Rakaia Gorge Walkway 13 January 2021
| Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Bill S | Peter | Jan Br | Ali |
| Alternates | Liz | Norma | Margaret S | Eric |
Distance: 10. 40km
Time Walking: 3hrs 4 minutes
Elevation: Max Alt: 443m Min Alt: 295 m Vert Ascent: 414m
A group of 43 enthusiastic trampers stepped off the bus at the Rakaia Gorge Bridge for the first walk of the season. There were no visitors joining us on this tramp.
Weather conditions were perfect with clear skies and very little wind. Once organised, both groups set off on the gorge track which takes in the historic Ferryman’s track.
When European people started settling in Canterbury, an Accommodation House was built by the Rakaia Gorge by John Bryan, in 1851. It included a smithy, post office, bar and cattle yards. It burnt down in 1878 and was not replaced, but while Bryan was there he ferried travellers, stock and goods across the river in a flat-bottomed punt pulled by a rope from the other side of the river. The accommodation house was on a terrace on the north side of the river
The forested track follows the contours of the river allowing plenty of views of the winding turquoise river below. Recent maintenance of the track was evident with fern leaves and other cuttings littering the path.
At the morning tea stop by the lookout above the river, most people elected to find a spot in the shade rather than take in the views. Luckily, there were still plenty of spots in the shade when the alternatives arrived.
Carrying on along the track we passed the sign indicating the Snowden Mine. Some Trampers had previously taken the short detour to visit the mine, but not on this occasion. The mine site was developed by George Gerard in the late 19th century for local coal use. Gerard owned the Snowden property the mine was sited on. All mining was ceased by 1904.
Reaching a sign posted junction on the track, the alternatives would carry on downhill to a lunch spot on the banks of the river, while the standards took the longer steeper track to the right, before dropping down to the river. While walking uphill we encountered a flock of sheep which looked like they were being herded downhill, and we all moved aside to let them pass. It turned out it was just two people walking the track behind them, and with an even larger group of people in front, the sheep decided to turn off and go down the bank before they got to us
Reaching the lunch spot by the river there was enough of a breeze to allow us to sit in the sun if we chose to. A bit more padding would have made it more comfortable though. A few people decided the cool water looked so inviting, they enjoyed a quick paddle in the shallows.
After lunch both groups made their way back to the bus on the shorter route.
There was plenty of time for a refreshment stop on the way home and the decision was made to bypass the usual stops and instead call into the Yaldhurst Hotel, which the manager there had suggested might be a nice idea since we were using their car park. The two women behind the bar coped well with the 40 odd arrivals, and everyone quickly got their drinks. Then it was back on the bus for those travelling on to Bishopdale, while the others returned to their cars.
Everyone agreed that it was a great start to the 2021 tramping season.
Text courtesy of Sally.
