Waianakarua Reserve to Tabletop, Sunday 4th November 2012
Spring was certainly in the air this week with the wild swing in weather conditions from hot Norwesters to snow and frosts.
A phone call from John on Sat evening based at Ohau Village reported snow down to lake level. Any trip above the bushline would encounter soft deep snow, character building maybe but from previous experience to be avoided.
Sunday, the sun was out and a fine day was in store for nine people gathered at the town departure point. After a brief disussion a new plan for the day was agreed, to fall back to an old faithful area, the Wainak Reserve.
Leaving from Mt Misery Road we headed down to the river then down stream to the track leading to Table Top. This track is now quite overgrown in places but still negotiable. A small amount of bird life was present which is encouraging to hear and see. A smoko break was taken at the bush edge of Table Top, in the sun sheltered behind the kanuka scrub from the cool southerly.
A short walk across Table Top to the S W corner gave a good view of the location of Staircase Hut and the route to and from it along Staircase Ridge. Returning to the track we visited a hunters shelter before locating a nice spot in the sun for a long lunch break.
The return journey to the rivers Middle Branch was all down hill where the decision to try the old caravan trail back to the road and return to the cars was made. This track does not get much use and is quite steep initially and is becoming overgrown with gorse. A short walk back to the cars on the road completed a nice day out with fine company.
Thanks to: Jac, Gail, Phyllis, Linda, Evelyn, Noel Robbie, Jo, – Maurice.
