Taieri Recreational Tramping Club
Mid-week recreational and social walking group based in Mosgiel NZ
26/06/2024. Whare Flat. Hikers. Grade 2.5. 11km. Leaders: Bruce Spittle, Adrienne Ensor.
Sixteen hikers assembled at 0950 after parking on the side of the Silverstream Valley Road near the McKerrow Bridge Fields near the end of the tar sealed part of the road, 3.74 km along the road. Continue reading “Whare Flat, Waiora, Schoolhouse, Tunnels Track, McRaes Weir, Racemans”
This page of club tramps and hikes in the Whare Flat area groups together trips within the Silverstream catchment and includes Racemans, Tunnel Gully, Powder Creek and Chalkies.
Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
Racemans Track, Weir, Origins.
Whare Flat School and Surrounds History.
14/08/2024. Tunnel Gully, McRaes, Racemans, Powder Creek Detour. Trampers. Leaders: Phil Keene & Gary Mort.
26/06/2024. Whare Flat, Waiora, Schoolhouse, Tunnels Track, McRaes Weir, Racemans. Hikers. Leaders: Bruce Spittle, Adrienne Ensor.
Pump House, Tunnels, McRaes Weir, Racemans, Return (2004 – 2020, 10 trips with 6 reports).
Schoolhouse, Tunnels, McRaes Circuit (1989 – 2019, 9 trips with 6 reports).
Silverstream Water-Race, Racemans, Weir (1992 – 2023, 21 trips with 6 reports).
Tramps Associated with the Whare Flat Schoolhouse (1995 – 2017, 5 trips with 3 reports).
School House, Tunnels, McRaes, Steve Amies, Whare Flat Road Return. 2007 (1 trip with report – no photos)
Continue reading “Pump House, Tunnels, McRaes Weir, Racemans, Return”
Tunnel and Racemans tracks 31/7/19
The threatening weather report did not deter 16 keen trampers’ from turning up ready for a walk. The trip to Mt Watkins was postponed because of some of the track’s lack of shelter to the elements. It was decided to walk the tunnel and raceman’s tracks because they are in the shelter of native bush.
We parked and left from the school house area on Whare flat road. The tracks were in very good condition but a bit wet and muddy in places.
It was pleasant walking along the track adjacent to the old water race. Morning tea was appropriately had along from one of the tunnels.
The Silverstream water race was built between 1877 and 1881 and consisted of nearly 30km of open races, sluices, tunnels and weirs. In 1920 a pump was installed. Later pipes were partially in stalled with little success. It was abandoned in the 1960s.
We continued on walking briskly to ensure that we all kept warm. The native bush with all its array of greens was a pleasant sight. Lunch was had just before a creek crossing that could have been more challenging to cross!
We headed back using a detour to avoid a loop on racemans. The bird song was pleasant on some parts of the tracks. The sun even briefly shone through the trees at times.
On reaching our cars, after a few creek crossings,
we had completed 15.8 km. A good walk with plenty of cool fresh air! The temperature was 5 degrees when we returned to Mosgiel.
It was a pleasure to share Helen’s birthday with coffee and cakes at Blend. – Dave
As I was recovering from two weeks off with a very sore back, [damaged while gardening — be aware, it’s not good for your health !!] I decided that I was going to turn back here, so I informed the others of my intentions, & they all said they would be happy to go back with me. [7km at this point]. So we retraced our steps back to the cars at the old school house, clearing some storm damaged vegetation as we went along.
The track was in mostly dry condition with only the odd muddy patch to contend with, & the creek crossings were very shallow.
walked 14km
4.3km/h
3h 15mins moving.
climbed 147m. – Ken.
Also, looking very sad is the old Racemans shed.
It has a tree which has fallen right across the top of it, & the roof has completely gone.
We only got as far as the creek crossing with the rope on it, when we gave up the struggle, as the creek was choked with fallen trees, & we could hardly see the other side where you climb out of the creek with the help of the rope. We backtracked to an unmarked side track down to the Silverstream, where we found a picnic table to have lunch at.
It was then a short walk out to the pumphouse at Whare Flat, & then back up the road to the cars at the old School house. Distance 8.2km, ave 4km/hr. – Ken.
We made our way back on down to join with the McRaes Track and along to the weir. At this point, Dorothy, recovering from a hip injury wisely declined the steep rope-assisted climb up the further back of the stream and accompanied by three others, returned back the way we had come and down from there by a link track to meet us later at the Pumphouse.
The rest of us carried on around the McRaes track to lunch at the point where it links with the Racemans.
Down the Racemans and on to the swing bridge. Some elected to cross it and risk the depth of the water at the Pumphouse ford but most went by more hilly track along the Silverstream true left.
Up to that point, we were well led by Fred and Elaine, but from here on it was ‘Brown’s Cows’ back up the r0ad to the cars. We were all back home in time for afternoon tea.
Twenty-two. Whew! An impressive turn-out. – Ian.
Lunch was slightly early, as we remained conscious of the forecast rain. We felt its first drops as we finished lunch. We heard the patter of rain on the leaves above us as we made our way back down the hill. We emerged onto the road by the alternative exit and walked back up to the cars with only the lightest of rain sprinkling us. A nice dry morning out, on a nice dry track in nice bush. – Ian.
4. 28/9/2011. Hikers. Pumphouse, road, Schoolhouse, Tunnels, McRaes Weir, Racemans, Pumphouse . Leaders: Peter and Wendy.
21 of us started the Tunnels track just up from the old Schoolhouse and down the track a little were soon admiring a railed bridge over a ditch and a new track complete with steps around the top of a large slip, put in by Neil and his group of track repairers. The track gently climbed to its top point over the race tunnel where we stopped for an early morning tea under pines, resting on their bed of thick pine needles.
From there we descended the Racemans to pass the old Silverstream weir and inspected the weir from which water is now piped to the pumphouse. We elected to return via the swing-bridge because there had been a tree-fall over the true-left track. Crossing the ford at the other end was not the happiest part of the walk for some. Then it was just 2 km back up the road to the cars parked at the old Schoolhouse. The day was perfectly calm with much of it sunny, if not hot. It had been a good day. – Ian
… falling, …
… 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.
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.
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.)
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, …
… the talking hardly lessening, …
… and we topped out at 10.45 a.m.
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.
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,
& back along Racemans
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 …
16. 15/10/2014. Trampers. Little Coal Creek, Steve Amies. H.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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
4. 9/7/2003. Trampers. Tunnels, McRaes, Steve Amies, North Coal Creek, Racemans.Medium. Leaders: Irene, Doug J.
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
11 kms to Silverstream car park.
Whare Flat – Information and Trips Library
Tunnels, McRaes, Racemans, Top Weir, Silverstream – Information and Trips Library
30. 22/2/2017. Hikers. Whare Flat. Leaders: Peter D, Janice.
Whare Flat/McRaes Weir (not quite) Wednesday 22nd Feb
26 happy hikers on a lovely sunny morning – what could go wrong?
Seven opted to drive up to the locked gate on Rollinson Rd and walk on to the start of the Steve Amies Track, where they enjoyed a pleasant amble to the picnic area and a leisurely lunch in the sun, before returning to the cars and off to Topiary for the usual coffee stop.
Little did they know of the drama that was developing below….
The other 19 left the cars at the park near the pump house, and set off up the track on the steep grunt that takes longer but avoids the water crossing and the possibility of wet feet.
However, Ian opted to do the shorter, easier version, risking wet boots, and meeting us in the clearing just past the swing bridge.
Ian reached the clearing safely and with plenty of time. In his own words –
’Ho hum. Oh! Time to get out the puffer and see how it might get me up the next climb and manage to avoid that first 5 min. heavy breathing before the blood vessels adjust and let me get away. Bummer.
(I had not used it for ever so long as usually I remember when it’s too late to use. It’s worked well on earlier occasions, but not in this case, standing, waiting, for such a long time before climbing.)
Started to feel faint. Got worse. Lay down, ended looking like a wee gnome in the grass, as one of you said. The rest you know better than I do!!!’
So, here was Ian, looking worse by the minute. While he was attended to by those with medical experience, we debated the options.
It seemed at this point that Ian was recovering – his colour was better and he was lucid. Two people set off for the cars. Over the swing bridge and just past the gate to the road they realised the house on the right was occupied. But no landline and still no cell phone coverage. The wonderful lady (who had a key to the gate!) drove them out to the cars. One went on to get coverage and call for help. The other returned, to find that Ian’s condition had worsened, necessitating CPR. Gulp. Back down the road – kind lady again drove. The police car was met at the (un)locked gate and immediately radioed URGENT to the ambulance.
Things happened fast. In just over an hour from Ian’s collapse the ambulance was at the swing bridge and Ian was stabilised and stretchered across the bridge, and off to A & E.
It was now 11.30 and we were all rather shell-shocked. Five decided to call it a day. Two went to break the news to Shirley, and the other three heading home.
The remaining 13 headed up the track to the next clearing where a very sober lunch was had. Then up the track we climbed to McRaes Weir Track. It was decided that the weir could wait for another day, and we headed back along the race track to the road and down to the cars, with rain starting to fall and the track becoming muddy and slippery.
Coffee at Topiary was welcome!
Thanks to everyone for the able assistance that was provided in so many ways. Ian is fine – he had a reaction to the ‘puffer’ and after tests and checks, was allowed home that evening.
LESSONS LEARNED:
29. 1/5/2013 Both. Steve Amies. Leaders: Ian and George.
This time we left from the schoolhouse, making it more of a road walk. We had morning tea on the lower Rollinson Rd and lunch in the track clearers’ picnic area, after inspecting the helicopter landing pad a little beyond.
As we returned down the road, we were surprised to see the helicopter, and shortly after the tank truck making their way towards where we had been. Apparently this was the day to carry out the weed spraying we had been notified about – and we were now making a timely exit. A tramp for 25 of us and of 10.5 km according to Peter’s pedometer and 25. – Ian.
26. 15/6/2011. Trampers. Schoolhouse, Tunnels, McRaes, Racemans, ret. Medium.
6. 23/10/1996. Trig Q. Average. Leaders: Margaret and Les, Doug J.
5. 7/6/1995 Trig Q from Whare Flat School. Medium+. Shorter trip available. Leaders: Bob H, George, Jack R, Nancy
No. 57 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps.
Ten trampers set off from the Old School House at Whare flat on a beautiful sunny day without a cloud in the sky. Another “Wonderful Wednesday” Leonie was heard to comment. We followed Tunnels Track which is part of the Racemans’ walkways. This follows the old black, and now somewhat dilapidated water pipe that used to take water all the way from here to the Southern reservoir in Dunedin. This has significant historical interest and brochures and maps about Racemans are available at the Tourist Centre.This led into the McRaes Track and then on to the Steve Amies Track. This climb got our hearts racing and our brows sweating but worth all the effort to arrive at that wonderful picnic spot at the top. Here there are picnic tables in all sorts of nooks and crannies with great views over to Chalkies and the Taieri Plains. There are many planted trees and plaques to well known trampers, and a recent plaque to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the WEA tramping club that was founded by Steven Amies. There are several options trampers can take from here but our leaders opted to go back via the access road and back to our cars. We enjoyed the company of a visitor, Ken, and despite unfortunately locking his keys in the car we hope he enjoyed it enough to come back again.