#30 of 100 trips for 100 years - Cloud Forest Of Leith - Escarpment Track - Three Peaks Track 4 February 2023

 

When the thermometer hits more than 30°C the most sensible thing to do would be a swim at the beach, instead we opted for a walk - up a hill from Sullivans Dam up to Mt Cargill / Kapukataumahaka via the Cloud Forest and Escarpment Tracks and return via the Three Peaks Track. We had already been over the Cloud Forest and  Escarpment Tracks in November during the Trip #13 Complete Skyline and I was interested to see if our dry summer had any effect on how much mud we would encounter on the Escarpment Track.

Maybe it was the heat or maybe it was the reputation of the notoriously muddy Escarpment Track but whatever the reason, there ended up being only two of us brave enough to face both the heat and the Escarpment Track.  We started our adventure by walking around Sullivans Dam with the surrounding hills reflected in it's dark and tranquil waters. We stopped for a few minutes at the outlet of the dam where we had, had lunch on trip #15 Leith Saddle-Morrison Burn-Sullivans Dam  to enjoy the calm and peace of the place before following the track into the relative cool of the bush and continued around the side of the dam to the start of the Cloud Forest of Leith Track.

The Cloud Forest of Leith track has become overgrown in places with ferns covering the board walk making it difficult to see where to put your feet, although mostly this part of the track is relatively straightforward and easy to negotiate.  Despite being in the shade of the native bush the temperature was rising and the sweat was starting to flow with the constant uphill gradient. Emerging from the bush, into the full sun at the power lines we were rewarded with great views towards Waitati and Warrington and around to Mihiwaka and Mt Kettle. 

After a short drink stop we crossed the open ground under the power lines before heading back into the bush and onto the Escarpment Track.  The condition of the track hasn't improved much since our last visit in November.  The undergrowth of ferns is quite thick along the track, making it difficult to see your feet along with the track and the ever present obstacles of tree roots, fallen trees and mud. Thankfully with all the dry weather recently there was only minimal mud and what mud there is, is firm and porridge like so we clambered up Pigeon Rock with relatively clean boots.   As always Pigeon Rock is a perfect place to stop for a drink and snack while taking in the uninterrupted views of Swampy Summit and around to the northern Silver Peaks, Mt Watkin, Blueskin Bay and the Kakanuis in the distance. 

The next part of the track involves finding your way through the pine plantation which is not as easy as it once was.  The pine trees are now a few years old and being taller than a person means that you need to keep a close eye on the markers to ensure you continue in the right direction.  It feels a little like walking in circles but by sticking to the makers we were rewarded with arriving on the Mt Cargill road with no wrong turns. 

By now the sun was high in the sky and the temperature was pushing into the 30°C's and we had a kilometre or so of road walking ahead of us but on the plus side - we had done all the uphill and there was only downhill ahead of us now.  Not wanting to be longer than necessary in the full force of the sun we turned right and walked down the road 15 minutes to the Three Peaks track.  The first part of Three Peaks track is a lovely section with the trees interlocking branches overhead creating an open green tunnel to walk through. Eventually we reached the end of the tunnel and emerging back into the sun, on another four wheel drive road which we followed back to the power lines. 

Now we had completed a large loop and were on the final home stretch so we stopped for a short drink stop and then back into the shade of the bush.  Going down through the ferny undergrowth is no easier than going up, still can't see our feet but at least we had gravity on our side.  Before we knew it we had reached Sullivans Dam and then it was a short walk around the outside of the dam to complete another loop and we were back at the car, happy to finish a very hot 10.5 km walk in 3.5 hours.