We set off with a full van of Wanderers on a beautiful day and made our way to the valley via the Swamp Road. At the DOC information centre, we viewed a film on the history of kauri milling in the valley during the late 19th/early 20th century. This made us appreciate the location of our tramp as it showed us the hardship which the inhabitants were faced with extracting the huge kauri logs.
After seeing the film, we went to inspect a large replica of a kauri dam of the sort employed in the valley by the original loggers. From here we made our way up the valley to Jasper Creek, Track 76 to Edwards Look Out, which gave us magnificent views of the valley to the ‘Pinnacles’ in the distance. We then went on to Murray’s Boardwalk.
On returning from this farthest point, we stopped at ‘Hoffmans Pool’ where four daring Wanderers stripped off and went for a swim while the rest of us dangled our feet in the water and shouted words of encouragement.
After an ice cream stop at Turua we returned home at 6.40pm after a truly enjoyable day. Thanks to our wonderful leaders Dianne and Keith.
Roger