Trip Reports
Cedar Farm Forest / Cedar Creek Reservoir
Thursday, August 24th, 2023
Cedar Farm Forest / Cedar Creek Reservoir – Sunday, 13th August 2023
continuing on to the Cedar Farm Forest car park, a few kilometres south of the Orokonui Ecosanctuary on
Blueskin Road, above Port Chalmers. Arriving at around 9:20 a.m., the group met up with Dunedin club
members Helen & Rodney and the party of nine soon after set off along Cedar Farm Road in pleasant
conditions under a blue sky. After a 20-minute warm-up along Cedar Farm Road, the Cedar Creek Reservoir
(built in 1953 as a secondary water supply for Port Chalmers) was reached at 10:00 a.m. The group opted to
walk the track around the circumference of the reservoir, before continuing west past the reservoir and along
the remainder of the vehicle track at the end of Cedar Farm Road.
A short distance along the track, we headed left up the bank and entered the pine forest, following a marked
route up the northern slope of Mt Martin (478m). About halfway up, we came to a post-mounted AT220
Possum & Rat Trap, which had a dead rat in the cage. Fortunately, we had Robbie in the group, as he was
able to remove the cover of the unit, showing the battery powered mechanism, and explain how these traps
actually work, including setting off the ‘kill bar’ like a gun shot, which immediately got everyone’s attention!
Continuing upwards, we soon reached the tree-covered top of Mt Martin (478m), the first of the four named
peaks on the circuit of tracks. From here, we descended back into the forest and followed the route
southwest to the start of the steep foot track up Mt Cutten (530m). The track was a bit slippery in places, but
after only 15 minutes, we came out onto the tree-cleared top of Mt Cutten (530m), the second of the four
named peaks. While taking in the panoramic views across Otago Harbour and Otago Peninsula, and out to
the valleys and ranges to the west, we continued southwest along the cliff edge summit track of Mt Cutten
and crossed over to the southern peak and the site of Andrew Drummond’s 1980 tribute sculpture to kinetic
artist Len Lye. With a bench seat installed at the site, the group took a break to study the sculpture and enjoy
the view out across Otago Harbour.
Just after 11:30 a.m., we were underway again and carefully descending back down the steep track off the
top of Mt Cutten, before initially heading northwest through the bush across Cedar Creek and then north
towards Mt Kettle (545m), the third of the four peaks on the circuit. It’s a pleasant walk along a well marked
foot track through the bush before climbing steeply up the southern side of Mt Kettle, which was reached
within an hour-and-a-half from Mt Cutten. The top of Mt Kettle is somewhat overgrown with scrub and wilding
pines, although there is a viewpoint from a rocky outcrop where the track begins to descend down to the
southeast. At this point we had a lunch break and surveyed the view of the Cedar Creek Reservoir and
surrounding area.
A careful descent was made down the rocky ridge of Mt Kettle, but after re-entering the forest and crossing
over the vehicle access road from the reservoir, we were soon heading up through the forest and across the
gentle scrub covered slopes of Mihiwaka (561m), the fourth and final peak of the day, reaching the summit
trig beacon in an hour from Mt Kettle. By this time, it had become overcast, so after enjoying the views one
last time, we headed back down to the access road and returned back along Cedar Farm Road, reaching the
car park just after 3:00 p.m.
After a brief discussion, we opted for a debrief at the Blueskin Nurseries & Café in Waitati, where we had half-
an-hour before closing to enjoy some refreshing drinks and light food, thereafter parting company and
heading for home.
Many thanks to Jenny, John, Julian, Mike, Neville, Phyllis & Robbie for their company on an enjoyable wander
through the forest and bush, and across the volcanic outcrops of this less frequently visited location with the
Dunedin area.
Rodney & Helen Meiklejohn.
Kahikatea Hut to Staircase Hut -Waianakarua Reserve
Tuesday, August 1st, 2023
Trip Report July 29/30 2023 Kahikatea Hut to Staircase Hut, Waianakarua Reserve
Three of us (different 3) set off on Saturday morning , brilliant weather and a good forecast from the end of Mt Misery Rd car park, past the Red Hut. We had left a vehicle at the other Mt Misery Rd car park for our return. An uneventful walk in to the new Kahikatea Hut although we did come across a deer about half way up the grunty slope to the hut, it took a good look at us before loping off into the bush. Morning tea was had at the hut giving those who had not been there the chance for a good look at the new facilities. Very impressed we were at the care taken in this build which will provide great shelter for many years.
Off up the ridge a little further where great views can be had of the surrounding hills and valleys. The first section on the ridge going down towards the Middle Branch of the Waianakarua River is easy going and quickly done. Then comes the point where you have to choose the right ridge to carry on down and as we know, going down ridges is much harder that going up them and identifying the right ridge is the trickiest of all. A small mistake was made and we found ourselves in very dense scrub and instead of a total reversal, we thought we could sidle over to where the actual ridge was…..wrong…this led to us battling some of the worst scrub and a very slow return eventually to within 50m of where we went wrong. Hopefully that mistake won’t need to be made again. It was easy to get down to the river from that point and lunch was had when we got there.
The river was quite high and dry boots were not to be kept as we made our way down stream with many crossings. A cairn on the opposite side of the river about 30 minutes later indicates the start of the ridge leading up to the Staircase Ridge track and by sticking as close to the ridge as possible it is quite a good route without too many tangling bushes. After a grunty climb it was nice to sit down and enjoy the sunny afternoon on the tussocky patch right on the track. The Staircase Hut was reaches after another 30min and we were the only ones to make use of it that night. It was the usual early night for us after dinner and the long night that follows.
Next morning it was decided to walk out via Tabletop. There was a decent frost down at the yards and the uphill 4WD track was chilly and shady. This made the sunny tussocky spot near the top even more enjoyable and this was the first morning tea spot. Followed by a second morning tea stop before the descent down the ridge to the Middle Branch. All the creeks were higher than usual and the rocks more slippery due to frost, so the usual side stream crossing just after you get down provided another wee challenge and a bit of a dunking beyond expectation for one member whose phone also survived the cold water. The only sunny spot available provided our last stop which was lunch. This just left the last grunt back to the carpark and a drive up to the end of the road to pick up the second vehicle.
An enjoyable trip for us all, two of the group had never been in this close to home area and I enjoyed showing them around very much. A tough trip but worthwhile for those with the right level of fitness.Thanks for coming Jenny and Jon – Robbie
Elephant Hill
Tuesday, July 4th, 2023
9 bods (4 new) went for a wander up elephant hill on a partly sunny day for a relaxed enjoyable walk up the track and down the gully.
Was disappointed to see so many wallabies hopping around!
Beyond Deep Creek – Lake Aviemore
Sunday, July 2nd, 2023
The morning of the walk so me, John and Mike at the carpark ready to go – not sure why there weren’t more people keen to join a ‘normal’ type day tramp this time. Deciding to ride up in Mike’s EV we stopped in Kurow for a coffee before parking up at Aviemore dam to enter the Deep Creek path. The Deep Creek arm of the lake looked as great as ever, and we made plans to return in the summer for a kayaking trip/picnic.
Then an easy cross of the Deep Stream river, I elected to take off my socks and boots figuring it would be the only river crossing of the day whilst the others chose wet feet. Can see on the map image the route we took to the confluence at the head of the valley – all quite easy going. At the head of the valley we attempted to forge a around and up to point 489 but the scrub and matagouri was just too thick and impassable so turned tail and traversed across the base of the uplands.
Once over the saddle there was great views of Lake Waitaki, then along through the paddocks of Waitangi Station towards Fishermans Bend camping area, then back up to Aviemore dam and the car. Obligatory ice cream stop at Kurow on the drive home and a thank you to Waitangi Station for access permission.
Freehold Creek to Tarns 1479m
Tuesday, May 16th, 2023
Freehold Creek to Tarns 1479m, 13th May 2023
Leaving Oamaru at 8am (a 7am start would have given us longer daylight for this trip in mid May), we started walking from Glen Mary Ski Hut at 10am. From here it took an hour to the Freehold Creek bridge, then an hour up to the bushline. The beech forest was alive with birdlife: rifleman, fantail, tomtit, grey warbler, bellbird (thanks to the trapping done by Ohau Conservation Trust.) After the heavy rains we were delighted with innumerable fungi springing up in all colours: purple, orange, yellow, brown, pure white, some with fluted edges.
From the bushline we crossed the creek and followed a narrow track up to the right, finding a poled route up to the tarns at 1479m, clambering over rock and sub-alpine vegetation for one and half hours. The fresh snow and soft autumn light made for a beautiful setting, and the views to the peaks above and the turquoise lake below were magnificent.
After lunch at 2pm overlooking the first tarn, (the second tarn is 5 minutes up the slope), we descended quickly to the bush and were back at the car by 4.30pm. The air was cool and our feet were cold after creek crossings, so we warmed up at Ohau Lodge with hot drinks before heading home.
Thanks to Roz, Anna, Jane, and Claire for genial company and a great day in alpine scenery.
Jenny Kitchin