moving time 4hrs; ave speed 4.1km/hr; climbed 658mtrs; Max height 749mtrs. – Ken
6. 9/4/2014. Hikers. Bullring, Flagstaff Forest, Firebreak, Flagstaff walkway. E. Leaders: Bruce and Marjorie.
Cars met at the Bullring.
Of special interest was the presence with us of the Reverend Maggie Wanjiku Muhia, co-minister with her husband of a church in Nairobi, Kenya comprising 3,000 members and 50 staff, visiting for a fortnight with St Lukes congregation.
As a variation, the leaders took us back down the Whare Flat road we had driven up, to enter Flagstaff Forest at Laings Road. We followed its various up and down meanderings till a sunny spot, relatively free of the heavily-dewed Yorkshire Fog grass alongside the road could be found. A leisurely cuppa and then onwards to soon join with Longridge Road whose steeper incline returned us to the Bullring. Circuit one done.
Then we followed the variously named Firebreak/Bullock Track route which we found surprisingly wet, prompting us to step carefully as it grew steadily steeper. Near its crest, we stopped for lunch. As can be seen, the day was sunny, warm and quite still.
Pressing on, we passed the Ben Rudd turnoff, with many performing the ceremony of adding stones to the cairn there. Across and onto the Flagstaff walkway and the climb to the trig. En route, George was keen to show us the new side track leading to a seat with a commanding view under a large rock outcrop.
We reached the trig and then it was all downhill back to the cars. Forgetting the leaders, we strung ourselves out down the track in our own groups and at our own pace. – Ian.
5. 22/2/2012. Hikers. Bullring, Flagstaff walkway.
(An alternative to the programmed Dukes Road Taieri ramble due to predicted heavy rain later in the day.)
4. 3/8/2011. Both. Bullring, Flagstaff walkway, Swampy, return Firebreak. Leaders: Margaret and Les.
3. 4/3/2009 Bullring, Flagstaff track, Swampy Track, Firebreak Track. Leaders: Evelyn.
click thumbnails to enlarge
2. 26/9/2001 Pineapple Track. From Bull Ring. Leaders: Jack & Rosemary, Catherine T
1. 13/9/2000 Pineapple Track area. From Bull Ring. Leaders: Arthur and Barbara