2010 Dyke hikes list

Hikes will be on the first Sunday of the month unless otherwise stated. For the most up-to-date information check this site or the Tamaki Makaurau Lesbian Newsletter. If you want to join us on a hike please contact Ingrid at 027 222 0608 or by email hike@lesbian.co.nz . Unless otherwise stated below, the walks begin at 11am. Bring all the food and water that you'll need, clothes for any season, hat and sunblock. The walks are graded into easy (okay for regular walking shoes, not many hills), moderate (boots recommended, expect a few hills) and hard (boots required, tracks may be rough, steep hills, reasonable fitness helps to enjoy these ones). If you are not an experienced hiker we require you to have completed two moderate hikes before you join us on a hike graded hard.

2010

January 31st 2010 Whatipu Auckland Anniversary Weekend

This hike coincides with Rainbow Weekend at Whatipu Lodge. For the complete queer experience you can stay at the lodge and then join the hike on Sunday. We will take the Kura and Puriri Ridge Tracks to the top of Mt Donald McLean and then the Omanawanui Track back to the beach. This is a challenging and beautiful hike with amazing views and the possibility of a swim. Meet at the carpark at the end of the road to Whatipu. Bring your lunch and some snacks to share for after the hike. No dogs. Grade: Hard.

February 14th Kayaking the Puhoi River

This is a fun and easy river to kayak. For more details go to www.puhoirivercanoes.co.nz The cost to hire a canoe would be about $40 per person. Contact Ingrid for timing and other details.

March 7th Farm Loop plus Whakakaiwhara Pa Walk, Duder Regional Park

A walk through farmland and out to Whakakaiwhara Pa with wide views over the Hauraki Gulf. Go early and spend a few minutes at the Clevedon Farmers Market on the way there. Take State Highway 1 South and turn off at Te Irirangi Drive and bear left. At the fourth set of traffic lights turn right into Ormiston Rd and head towards Whitford. At the T-junction turn left into Whitford and right at the roundabout on to the Whitford - Maraetai Rd. Continue through Maraetai and take the Maraetai Coast Rd to Umupuia. The park is just to the south of Umupuia on North Rd. 3 hours. Grade: Easy

April 10th &11th Pinnacles overnight.

We'll hike up to the hut on Saturday, stay overnight then go to the Pinnacles themselves on Sunday and hike back to the carpark. Book and pay for your place at the hut first be quick, the hut fills up fast. Bookings are through the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre. Ph 07 867 9080 or Email: kauaerangavc@doc.govt.nz. Bring everything you might need (including cold and wet weather gear) and can easily carry for an overnight stay. The track to the Pinnacles is steep during the first half. Parts of it follow an old pack horse route and others a tramline from past kauri logging days. To get to this walk head for Thames. When you get to the outskirts of Thames turn right at the intersection with the BP petrol station on the corner into Banks St. Follow this road, it will become Kauaeranga Valley Road (gravel) and goes up into the hills. 13 km up this road is a DoC Visitor Centre, where you can find maps etc. and we will meet at the road-end about 7-8 km further up. Carpooling is a good idea for this one. Grade: Hard.

May 2nd Parau and Panto Track

This is a challenging walk with stream crossings, great views and the hills to match. From Titirangi take Woodlans Park Rd thern Huia Rd for about 9km. There is a space to park on the right about 300m past Pine Ave which is on the left. The start of the track is about 200m along from the car park on the right. 5.5-6 hours. Grade: Hard

June 6th Karekare - Zion Hill Track

This track takes us up from near the Karekare beach carpark through scrub with fantastic views out to sea, then into some mature bush including huge Taraire. We head back down to the beach to an old logging track site, then walk along the beach to get back to the car park. Some moderately steep bits. 3.5 -4hrs return. We'll meet at the Karekare beach car park at 11am. Grade: Moderate