A Walk In The Dunedin Hills – May 2012
With a long weekend approaching some of our party were out to test themselves for the up and coming trip. Strong northwesters and some rain predicted didn’t stop nine members of the N.O.T.M.C. from an 8am start. The journey to Dunedin encountered heavy rain at first then sunshine as we neared our start point, the car park over Williams Creek Waitati Valley Road.
Following the Pipeline track which is mostly flat going was a good warm up for the Rustlers Ridge Track. A steady climb in the shelter of the surrounding bush with the melody of bird song along the way bought us to the lookout knoll above Burns Saddle. A snack break in the shelter of the flax bushes was enjoyed before moving on to the junction of tracks on the saddle. Burns Track having been recently cut made for easy going to the intersection of Swampy Track. As we made our way up Swampy Track the strong nor-wester made its presence felt , but the views at the top were worth it . Lunch in the shelter of a nearby building where the wind was all but forgotten then back out onto the road and wind around to the Leith Saddle Track. A stop at the look out point for some more excellent views over Dunedin then on down to the shelter of the bush and the pathway back to the road. A short road walk back to the cars concludes a nice leisurely day out.
Thanks to, Bess, Bev, Dave, John, Bill, Neville, Linda, Phyl, – Maurice
