Sullivans Dam, Mt Cargill
Sullivans Dam / Mount Cargill 14th July
Undaunted by the unfavourable weather forecast, nine members set off from Oamaru to go tramping in the Mt Cargill area. As we approached the Dunedin Northern Motorway we encountered the sweeper truck spreading grit on the fresh coat of snow which blanketed the road. For the time being it was fine but cold so after parking the cars down Leith Valley Road we donned parkas, overpants, hats and gloves and set off past Sullivans Dam and followed a sometimes muddy track beside a pipeline. This lead us to a fence crossing, a bash through a forest of recently pruned pinus radiata, two more fence crossings and into farmland. Brief views of North Dunedin appeared from here before the black clouds and snow came in again.
Once over a stile and shelter from the storm, we entered a forest of pine trees where we encountered
snow laden gorse which had collapsed onto the track after the recent storms. Relief from the pin pricks came when a formed road called The Three Peaks Track appeared which was followed until we turned off and made our way up a hill of milled timber following faint pink markers to reach Cowan Road. Meanwhile the snow began to fall once again.
The A H Reed Track lead us up to Mt Cargill, but unfortunately there were no views at the top.The wind whistling through the communications tower on top could be heard long before we arrived there. The snow encrusted bush on the side of the track made it look like Christmas Card scenery. For our return, an attempt was made to follow the Escarpment Track, but after about 10minutes descending it became impenetrable with all the windfall damage. A quick lunch break in deteriorating weather near the bush was taken at mid-day before we decided to re-trace our steps back to the Three Peaks Track. From there we were able to link up with the Cloud Forests of Leith Track which also had a lot of damage. Extra care was taken as the snow and damp conditions made the board walks very slippery. Nine trampers finally emerged from the snow laden bush to walk around Sullivans Dam and back to the cars at 2:30pm. Of course we couldn’t pass Palmerston without stopping for an icecream.
Thanks to Jo, John A, Murray (who were all on their first outing with the club) Evelyn, Linda, Noel, John C and Maurice for their company while braving the adverse weather conditions and getting “out there”
Phyllis
On top of Mt Cargill
Sullivans Dam car park
