Distance:  12.2 km                 Time Walking: 4h 51min

Elevation: Max Alt 971m       Min Alt 717m      Vert Ascent: 436m

This time of year, we knew that all the waterways would be quite full and at any crossing wet feet could be expected.  At least it would happen toward the end of the tramp.  VP Derrick acknowledged new driver Pete, gave us an update on Ray’s recovery and welcomed visitors: Tessa, Soo, Sun, Jan, Deirdre, Margaret.

The weather was clear over Porters although the light breeze cooled the sun when it shone through the slight overcast.  The peaks of the Craigieburn range still had a fair cover of snow but this added to the scenery as 43 trampers set off for our tramp of the day – Dracophyllum Flat.

Both groups soon picked up their pace and with the occasional stepping off the Broken River Skifield access road to let cars passed, we were cheered on by a number of melodically trilling bellbirds and the rushing burble of the stream below.  Occasional glimpses of sunlight reflecting off snowy tops and filtering through the mountain beech slowly warmed chilled bodies and at the morning tea stops people took the advantage of the break to shed a layer or two and then take advantage of sunny patches to enjoy the break.

Dracophyllum Flat true to its name

That done, it was time to head for the flat and we were soon enclosed by the beech once more and making good time on the somewhat muddy track that lead down the terrace after Jack’s Pass.  Descending into the small creek and over the bridge, we climbed upwards again to break out of the trees on to the flatter open terrace of Texas Flat. Meandering from open ground and snaking through beech and scrub patches, we eventually reached Dracophyllum Flat.  We took some time here to take in the views of the ski fields and the other peaks in the Craigieburn Range.  Because of the chilly breeze, it was decided to push on a little before finding a more sheltered lunch spot with some sun.

Dracophyllum [Epacridaceae {heath family –  containing 27 native species] is often known as Turpentine Bush or Inaka and the variety found on the flat is most likely Dracophyllum Traversii, the largest group and is abundant in sub-alpine areas.  The shrubs usually have needle-like shiny green or bronzy coloured leaves which are used by weavers for decorative features.  There may be many different variations because they   hybridise with other Dracophyllum species.  The shrubs are tough and can live to more than 200 years. (Ref: NZ Landcare Research)

Chris with a successfully chopped wilding pine

With lunch over, we picked our way around the forest edge easing up to a low saddle through scattered matagouri.   As we sidled down into Waterfall Creek, several of us went looking for wilding pines to destroy after the discovery of scattered seedlings among the tussock and scrub.

River crossing in good style

In the meantime, the Alternatives were heading for their watery crossing of Tim’s Stream and then to follow the Cheeseman access road which would get them back to the bus.  When the standards came to their crossing point of Broken River, it was obvious that a great deal of care would be needed.  The water here was deep with run-off and the current swift.   Eventually, in groups of twos or threes and using great river-crossing technique, everyone managed the effort safely albeit a little wet!

Now the arduous climb out of the creek via a very steep muddy incline on to the terrace began.  Whew! What a relief when we all reached firmer level ground again after all that sliding and tenuous footholds. Once on the farm road it was a fast slog in squelchy boots to get out to the road where the coach was waiting.  Dry socks were very welcome.

It was then homeward to collect the Alternatives at the Broken River bridge but owing to a hiccup in the pick-up process [the bus should have got to them first before back-tracking for the Standards], they had had about an hour to wait and clouds of sandflies to fend off.

“Please don’t squash the sandflies on the windows,” requested Pete the driver as he got under way for home.