Trip Reports
Potts Hut – Hakatere Conservation Park
Tuesday, January 16th, 2018
12-14 January 2018
After two previous postponements, third time lucky was what we were hoping for, but days before departure a drought breaking rain hit the West Coast spilling large amounts of rain across The Divide to the East Coast rivers.
The trip was planned as a circuit returning via the Potts River and on an open tussock face to the car park.
With a fine overhead forecast we set off on Friday evening for Mount Somers and onto Woolshed Creek carpark to camp for the night.
On Saturday morning we were up early and drove to the Potts River carpark. Conditions were fine with low cloud overhead.
Our team of seven made their way up the true left of the river on part of the Te Araroa Trail before a gradual climb to the track leading to Mystery Lake where we had lunch. A short steep climb and a sidle then lead us to the junction of Boundary Creek and Dogs Range. Two of our party decided not to go onto Potts Hut but instead would take a look over at Boundary hut and return to camp beside Mystery Lake for the night while the other five attacked the long slog up onto the Dogs Range, described by one as undulating country.
With the clearing weather some great views were had of the Ashburton Lakes, Mesopotamia, and across to the Sinclair Range. Finally after a 1000metre climb from the car park we arrived at the high point only to be followed by a 600metre descent to an unnamed lake and then down further to Potts Hut completing a 9 hour day.
A brew, some food and a short siesta revived us at this very scenic spot. The Potts Hut was once a musterer’s place of abode, complete with dog kennels and a horse paddock.
The river was running very high and the prospects did not look good for the return leg on Sunday. After placing a marker at the river’s edge we all retired to bed hoping for a lower level in the morning.
With a 6am wake-up call a check of the river revealed only a small drop in the level but not enough to safely cross so we returned uphill and part way along the Dogs Range to a saddle where we descended down a face through tussocks and around to connect with the track leading to Mystery Lake, cutting off a considerable amount of time. This saw us back at the cars only an hour after our other two companions who had already returned from their shortened but enjoyable trip.
It was great to have one of our younger members, Forrester out on his first weekend tramp, a big introduction which he managed with honours.
Thanks to the team of Vicky, Mike, Bron, Robbie, Forrester and Phyllis for another enjoyable time in the hills.
Maurice
Chinamans Cave
Tuesday, December 19th, 2017
3 December 2017
After having a great spell of weather six of us met at the car park for a day out in what was going to be another hot day. We headed down to Trotters Gorge camping reserve to where we were going to start the day out. It was on with the day packs with plenty of water on board and up past the Otago University Hut following Trotters creek for an hour till we came to Vickers Hut where we had a snack before the climb out of the Valley.
It was about a 200m climb on a good 4WD track up under Trig L and by this time the day was warming up so a bit of sweat was lost. We hiked along the tops following a 4wd track at times and a bit of cross country in the heat for about an hour till we came to the saddle. There we dropped down to the valley below and the creek where we would find the cave.
It is a bit of a steep drop down to the valley and Maurice was the first to get there, but he was having a bit of a problem locating the cave. If you haven’t been there before it is a bit of problem locating the cave because it is up a bit of rock fall and in behind some trees, but I soon had Maurice and everyone it the right place.
The cave itself is quite a big cave that is about 20m deep with a few side tunnels in it that go about another 10m. After exploring the cave a bit and signing the visitor’s book lunch was taking at the entrance by the trees in the cool shade.
After lunch we took an old track back up to the saddle and dropped down the other side into the head waters of Trotters Creek. It was over open farmland for a start and then following a good farm track for about 1km till the track ran out and the creek went into the gorge.
We could have climbed back out over the gorge but since it was a nice day and the creek was low we took to the creek. It was great splashing our way down the creek and the gorge in and out of the bush a bit for about 2km till we came back out at Vickers Hut. We then followed Trotters Creek back down the way we had come in the morning to the vehicles, about 7and a half hours after leaving them in the morning. It was another great day out with great weather and great company.
Thanks to the farmers for permission to go on their farms and explore this area and the organising club member that made it a great day out.
John, Mike, Bron, Maurice and Phyllis – Neville
Hidden Lake
Thursday, December 7th, 2017
18th November 2017
Two car loads of club members left 7am, meeting at Kurow at 8am for a brief stop before heading on to Omarama, turning up Broken Hut road for twenty minutes to the carpark at the start of the Oteake Conservation area. From here 4WD was needed for the 11km climb to the Omarama saddle at the head of the west branch of the Manuherikia river valley.
This section of the track was severely affected by the heavy rain in July having nearly continuous ruts up to 600mm deep which had to be negotiated by the vehicles, after an hour of slow careful driving the saddle was reached. A stop was had to enjoy the views over towards Lake Ohau and the McKenzie basin with Mt Cook behind.
The 2km track down into the head of the valley was easier going. We then turned right up a 4WD track for a few km’s, parking at a creek crossing. The party followed the creek until a suitable crossing was found, another 4WD track on this side of the creek made for easy going for the next 3km to a fork in the creek.
After a brief stop for a bite to eat we left the track following the right branch of the creek to an impressive rock cairn marking the route to the lake. The creek was followed through stunted alpine scrub then snow grass with several large rock fields to negotiate on the 5km climb to the lake. The lake was reached 2.5hr’s after leaving the vehicles, tucked in almost a crater with rugged vertical cliffs behind it made an impressive sight. The crystal clear green water looked inviting but a paddle in the icy water was enough to deter any thoughts of going for a swim.
Lunch was had for an hour beside the lake in brilliant sunshine where we enjoyed the views into central Otago down the west branch of the river as far as Little Mt Ida. A ridge above the creek on the true right was taken to return to the 4WD track which avoided several of the rocks and steep climbs next the creek.
Nearing the vehicles most of the party climbed a low saddle to visit Top Hut while the driver’s returned to the trucks, driving them to the hut. After a look at the tidy 8 bunk hut and a bite to eat we all returned to Omarama by the same route where we parted company and returned to Oamaru. Thanks for the company of those who came on the trip Bill, Maurice, Phyllis, Sylvia, Uwe, and Bronwyn.
Brent.
Swallows Track Upgrade
Monday, December 4th, 2017
Saturday 2 December 2017
After a very wet winter extending into Spring some sections of the Swallows Track had become very muddy making for unpleasant walking conditions for our number one track.
After some member discussion and the willing support from Port Blakely and Road Metals timber and gravel were obtained and two working bees got under way.
Construction of a 7m boardwalk was completed at the muddy section prior to the second bridge crossing future proofing this area. Another smaller section plus steps were added in another mud prone area halfway to the bridge.
A second working bee was held on Sat 2nd to lay a matting membrane and gravel over a 70m section from the start of the Swallows Track. After some earlier preparation of drainage and levelling this section soon became a highway. Ten club members with 4 wheel barrows loading transporting and levelling the gravel with great efficiency and enthusiasm. Some of the barrow loads needed extra assistance with a tow rope attached to gain the steeper and longer section.
We can now take a well deserved rest leaving the vistors to enjoy this special place.
Thanks to all our volunteers involved with this project.
Maurice.
Macraes Bike Trip
Tuesday, November 28th, 2017
Sunday 26 November 2017
A golden day beckoned an enthusiastic bunch of bikers and a couple of walkers to Macraes on Sunday the 27th.
The ride started with heading off past the billboards in the art park up Redbank Rd then at the DOC headquarters we took a farm track south to link up with the skink ‘exclosure’ on Frazers Rd. With the main purpose of the fence being to exclude predators, DOC use the term ‘exclosure’.
DOC field officer, Patrick Liddy, kindly met us at the exclosure, briefing us on the protected area, their conservation efforts and what we’d likely find within. The majority of the group spotted most skink species which call the exclosure home: the Grand, the Otago, McCains, the Green and the Common Skinks. However the endemic species of gecko eluded us all. It was great to hear the success of the exclosure and the fact that several unique species are successfully cohabiting in their natural environment.
The manuka was in full bloom, including a prostrate variety and there were also a couple of plant species which seemed out of situ growing at that altitude, including a fuschia species.
After an hour spotting skinks, we tucked into lunch before heading up to the highest point on the ride which was Lott’s Wife (714m). We then backtracked down the hill to Bonanza Hut where remnants of an old mine shaft from Macraes early mining days could be viewed below. After returning to the intersection of Philips, Frazers and Bonanza we split in two groups with one group returning to Stanley’s Hotel via Frasers Rd while the second group added a few extra km’s to their trip, by rushing down a hill intending to link up with Ramrock Rd, and return via Nenthorn. However, with a nice downhill, nec minute, we found that we were at the end of a trapping line at which point it was decided it would be better to return to Frazers Rd and follow the other group out. An influence on this decision was the dirty, big threatening cloud that looked like it could open above us at any time, however, as we now know Roxborough received the lot while we basked in sun along with the lizards (skink) and finished at historic hotel Stanley’s with a well-earned drink.
Jane M
