Stanfield Hut

Wed 3 Jan 2024. Leaders Adrian Pike & Margaret Chainey, scribe John Mellsop

For our first Wednesday tramp of the new year, Adrian and Margaret led us on this fine day.  After crossing the Tamaki River West Branch near a well-maintained picnic area we followed the Homes Ridge track which took us to the river again, within a kilometre of the hut.

Stanfield hut was in good condition with a recent paint job, new water tank and wood shed. After a pleasant lunch stop in the sun outside the hut we ventured back the way we had come. For some reason the putaputaweta trees, which were in flower, were more noticeable on the return journey (probably because we were not heads-down climbing!)

Tama Lakes

Sun 14 Jan 2024.   Leader Bruce Thomas/scribe Margaret Wright

Thirteen trampers walked to Tama Lakes/Lower Lake via Taranaki Falls. Four WTC members stopped for lunch here and made their way back to the vans at the Chateau while the remaining nine carried on to the upper lake for lunch, then ventured on to loop back to the Round the Mountain Track. We dropped down onto the lower lake water level, crossed the basin floor in front of the lake and followed a stream course up out of the basin along a frequently used path. Walked back to the Chateau on the alternative track, bypassing the falls. Ice-cream stop at National Park on the way home - thanks drivers.

Weather was sunny, warm and windy.  20.1km covered. Altitude covered 700m, seven hours on the track.

Meanders in Foxton

Wed 17 Jan 2024. Leaders Allan Loader/Linda Hart, scribe Linda

Seventeen booked in for this trip.  We started with Piriharakeke Walkway along a grassy track and through private farmland, taking in the Moutoa Floodway stop banks, then a wee detour to check out Off the Loop Cable Wakeboard and Water Park. Watching these activities was exhausting so we stopped at the windmill for refreshments before taking a wander around the River Loop Amble and Flax Walkway.

We jumped back in the van and went to Foxton Beach, walking Sunset Pathway along the edge of the Manawatu River Estuary, where we found a shady spot for lunch. We continued through Flagstaff Reserve, then to the welcome shade of pines through Ferry Reserve. Next it was a bit of a march of mad Englishmen out in the midday sun following Palmer Road Pathway, then straight back to the van and on to the beach - where many of us enjoyed a refreshing swim or paddle!