Exploring the high country at Craigieburn

Press, 24 December 1986, Page 3

Exploring the high country at Craigieburn

A varied programme of easy and difficult half-day walks, day walks, climbing, an overnight camp, and children’s activities has been planned for the holidays at Craigieburn Forest Park.

Visits to a high-country sheep station, to Bealey Spur in Arthur’s Pass National Park, and to the Castle Hill Scenic Reserve, with its remarkable limestone rock formations, are also planned. The programme is graded in four sections, according to the age and fitness of participants. Grade 1 suits all ages; Grade 2 all ages except toddlers; grade 3 people of average fitness; and Grade 4 those with a good standard of fitness. Day walks will begin at the park’s visitor centre at 9.30 a.m., and half-day walks will begin at 10 a.m.

Activities will begin on Saturday, with a half-day walk to Lyndon Hill. Graded G2, this is described as a gentle climb on to Lyndon Hill for a commanding view of the eastern Craigieburn Range and valleys. The walk will be repeated on January 11. A long drive from the park to Lake Coleridge, and around the lake to the Harper River will take December 28 visitors to the start of an easy tramp (G2) up the river to the unusual geological formation known as the Pinnacles; This trip will be repeated on January 4.

On December 30 there will be a day walk, graded G 4 and described as a “steady climb,” to Hamilton Peak, one of the highest points in the Craigieburn Range. On December 31 there will be a half-day “stroll” (G 3 from the Castle Hill village through Thomas Bush to see some interesting geological features.

A “strenuous climb” (G 4 will take visitors on a day-long scramble over Mount Wall, overlooking the visitor centre, on Janury 2, and on January 5 there will be an easy half-day walk (G2) across Dracophyllum Flat, plus

visits to a ski lodge and a skating rink. January 3 and 4 have been set aside;for a twoday walk (graded G 3-4) from Grasmere station to Hamilton Hut: (via Cass Saddle) and down the Harper River to me.et,.the day visitors to—the Pinnacles. This is the .only activity in the park..for which a charge will >be made, but for their $lO participants will receive the night’s accommodation in the hut, and their food. ■ - On January 6 and 18 visitors will have a chance to traverse the cave through which Cave Stream flows in the scenic reserve, and on January 7 there will be a day-long climb to the Lagoon Saddle to see the alpine wetland plant communities. Participants in the cave traverse should take strong footwear, a change of clothing, and a torch each. The rating is G2. The Lagoon Saddle climb is rated G 3.

The all-day walk on January 10 will take visitors over the Camp and Lyndon Saddles, a ridgetop traverse between two low passes offering a variety of native plants and extensive views of the valley. This is rated G 3. A children’s programme has also been arranged, for each Tuesday and Friday between December 30 and January 9. Activities will start at 4 p.m. each day, and will include scavenger hunts, nature trails, arts and crafts, and games. These will be at the Cave Stream picnic shelter, near the park entrance if the weather is fine and in the visitor centre on wet days. Evening talks on such subjects as parks, mountain recreation, and forests will be given at 8 p.m. on December 27 and 31 and January 7. and 10 in the visitor centre, and there will be a barbecue at the Cave Stream picnic area at 5 p.m. on January 11.

Further details of the activities may be obtained from the park- headquarters or from the'Forest Service. . 'X