Taieri Recreational Tramping Club – Page 35 – Mid-week recreational and social walking group based in Mosgiel NZ

Concord Blackhead

12 km from car park
No. 103 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Concord – Blackhead – Brighton Rd Year Round”
Concord – Information and Trips Library

1. 1/7/2015. All. Midwinter Dinner. Concord Tavern. E. Leaders: Elaine and Eric.

Well! Records set. At least for the tramp. 40! Yes, 40. And 50 for the meal. Much due, this reporter suspects, to the way Elaine crafted the walk’s publicity. Easy? Well, not altogether with a bit of a climb into Abbotsford maybe a bit hard for some.

First problem was to number the carpark’s milling crowd off, but Fred got it right by standing at the corner by the road. Elaine set off at a brisk pace down …

… the “Main South Road” (surely it’s time to name it the Old Main South Road), around the corner at the bottom and then level walking towards Green Island. Then a stop. Question time.

Date of motorway completion? Wow. Peter had the exact answer. 1974. Take a prize! Then on. Stop again, outside an imposing gateway. What do the initials IRMO stand for?

More knew the answer this time. A prize again. Onward. Stop – outside Harraways Office. Now a generous distribution …

… of complimentary Oats Singles packets. Take more than one. Onward again. Across rise where most recalled the railway line that once crossed the road. To collect coal from Saddle Hill once, someone said. Last stop, at the curly beginning of the impressive overhead footbridge, spanning Kaikorai Stream, the motorway, …

… bush, and finally the railway before turning right into Neill Street and left into Matthew Street, and second entrance on our left into a property with a wonderful back covered porch.

A further surprise. We were regaled with mulled wine or soup served in pottles with generous refills. (A recent email from Elaine says a further whole thermos of mulled wine got overlooked. – Damn, as she so feelingly put it.) Next, in through a door leading under the house to view …

.. a model train set.( This reporter can testify it was even more elaborate than any he saw at the recent display put on at Wobblies.) It was N gauge (9mm). Unfortunately, the owner didn’t have it going, lest he exposed himself to an embarrassing derailment. Too bad. It was capable of running two trains at once. There’s a wealth of ancillary detail also, all to scale. A close study will prove most rewarding! To this reporter, this is the engineering equivalent of close needlework.

After this wonderful surprise break, it was back down Matthew Street and away along Neill Street to our left to reach a hidden pedestrian underpass at the foot of Armstrong Lane …

… and to emerge onto a little path that skirted round to the foot of Harraway Road, across a Kaikorai Stream bridge, out onto the “Main South Road” and back to the Concord Tavern for the Dinner. Here we met with the non-walkers and filled an almost overcrowded dining room. Some of us neglected to pick our table first as we found we were supposed to (including this reporter) before we lined up at the servery to place our meal order, but waiters found us eventually and all was well.

Again, due to Elaine’s homework with her sponsors, there were little prezzies on the tables and under-the-seat tickets for rewards. What a girl she is!

So, thanks to Elaine and Eric for such an imaginative midwinter dinner function effort. Well done, to put it mildly. – Ian.

16/8/2000. Concord – Blackhead. Leaders: Les W, Diana and Ray.

26/5/1999 Concord from Tavern to Blackhead. Leaders: Jean, Ngaire, Bev McI.

19/5/1993 Concord Corner, Blackhead, Beach, Brighton Road, Allan Road, Green Island Bush Road. Round Trip. Leaders: Jack, Rosemary, Joyce I, Joyce S

23/9/1989 Concord Hills from Wine and Spirits carpark. Easy+ Leaders: George, Ria L, Pam, Ria H

Topiary Trek.

Five intrepid (or foolish!!) tramper/hikers (of Kepler fame!) turned up for 9.30 a.m. start at the car park in spite of heavy deluge. President Les made a brief appearance to say he wasn’t going, and Lester turned up and left again when he dicovered the furthest we were going was to Topiary Café for morning rather than afternoon coffee. So, that is where Jill, Pat, Judy, Elaine and I duly proceeded [Meaning? – Ed.] to. We sat on the comfortable couches and relaxed and enjoyed coffee, pikelets and stimulating conversation.

5 Happy Hikers on a wet Wednsday (Bev pic and caption)

Back to car park and to own cars and pursuits.

I went and did usual grocery shop and then took 3/4 hr to get to my home in Dunedin, with much aqua planing and “deep river” crossings!!
Better than just sitting at home watching the rain. – Bev.

Neehoff Farm, Hindon.

23 km from car park.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Berwick Waipori River walk

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

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

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

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

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

Returning,…

Bev Bridge — The Bev Harvey Bridge. Caution – Height Limit. (to replace yet another forgotten photo-take on the way in)

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

Stone house in excellent condition (another after-thought photo)

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

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

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

Protected: Committee Minutes 11/2/2015

Protected: Committee Minutes 14/1/2015

Protected: Committee Minutes 3/11/2014

Luxmore, 13-27 Sept 2014.

Two intrepid trampers, geared up for a week,

With lots of lovely tucker, as adventure we did seek.

We drove down to Te Anau – not raining, but it tried;

They gave us our instructions, and a helicopter ride.

Swooping up to Luxmore, …

Hut — Swooping up to Luxmore (Judy pic, caption Ed.)

… firewood swung below,

We landed on the helipad, then inside we did go.

Our rooms were nice and cosy, the fire was blazing well.

The views were quite stupendous …

… (and the toilet didn’t smell).

We stacked away the firewood, and made ourselves at home.

(It didn’t seem to matter that I hadn’t brought a comb).

It snowed and blew and snowed again, the rain began to pour.

The sun shone for a little while, and then it snowed some more.

Our week was really busy, we met a lot of folks.

They came from all around the world, (there were some hunky blokes).

We carried water, chopped up wood, and even cleaned the loos.

And in the evenings, by the fire, we sank a bit of booze.

Our meals were really yummy, (we both can cook quite well).

We wafted to the hut below, a tantalising smell.

DVDs to watch at night, and lots of books to read.

Lots of cuppas through the day, and then, another feed.

Elaine worked the radio, and kept us up to date

With weather forecasts as they came, so trampers knew their fate.

Some of them were ill-equipped, one lot had no food.

Others came with blisters, and one was really rude.

But most of them were friendly, they came with good intent,

Ready to enjoy themselves, and think their time well spent.

Many were from overseas, and thought our country great.

To walk upon our other tracks, they really couldn’t wait.

Judy chopped some firewood – she got whacked on the leg.

Elaine put some ice on, it came up like an egg.

A good excuse for loafing, Elaine did the chores,

While Judy sat with glass in hand, and watched her wash the floors.

We wandered up Mt Luxmore, right up we tried to go,

But didn’t finally make it, because of thigh-deep snow.

The week flew by so quickly, with little time to spare.

With such a great experience, we’re going back next year! – Judy, prompted by Elaine.

Ian. An addition from a later date: May 2015 Report excerpt from:

Kepler Kiwi Catching – By Southern Contractors for Fiordland Conservation Trust

“…. we arrived at the hut just after dark to find that our message hadn’t been received and the two volunteer wardens, Judy Knox and Elaine Day, didn’t know we were coming. With 70+ trampers making the most of the first weekend off season and fine forecast Judy and Elaine had bodies on mattresses coming out their ears but they were most accommodating and kindly set us up in the wardens quarters. We fuelled up and headed out at 2000.

…

“We arrived back at the hut just after 0400 for a few hours zzzs on the hut warden’s spare bunk and floor.

“Trip diary: 2^nd

“We woke up with the light but were feeling quite jaded after the big night and less than three hours sleep and so we didn’t make it out the door till 1045.” – Ian.

Outram Glen and Traquair/Whare Creek. Cartwright Track

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

6. 15/9/2014.
Just been reading some of your website on this short track. You may like to know that when we were talking to the gentleman at the museum last week, he told us that the track was put in to take supplies of piping etc up the burn for the Outram water supply. Also, if you go to the end of that track, & then cross the burn, there is a track up the other side, & up there is a valve, & some old piping. So it seems that the track has nothing to do with the old mill that was there, as it got it’s water from the race that you & I found in the paddocks above the road.
He has some old photos of the area as well, but they are not very good ones. There is also a water wheel [working] at the museum, which I think he said was the old mill wheel. – Ken

5. 10/9/2014. Trampers. Outram Glen & Traquair/Whare Creek.

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

4. 5/5/2012. Whare Creek Outram Council weir. Ken and Ian.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gathering potatoes near Lee Stream outlet.

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

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

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

Street Walk: Patmos Avenue

Abt 18 km from car park

10/9/2014 Street Walk: Hikers. Patmos Avenue, Pine Hill, round trip. M. Leaders: Bev and Adrienne.

Route. Cars, Patmos Ave, Maxwelton St, Pinehill Rd, Abbeyhill Rd, Cambells Rd, Hillary St, Dover St, Pinehill Rd, Fea St, SH1, George St, Woodhaugh Gardens, part Woodhaugh St, Lower Ross Creek tracks environs, Malvern St, Cars.

23 hikers left cars in Malvern St on a sunny no clouds day. No wind either.
We made our way up Patmos Ave, across the over-bridge of the motor way and on to Maxwelton St.
Does anyone know how this or who this street is named after? Somewhere on this journey we stopped for morning tea.
We passed some very old buildings on the way and there are some historical houses of significance from the
early days. At the end of this wee story there should be some web sites listed than you can pursue if you wish.
At the end of Maxwelton St we moved over to Pine Hill Rd.

Dunedin panorama; taken from Pine Hill Rd up behind Pine Hill.

We travelled down to 444 Pine Hill Rd and then up an alley onto Campbell Rd and then continued on down hill. Love down hills!
We arrived again at Pine Hill Rd. Lunch was at a small park.

We walked on down to Woodhaugh Gardens. None of us got run over on the way.

Woodhaugh walk — Woodhaugh Gardens Leith River walk.

Woodhaugh Gardens are a pleasure to walk thru. My parents told me that in 1923/4 they did all of their courting there.
That was what it was called. The bird life was great to listen to. Walking thru the tracks in the gardens we passed the old quarry that closed in 1949 … and the old pub on the corner of Malvern St and Woodhaugh St was only open from 1888 till 1892. This hotel is getting a major makeover, which is good.

The views we had today looking over Dunedin are well worth the climb and the leadership by Bev was awesome even though she didn’t look like a hiker. Too well dressed in her high viz vest and pink nails. Adrienne did a good back up. No one and I mean NO ONE got behind her. Don’t forget to check out the sites. – Elaine.

<a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Hill,_New_Zealand#The_upper_slopes”>The upper slopes</a>

<a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Hill,_New_Zealand#Liberton”>Liberton</a>

<a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Hill,_New_Zealand#Dalmore”>Dalmore</a>

12/5/2010. Street Walk: Hikers. Patmos Avenue. Leaders: Bev, Lesley.

Grahams Bush, Upper Junction, Brickhill Rd

Grahams Bush botanical information.

Grahams Bush reserve was originally the site of sawmills and brick kilns operated by David Bethune in the 1880s, and became city council property in 1955.
Parking: Church Grounds. Distance from car-park: 27 km.

Grahams Bush, Organ Pipes, Buttars Peak, Mt Cargill – Information and Trips Library

6/8/2014. Both. Hall Rd, Grahams Bush, Mt Cargill Rd, Upper Junction Rd, Brickhill Rd, Stevenson Ave. Leaders: Lester, Ian. (As it turned out, there was no appointed tramper leader there on the day.)

A perforce Hikers’ report.

This was one of those first of the month tramps for both trampers and hikers to get together. However at the car park on the church grounds, there was no sign of the trampers. We waited and questioned whether they had got lost. They had left the Bush Road car park before us. Where had they gone? We eventually set off without them on the long walk up Hall Road and on along the initial farm 4WD route to stop for a cuppa at the track turn-off.

For quite a few of us this was their first time on this route and they spoke appreciatively about the lovely bush. Rain the night before had made the track muddy in places. We were pleasantly surprised by beautiful bird calls, more than experienced on previous occasions.

The steep grade gets no easier, but eventually we emerged onto the Mt Cargill road be be greeted by the small group of three trampers. They had left the car park early before the rest of us, had apparently driven right past the church car park in Station Rd and (cunningly? shorter distance!) parked further up Hall Road, and carried on ahead. So it was not to be a together day after all, even up to a morning tea stop!

Anyway, after our brief meeting at the Mt Cargill Road car park, (so we were together briefly after all) they were off to further ascend Mt Cargill while the we stopped off for a leisurely lunch. Some of the hikers ventured a short distance up the track after lunch and returned back down again.

Hikers’ lunch at the car park on Mt Cargill Road

We set off along the old Mt Cargill Rd in a very orderly single file, quite a number of us wearing high-viz jackets. Perhaps it was these that encouraged passing drivers to noticeably slow down as they passed. We turned down Upper Junction Road and were interested to see how the slip at the bottom had been repaired. After the last grouping at Brickhill Rd, we straggled on to our cars back at the church park grounds. At 16, there was only half the usual number of hikers, and we suspected some had wisely decided their fitness was no longer up to the steep climb of the day. Another fine day, bracketed by bad weather on either side. We were so lucky. – Ian.

A Trampers’ report.

3 trampers left Sawyers Bay before the hikers arrived, as they got tired of waiting around ! The walk up through Grahams Bush was a little damp after rain on the previous night, but the bird life made the walk more pleasant.
After morning tea, with still no sign of the hikers, we walked to the top road,

*At the top road (Heb pic and caption?)*

where we waited for approx 40mins. for them to arrive. After this, we walked up the Organ Pipes track, stopping to view the tumbled down remains of the pipes,

then went on to Butters Peak junction,

*Buttars Peak Junction (Heb pic and caption?)*

where lunch was had in the sunshine.
The return trip was uneventful, & the birds once again kept us company. – Ian Hebberd? – per Ken.

1/8/2012. Both. Grahams Bush, Mt Cargill Rd, Upper Junction Rd, Brickhill Rd, Hall Rd. Leaders: Pat, Ken.

GPS of route, courtesy Ken.
10.5 km distance.
3.7km/h moving ave.
2hr 48min moving time.
379mtrs. total ascent.
394 max elevation.

3/11/2010. Both. Grahams Bush, Mt Cargill Rd, Upper Junction Rd, Brickhill Rd, Hall Rd. Leaders: Fred, Elaine.

A goodly number of 21 of us set off for the round trip. We stopped at the turn-off into the bush for morning tea. Evelyn has apparently suffered an early bad fall but soldiered on.

Continue reading “Grahams Bush, Upper Junction, Brickhill Rd”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Protected: Committee Minutes 11/6/2014

Fort Hill, Barnes and Circle Hill Roads, Milburn.

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

42 km from car park.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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