Leader: Kath Ballantine
Six trampers gathered, armed with the most optimistic weather forecast for a day trip to Conical Hill. Several members of the group had noticed on maps a shorter road route to the start of the track and a consensus decision was made to take this route. It involved going a further 2km along the Tadmor–Hope Roadd leading to a road that went direct to the start of the track. We eventually found this road, marked with a sign (actually the advised route on DOC website), but found that it was not a vehicle road. We set off to walk it (an extra 1.5km) but retreated when we soon discovered a river to cross and certain wet feet, and headed back to go on the Hodgkinson Road access. Pine logging operations on the start of this road have made muddy slippery conditions, but this, and a “road closed“ sign did not deter us from reaching the start of the track albeit latter than we had planned.
We set off at 10.10am, the track beginning gently in pine plantation, but we were quickly in native bush and climbing steeply. The walk is characterised by a mix of reasonable slope and several very steep parts. A late morning tea at 11.15am pushing up a steep section, and we emerged into an area with some interesting-shaped rocks and good views.
The track then does not climb much further to the peak, but there were some gentle ups and downs. Halfway along this ridge, a shower passed through. So we decided, because of this and our late start, to turn back. We found a sheltered spot for lunch in the light rain. We descended quickly in two hours, taking a more direct route back out.
The track sign indicates it is three hours to the summit; we had turned around at two hours, 45 minutes. (So, three hours’ track time is reasonable for a good-paced walk.)
In future, it might be interesting to take the route we discovered, but on a summer tramp. If logging operations continue on Hodgkinson Road, it may be the only route available.
Trampers were: Chris Louth, Grant Derecourt, Sue Henley & Kath Ballantine (leader and scribe) with visitors Kerry Jones and Tom Carr.