| Auckland Baptist Tramping Club |
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VINING VERITY Vining Walkway Sat 22 May |
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| For a fullsize picture click on the thumbnail |
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A glorious day was in store for nine trampers as they made their way to the Vining Walkway and climbed
up to Mangatangi Trig, one of the best viewpoints in the southern Hunua Ranges. As usual, we left The Bracken just after 8am, and rendezvoused briefly outside the Castle tea rooms at Mangatawhiri to meet up with one of our group who had come from Tauranga. We left cars at the start of the Vining Walkway on the Kaiaua Road between Mangatawhiri and Kaiaua, and at the end of the tramp on the Mangatangi Dam access road, before setting out across farm land with the bushclad Hunua Ranges just ahead. The farm route was marked by occasional orange markers - a bit too occasional, we found ourselves unwitting wandering off track in one or two places. Part of the farm route was following up a stream bordered by low vertical cliffs, rather spectacular. Eventually we entered the Vining Reserve, crossing from farm into bush. After a short break we began to climb steadily up a spur. The ground was covered in patchy moss, adding to the beauty of the bush. Up at the top the walkway joined up with the Hunua Ranges Fringe Track two minutes short of the Mangatangi Trig. It was just after midday when we sat sown for lunch at the trig. The view from Mangatangi Trig was excellent in the glorious weather. We could see the Manukau Harbour in the distance. Behind the northern Hunua Ranges was the top of Rangitoto Island, and we could just make out the Sky Tower of Auckland. Looking the other way over the tree tops we could see the Kaimai Ranges, with Mt Te Aroha, beside a sea of fog covering the Hauraki Plains. We could also see Mt Pirongia, visited by the Club just two weeks before in identical weather. Don brought out a pocket-size Bible and read Psalm 104. This expounded the wonders of nature and creation, and it was very fitting to look out at the mountains, bush, farmland and sea as we listened to this passage of God’s Word. He then took out his recorder (a type of flute) to play How Great Thou Art. Afterwards, we dropped down to the Mangatangi Dam access road along the Fringe Track. Further down, we could catch glimpses of Mangatangi Reservoir through the bush. We were out about 3pm. One carload went straight back to Auckland via a special Red Bush Shirt and Jersey Ice Cream Stop at Pokeno; the rest soaked off the day’s effort at the Miranda Hot Springs. COST: Travel $8; Miranda hot pools $7. |