Herbert Forest Tracks

Herbert Forest Tracks February 2 2014

This being the first trip to go in the new year, there was a decent turnout of 13 people including 3 new faces. The weather gods were smiling as we set off from the Goblin Woods and headed up the Swallows Track. A short delay at the top while one member went searching for her bifocals dropped on the track but happily retrieved from a wee dark corner. Along to the Podocarp Track where the group split into two, some going up the Podocarp, others up the Glenbirnie, eventually meeting under the large Kahikateas where the two track rejoin. There are some maintenance issues along the way with some trees having come down in one of the many weather events of the past few months. Elvens’s were enjoyed here at 10.20am. Further up and along to the Hoods Creek Track, similar damage here with a few trees down. Lunch was had on the sunny strip overlooking the valley where it was very hot, almost too hot to linger and it was nice to get back into the shade. All good as we descended the track and out to the road where we walked down to the Cosy Dell ford and strolled down the river, crossing here and there to climb back out through the Goblin Woods. It had chilled just a bit by then, just enough to put anyone off having a swim. A nice cup of tea was had to de-brief and finish a very pleasant day’s walk. Thanks to the new ones, Carolyn, Rick and Jackson and the others Jane, John A, Tony W, Linda Sam,Brian, Ross,Bill and Bron for coming.

Robbie

River crossing North Branch Waianakarua River.