This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper in month 2013
The community track
Wednesday 26/3/2014
Map Reference
Seven club members and four non-members gathered at Speedy's Reserve, (near the Kelson traffic lights) and went up the 19th century bridle track to the site of the Pareraho gunfighter pa which was the base from which Te Mamaku raided Boulcott Farm in 1846.
From there we followed the spur between Belmont Stream and Speedy's Creek up to a prominent saddle. All the forgoing amounts to following the Hill Rd Community Track which is marked by orange triangles.
At the saddle we went to the left and visited a magnificent viewpoint, then returned to the saddle, from where the Community Track goes down a gully to join Hill Rd at Park Hill Reserve. However we left the Community Track to follow a roughly cleared route to the Kilmister Track where the junction is marked by a steel pole with a yellow wooden square at the top. There is considerable hookgrass, barberry and gorse on this route at the moment.
Then we simply followed the Kilmister Track to Belmont Saddle, Boulder Hill and then the car park at Kaitangata Crescent. There is a noteworthy exposure of solifluxion debris just before the car park.
This route was taken to popularise the Community Track - only with constant use will it remain open. (7 members and 1 non- member)
- Bill Stephenson
- (leader and scribe).