2025-07-16 < Weekly activities > 2025-07-30
Activity summary: Wednesday 2025 July 23 to Tuesday 2025 July 29
Belmont Regional Park/Makara Peak – Wrights Hill/Mt Dick Lookout – Trails to the West/Pack Track -East Whakanui - Solomons Ridge/Kaiwharawhara Park, Bridle Park, Trelissick Park
Wednesday
E Trip ‘Belmont Regional Park’ led by Alison Stephenson, Wed 23/7 8M
Given all the recent rain it was decide to avoid the bush and shift the trip to the farmlands of Belmont Regional Park. Eight members gathered in the Hil Road car park before setting out on a 4 hour circuit taking the uphill bike track from the car park, joining the Old Coach Road and then returning to the car park down the Scenic Route. We enjoyed the sun, the views and reminescing about Paddy pulling a sheep out of a pond lat time he was there.
EM Trip ‘Makara Peak – Wrights Hill Circular’ led by Brian Hasell, Wed 23/7 10M/1NM
The trip was enjoyed by 10 members and one non-member. We enjoyed calm, sunny weather and great views. The tracks were in good condition having dried out well and the full circuit took 6 hours at an easy pace. Brian has run similar trips for the last 10 years and was pleased that there continues to be interest; over half the walkers were first-timers!.
M Trip ‘Mt Dick Lookout – Trails to the West’ led by Rob Handyside, Wed 23/7 4M
Three TTC members who had elected a medium grade, Tararua Range trip for this week met with Gerald at the Mt Dick lookout. Although the group leader had checked out the proposed route in advance we were able to go a little further and gain a better understanding of the area with the benefits of Gerald's knowledge of the terrain.
We made a morning stop at .582. We then pushed on to .632 and found the turn which leads in the direction of .810. After half an hour on this leg which largely follows animal tracks and the occasional piece of tape left by previous trampers we found a suitable stopping point for lunch. It was then time to retrace our steps, each taking a turn at guiding the group back to .632 where markers can be identified more regularly. The possible highlight of the day was resting in the sun around 3.00pm where the track provides an excellent view of the range and snow-capped Mt Hector was centre stage.
There was about six hours of tramping plus breaks. Some of the enjoyment of this trip is the recognition that this is not an area which is maintained or visited regularly. It feels remote after you leave the car park, although in fact it is only a few kilometers from Wairarapa towns. Rob Handyside (Trip leader), Gerald Leather (Guide), Helena Weller-Chew, Karen Vaughan.
SF Trip ‘Pack Track – East Whakanui= Solomons Ridge, led by David McNabb, Wed 23/7 21M
21 members set off in fine frosty conditions from the Wainuiomata Water Treatment Plant, starting with a brisk road walk up George Creek to the tunnel which carries the Orongorongo River water supply pipe. Then followed a 500m climb through beautiful forest on the Pack Track, and then a short sharp off track scramble up to the East Whakanui Track near Pt 800. An extended lunch break was enjoyed on a grassy area in the sun with views as we headed west to the Old Whakanui Track. We finished with a descent following a trap line down Solomons Ridge back to the Water Treatment Plant. 11km, total climb 850m, just under six hours.
Weekend:
EM Trip ‘Kaiwharawhara Park, Bridle Park, Trelissick Park’ led by Chris Horne, Sun 27/07 8M
Read plaque recording arrival of 197 Scots settlers on barque "Blenheim" on 27 December 1800 - 40 years before Treaty was signed. Impressed by extent of regenerating native forest in Kaiwharawhara Park and the 200+ steps built by WCC Down Bridle Track to Kaiwharawhara and lunch in Trelissick Park. 3 hours.
Total 51 members and 1 non member