#90 of 100 trips for 100 years - Trotters Gorge 10 September 2023

 

The first OTC trip to Trotters Gorge was in 1930 where they traveled by train to the closest station, however with no train available today, twelve people took the easier option of a one hour car drive to Trotters Gorge.  The plan was for two short walks with each following a different tributary of Trotters Creek.  The first walk took us around the Trotters Gorge Loop Track which takes around 1.5 hours with the track entering the native podocarp bush at the southern end of the picnic area and follows the creek past impressive river sculptured cliffs and caves. Leaving the creek, the track climbs 100m through broadleaf forest to the ridge where we made the short detour to the bluffs which are hard, rough rocks with fossils visible. These ancient sedimentary rocks are very old and were deposited during the period when Zealandia was still separating from Gondwana.   We scrambled up onto the bluffs and were rewarded with views that looked out to the coast and further into the gorge itself, seeing the wonderful exposed rock formations that are the result of ancient braided rivers that deposited sediment en masse as the river flowed to the sea. 

We found a nice spot for a morning tea break before heading down the other side of the ridge, through native kanuka forest back to the gorge which we followed back to the picnic ground at the start.  Being too early for lunch we continued on our walk, first crossing the creek and following a narrow path through a rock tunnel and along beside Trotters Creek where we marveled at the clear water. This would be a magic spot during summer with so many perfect swimming holes, each surrounded by the lush, green bush.  

After crossing the creek several times, although none were difficult crossings with the creek being so low,  we reached the Otago University Tramping Club's hut where we stopped for an early lunch.  This hut and large flat area in front of it has been popular for OTMC socials and picnics over the years, particularly with the deep swimming hole right out the front of the hut.  Sadly today, the swimming hole is no more as it has been filled with gravel as the result of numerous floods over the years, despite this, the hut is still a nice place to visit and we made use of the deck for lunch.  After eating, we headed further up the creek, crossing a couple more times before climbing a small hill to a rocky outcrop where some of us ventured out onto the rocky promontory for more great views. 

From this vantage point we were able to see more of the wonderful rock bluffs that had been carved out many millennia ago.   The wilding pines and gorse are getting a good foothold on the cliffs and it will only be a few more years before the impressive rock bluffs are lost behind a wall of trees. From this vantage point we were able to look down onto the track that we walked along before climbing up onto the rocky bluff. 

Knowing that others were waiting on us, we scrambled back along the rocky shoulder to the safety of the trees and clambered back down to the track where we able to look back up to where we had been standing earlier.  Impressive to see the sheer rock cliffs that we had been standing on and glad to be back on firm ground again, although it is sad to see the wilding pines taking over.  

Once back at the bottom of the cliff it was a fast 40 minute walk back along the side of Trotters Creek with it's numerous crossings before we caught up with the tail end of the group just as they were arriving back at the picnic area.  It had been a fun day with two short walks that had only whetted our appetite to come back and explore the area a bit more.

#89 of 100 trips for 100 years - Nicols Creek - Powerline Track - Morrisons Burn 9 September 2023

 

While the trip today was over part of last weekend's route, the weather was a complete contrast - from last weekend's mist with no views to stunning blue skies and spectacular views galore!  Seven of us set off from the Nicols Creek car park with the first 1.5km being a road walk up Leith Valley Road to the Morrison Burn track, which we had come down on trip #15.  After passing through the gate, the Morrison Burn track follows a maintenance road for a short distance before turning off onto a track through the native bush.  The track winds it's way uphill, over tree roots and through the odd muddy section, under gnarly fushia trees, through ferns and beneath the giant fern leaves of the punga.  After about half an hour we emerged out of the bush onto the Powerline track, which as the name suggests, follows a row of powerlines to the top. The higher we climbed, the more the views opened out behind with the vegetation changing to the flax. 

Taking our time we continued uphill climbing 600m from the car park to the top of Swamp Summit where we stopped for a breather and take in the views.  Deciding that it was too early in the day to head back down, we took a detour over the top of Swampy Summit.  First we followed the gravel road to the Flight Radar or UFO as it is commonly referred to.  From here we could see into the Silver Peaks, up the coast to Karitane and inland to the Rock and Pillars. The panoramic views really are spectacular from here.

Next we took the detour through the tussock to the Swampy Lagoons which we had been to on  trip #9.  There is no track to the lagoons and the ground under foot was mostly sphagnum moss so was very wet . The trick was to try and judge which bits would sink and which would bear your weight - we each had our own method with varying degrees of success.  There are a number of small lagoons and a couple of larger ones and we arrived at the larger one with mostly dry feet.  The colours in the lagoons is breathtaking with the calm, black water of the lagoon perfectly reflecting the browns, greens, yellows and oranges of the surrounding tussock. 

We each found a dry spot for lunch and enjoyed the beauty of the place while munching on our sandwiches.  After lunch, we were faced with the problem of finding the track again so we made our way through the wet, springy moss, tussock and low scrub as best we could to the track which we followed down Swampy Summit to the Moon Track.  The top part of the Moon Track passes through the tussock, beside an old fence and onto the  mountain bike track which zig zag's down the hill, winding through the large rock tors before passing into the native bush .

At bush line, we diverted off the mountain bike track, onto the walking track which takes a much more direct route down the hill.  The walking track crosses the bike track regularly so care is needed to stick to the walking track.  Despite having seen a number of mountain bikers setting off early in the day, we saw or heard no one on either the walking or biking track. The Moon Track initially drops 300m to a lovely vantage point where we stopped for a short break to take in the stunning views of the city.

Then it was down another 200m back to the cars, passing Nicols Falls where we stopped in the cool of the gorge to catch our breath.  The final push saw us back at the car 6 hours and 16.2km's after starting and no wonder we were feeling a little tired, after having climbed/descended nearly 800m. 

#87 of 100 trips for 100 years - Nicols Creek-Unnamed Track-Pineapple Track 3 September 2023

 

This trip had been planned for those who couldn't make it to the Pineapple Point seat opening on 1 September to visit the site.  Waking to Flagstaff covered in cloud didn't bode well for good views at Pineapple Point but that didn't seem to deter the 10 people that turned up to explore some of the lesser used trails on their way to Pineapple Point.  The track starts at Nicols Falls carpark and follows an old 4x4 wheel drive track to the sheer walled canyon popular with night walkers for the glow worms.  Before reaching the canyon, the track to Nicols Falls branches off on the left and climbs steadily in a series of zig zags before cutting into the gully and crossing the creek below the falls.

The canyon and falls are quite impressive, especially if you make the effort to scramble over the moss  covered boulders for a closer look. Back onto the track which climbs steeply out of the canyon and then proceeds up onto the Moon Track. Care needs to be taken as the Moon Track crosses the mountain bike trails often and it is easy to take the mountain bike trail which winds it's way back and forth, traveling a large distance with relatively small height gain while the Moon Track heads more or less straight up the ridge. Eventually we emerged from the bush into the eerie fog and a brief break to refuel with snacks and a drink.

From here our journey became a little tricky as we negotiated our way to the start of an unnamed track that was more of a 'vague route'  through the bush as it sidles around the the top of the gully and heads towards the Pineapple Track.  This was the part of the trip that I was looking forward to as it is a track that I have not been on.  The unnamed track is a little muddy in places although easy enough to follow for those who have confidence in their foot placement.  The track is narrow, has plenty of tree roots and rocks to climb over with some steep drops off  to the side but also very pretty with ferns covering the ground and twisted fushia overhead.  We passed what must be the largest cabbage tree in the valley and it sure is one of the biggest and healthiest I have seen with a massive trunk reaching above the forest canopy.  From the cabbage tree, it wasn't far to the Pineapple Track and back to the newly opened seat for lunch, sadly with no view as we were still in the fog.

From the seat on Pineapple Point it is a 300m descent down the Pineapple Track to Booth Road. As we descended down the hill, we dropped below the fog and were able to see some of the city as it emerged from the fog.  We have been on this part of track a number of times over the past few months and it was good to be able to walk in pairs on the wide track and chat.  Once at Booth Road we had about a kilometre of easy road walking back to the cars.

#86 of 100 trips for 100 years - Pineapple Point Lookout 1 September 2023

 

 

September 1, 1923, was the day the Otago Tramping Club set out for it's first tramp, with a Saturday afternoon walk to Flagstaff via the Ross Bush Track and Pineapple Point. 100 years ago, around 50 foundation members joined the trip, and the day was reported as ‘most exhilarating’. To mark the 100th anniversary of that first tramping trip, a group set out at 1pm, taking the Ross Bush Track (also known as the 'old pineapple track') while a few others went up the more traditional Pineapple Track route. 

Our trip started at Booth Road car park and was straight into a 100m climb to the water treatment station and this is where our path diverged from those going via the 'new' Pineapple Track.  The Ross Bush Track (also known as the 'old' Pineapple Track), heads into the native podocarp forest directly behind the water treatment station.  We have been down this track on trip #72 and trip #77 however this was the first time we had been up the track.  The track goes almost in a straight line for a short distance till it crosses the McGowan Track and here the work really began. The track climbs another 160m up through the native forest on a narrow track that climbs over tree roots and rocks while winding it's way ever upwards, pushing through ferns and under the twisted, papery branches of the Fushia, eventually popping out of the bush, almost at Pineapple Point around 40 minutes after starting.

We met up with the group who had gone up the 'new' Pineapple Track along with a number others who had headed up the hill earlier in the day with the intention of gathering at Pineapple Point for the official opening of the seat and lookout at 2pm. All up there were 20 of us gathered at Pineapple Point for a speech by the current OTMC president Antony, who gave a brief overview of the significance of this place in, not just the club's but also the wider city's history along with the significance of the date in the OTMC history.  

Over 100 years ago, being about half way, Pineapple Point had been a popular stopping place on the way up the hill to Flagstaff where people had stopped for a rest, and where tins of pineapple had been consumed before pushing on further up the hill.  The used pineapple tins were placed on the top of the old fence posts marking the route to the top.  Sadly the point had been lost to an infestation of broom over the past 50 or so years and it was through a number of club work parties during the past year, clearing the invasive broom that had bought the stunning city and harbour views back.  

There were club members from different era's of the club present to mark this special date with some people who joined earlier this year, up to some that had joined in the 1960's and covering every decade in between. As seemed fitting, pineapple and pineapple lumps were consumed while admiring the view, chatting and reminiscing. 

The installation of the lookout would not have been possible without Antony who has dedicated countless hours since the idea was conceived in 2019 and has seen it through to its completion. Pineapple Point is sure to become a wonderful asset to our city and will be enjoyed by generations to come.   The OTMC gift to the city even made it into an article in the Otago Daily Times

#85 of 100 trips for 100 years - The Catlins (short trips) 27 August 2023

 

The weather today was a complete contrast from yesterday but that didn't deter the 9 people who were keen to explore some short walks in The Catlins.  We made the 2 hour drive south to the McLean Falls which was the first of our short walks.  The temperature was very cold with evidence of a recent hail storm lying on the sides of the track so we donned jackets for the 20 minute walk to the falls.  The bush in The Catlins is beautiful rain forest with the trees dripping water and moss with the track being wide and graveled making for good walking beside the river.  Near the end of the track there are a number of steps that take you to McLean Falls.

The 22m McLean Falls are one of the more spectacular falls in the area and we spent some time here, taking photos and marveling at the sheer power of the water cascading over the falls.  While we could have stayed longer, we had other walks to do so with regret we headed back to the cars where our next stop was the Tautuku Estuary Walk which is a short 30 minute return walk that follows an old sawmill track through native podocarp forest.  We found the information signs dotted along the track telling us a little of the history interesting and before long we were onto the boardwalk that took over the mudflats, through the coloured jointed rush/oioi to a viewing platform in the middle of the estuary. 

We were encouraged by the blue sky that was trying to make an appearance and we enjoyed the calm and peace of the estuary.  Aware that time was getting on, we retraced our steps back to the cars and crossed the road to the Lenz Reserve which was once a sawmill site and was purchased by Forest & Bird in 1964.  Today the front part of the reserve has information signs and some historical relics from the sawmill days while the majority of the land has been left to regenerating native forest with a couple of tracks following old tram tracks. 

We opted for the short nature walk, saving the longer tramway for another day.  The bush walk was interesting as it followed the tram line up the hill and through a number of cuttings before coming to the track junction that designates the shorter nature walk.  It was about now that the fun really started with a loud noise as the it started to hail, with the large hail piercing the upper forest canopy.  As we were about half way through the walk, there was nothing we could do, except keep going.  The hail got larger and heavier as we continued walking and didn't start to ease off until we reached the end of the nature walk, changing instead to rain. 

The rain got heavier as we raced back to the cars and then drove to the Florence Hill Lookout for lunch.  The wind was blowing and the rain was still heavy so we opted for lunch in the car.  Unfortunately it appeared the rain had set in for the day so the decision was made to cut our day short and head home.  Despite not getting to complete all the walks we had intended, the day was still a lot of fun and we managed to get most of the short walks in, leaving a few meaning a return visit is needed. 

#84 of 100 trips for 100 years - Flagstaff/Swampy Summit/Swine Spur/Ben Rudds 26 August 2023

 

The day was very warm and felt like we had turned a corner from the colder temperatures of winter, so much so that the seven of set off from the Bull Ring up the Pineapple Track in t-shirt and shorts with a spring in our step. The 160m climb to Flagstaff is reasonably steep but taken at a steady pace only takes about half an hour. During our walk up the hill the sea fog that had covered the city had started to clear and we were greeted with the stunning panoramic view of the city with the tendrils of sea fog, retreating down the harbour. 

After a brief stop at Flagstaff, we continued along the Pineapple Track and took the detour of the Cross Track onto the Firebreak Track, heading towards Swampy Summit.  This part of the track is always a bit deceiving as it looks to follow the same gradient with only slight rise and falls but don't be fooled because there is a steady descent of 120m then a steep 180m climb to the broad flat crest of Swampy Summit. 

We stopped at the Swine Spur track and thought it would be a good place for lunch before dropping down into the valley but it was a little early for lunch so we continued on over Swampy Summit for about another kilometre to the 'UFO' which is a flight radar and looks a little like a UFO on the very top of Swampy Summit.  For this extra bit of effort to get here we were reward with stunning views looking towards Palmerston where all the hills looked like islands with the coast still shrouded in sea fog and miles of golden tussock in the foreground. 

After an ample amount of time admiring the views, we retraced our steps to the Swine Spur junction and each found a spot amongst the tussock for lunch.  We were feeling on top of the world with such beautiful views, gorgeous weather and the place to ourselves. After lunch we headed down Swine Spur which steeply descends down into the valley with often muddy sections to negotiate.  Most of this side of the hill is open tussock with a few scrubby bushes although we were too engrossed watching our footing to notice the views during our descent. 

Soon enough, we reached the manuka forest and followed the track as it continued down hill. Once we reached the Possum Busters track we turned left and followed it around for about an hour, past Porkies and McQuilkans tracks to the junction of Smithy's track.  We had been here before only about a month ago for trip #74 Having just lost 440m in height and after a final stream crossing, we were now faced with a steep 200m ascent up to Ben Rudds.  We each found our own pace on this uphill section and slowly wound our way up the hill, through the rhododendron dell, under the native bush canopy to the Ben Rudd shelter where we had been just last week for trip #81 for the tribute to the Family Tramping Group.

Thanks to a unanimous decision, we elected to have a rest at the shelter and replenished the energy levels with some snacks and a drink before the push up the final 100m height gain to reach the Firebreak track where we could stop and look back towards Swampy Summit and Swine Spur where we had been earlier in the day. 

We could see that the clouds were starting to thicken but the temperatures were still warm and we were pleased that we had made the most of the lovely spring like weather by getting out into the hills.  All that remained was for us to follow the Firebreak track back to the cars, chatting as we dropped 120m in height down the wide track.  It had been a really enjoyable day that had been a real mix of up and down with over  800m of ascent/descent and covered 16.2km in 6.5 hours. 

#82 of 100 trips for 100 years - OTMC Annual Dinner 23 August 2023

The Otago Tramping Club was formed at a meeting in Dunedin on August 23, 1923 – exactly 100 years later we are celebrated this milestone with the ‘OTMC Annual Dinner’. Despite the date falling on a Wednesday, 31 people enjoyed an evening of pizza at ' the usual' place for the Annual Dinner, at Filadelphio's.  

Being a Wednesday night, the place wasn't busy so we had the back room to ourselves which was perfect because we could move around and chat while waiting for our dinner to be cooked.  Most people opted for pizza but there were other options such as pasta, burgers, wedges, etc.  As there was no set tables, people chose where to sit when their food arrived and there was plenty of opportunity to move around during and after eating to be able to chat with different people.  

There was a brief pause during evening for Antony to give a brief speech at 8pm about why we were here - to celebrate exactly 100 years of tramping by the OTC/OTMC with the very first club meeting starting at 8pm on 23 August 1923.. After dinner, it seemed most people were happy to continue chatting and were in no rush to go home - that is until it became obvious that we were the last ones left and the staff had most of the restaurant tidied for the night.  

 All in all a fun night for everyone who attended and the food was delicious!