Leader: Pat Holland
A beautiful, warm, sunny Nelson day was ideal for a trip into the depths of the Sanctuary to enjoy the forest and streams. A deliberately measured pace was maintained so as not to discourage the several new chums.
Pest-proof fencing (14km) of the area (715ha) is in its final phase but the fencers were not working that day.
We went up the main Koru track to Jacobs Ladder where the steepish track got us up to D-line. Two km of excellent track took us through majestic red beech forest with some podocarps into the heart of the Sanctuary to where the track meets the Brook stream. Here there is a profusion of tree and ground ferns under the canopy alongside the pretty stream with delightful pure water.
After a morning break we proceeded on a rougher track (East-D extension) by the Brook which ends at a side stream coming down on the left from the fence line and Dun Mountain walkway 200 m vertical above.
Here was a scene of devastation. The recent storm event that damaged a section of the new fence has scoured out the gully, leaving fresh gravel, boulders and large tree trunks. Fortunately, the main Brook Stream was not affected and we continued on E-line over a bluff and then a short way up the now small stream.
Here some stopped as there was no clear track, only some infrequent pink tape. The energetic few pressed on upstream 250m past F-line to where the valley opens out into a basin directly under Third House – with some fine mature rimu and matai plus broadleaf trees.
Then, we dropped back to rejoin the group for lunch. Our return was from whence we came to the end of D-line where we then followed the track down the true-left by the Brook with seven crossings to Corkscrew Crossing. With the heat of the day steadily increasing, many indulged in a quick dip in a lovely pool before we proceeded downstream to Ferny Flat.
Rather than returning via the direct route on the full length of Koru Track, we chose to do the valley floor route via Flagstone Crossing and Totara Traverse to the foot of Falcon Ridge. Here, the old waterworks engineering starts with the main public track leading past the Upper Weir and down to the main dam at the car park.
Six hours return – a good tour of the glories of The Sanctuary. Only a few birds were spotted which is what the fence and removal of predators are all about.
We were: Pat Holland, Chris Louth, David Blunt, Debbie Hogan, Ian & Susan Dohoo, Kate Krawcyzk & Kelvin Drew. Visitors: Bernie Goldsmith, Jill D’Orio, Kath Ballantyne, Kim Wilson, Michelle & Peter Cunningham.