Waitakere Trails

Friday, 3 February 2012

Status Update 2

Status Update:

Before I head off on a 10 week adventure out of Auckland, and away from the Waitakeres, a quick status update is in order. I was hoping to reach 50 % completion before I left, but not quite.

Over the past 4 months I have run/walked 47 % of the Waitakere Track distance on 20 individual adventures into the ranges. Being a little selective with the loop I choose to run, I find I am now left with long loops, that are far away from my home location hence a great deal more effort and motivation is required to get myself out the door.

Combined with the fact I am now training for the T42 off-road marathon in May, I continually find that type and length of tracks doesnt quite match what is required in my training programme, so I tend to be running more in Riverhead forest and Okura Bush Walkway.

Also, the more I run in the Waitakeres, the more I realise that the majority of the tracks arent actually that runnable. Despite undertaking this in 2011/2012 summer period, I continually find the tracks are boggy and flooded, and the technical nature and rooty terrain is more conducive to walking and/or doing an ankle. Nevertheless, the objective of this exercise was to identify which of the tracks are actually runnable, and in the end, I hope that I will elucidate that.

Now, the stats:

Number of loops completed: 20 loops / 41 loops

Percentage of map distance completed: 47 %

Map distance of loops completed: 188 km / 399 km

Actual distance run (by GPS): 175 km

Longest Run - 2 Te Henga Walkway: 19 km

Shortest Run - 21 Anawhata Beach Track and Hettig Track: 2.1 km

Average Run: 9.2 km

Top Track: Long Road Track

Top 10 Tracks: see here

Total Travel: 1047 km

Quantity of data generated: TBC mb

Number of photos captured: TBC photos

Conquering the Waitakere Trails - 47 % complete (click to enlarge)

And so, until I return in April! Get off the couch!

18 - Omanawanui, Signal House, Destruction Gully and Kura Tracks (Whatipu)

View down Destruction Gully

Omanawanui Track

View of Omanawanui Track

Loop:	18 - Omanawanui, Signal House, Destruction Gully and Kura Tracks
Region:	Whatipu
Access Point:	Whatipu Road
Coordinates:	-37.02275 174.53527

Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
82	Destruction Gully	1.4
82	return Destruction Gully	1.4
-	Whatipu Rd	0.7
111	Kura Track	3.0
-	Whatipu Rd	0.4
67	Signal House Track	0.4
67	return Signal House Track	0.4
66	Omanawanui Track	3.0
-	Return Whatipu Rd	0.7
	Map Distance Measured Distance	11.4 11.7

Completed: Solo on 02 FEB 2012

66. Omanawanui Track

keywords:

Non-runnable (mostly), technical, rocks, roots, knee and waist high vegetation, dirt/grass/rock surface, single-track, well-marked, steep slope, exposed with some covered sections, view (360 degree views of the west coastline).

comments:

As far as views are concerned, this track is the highlight of the Waitakere Ranges. However as a running track it is not ideal. The terrain is very steep and technical with some areas overwhelmed with prickly vegetation. It is a good tramping track and ideal for building hill strength, but dont expect to be able to run the majority of the length.

67. Signal House Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, grass, wide-track, well-marked, easy slope, exposed, view (360 degree views of the west coastline).

comments:

A short diversion to the tip of the headland for stunning views.

82. Destruction Gully

keywords:

Runnable, technical, dirt surface, slippery, single-track, well-marked, steep to medium slope, bush-covered, view (Awhitu Peninsula and Manukau Heads).

comments:

Short, sharp and slippery 200 m descent/ascent from Whatipu Rd to sea level providing access to fishing rocks at Makaka Bay. Bit too steep and slippery to run up.

Top Section

111. Kura Track

keywords:

Runnable, technical, roots, river crossing, dirt surface, mud, slippery (when wet), single-track, well-marked, medium to steep slope, bush-covered, view (Whatipu River).

comments:

From Whatipu Rd there is a short section of Puriri Ridge Track then its a rapid descent along a very technical Kura Track to cross then meander alongside Whatipu River. Top section because its a long and mostly runnable track of a good length.

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 18 Omanawanui, Signal House, Destruction Gully and Kura Tracks in a larger map

Destruction Gully Track

Kura Track

Signal House Track (in distance)

Omanawanui Track

View of Paratutae Island and Ninepin Rock from Omanawanui Track

View of Awhitu Peninsula from Omanawanui Track

Saturday, 28 January 2012

21 - Anawhata Beach Track and Hettig Track (Anawhata)

Anawhata Beach Track

Hettig Track

Anawhata Beach

Loop:	21 - Anawhata Beach Track and Hettig Track
Region:	Anawhata
Access Point:	Anawhata Road
Coordinates:	-36.92389 174.45852 (Anawhata Beach Track)
	-36.92558 174.49526 (Hettig Track)

Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
115	Anawhata Beach Track	0.7
115	return Anawhata Beach Track	0.7
120	Hettig Track	0.5
120	return Hettig Track	0.5
	Map Distance Measured Distance	2.4 2.1

Completed: Solo on 27 JAN 2012

120. Hettig Track

keywords:

Runnable (only just), technical, roots, dirt/mud/clay surface, slippery, hands required, single-track, overgrown but well-marked, steep slope, stairs (few), bush covered, view (Marawhara Stream)

comments:

Hettig Track is a short, steep and slippery, and only just runnable, descent to Marawhara Stream and would be pointless as a standalone run.

Top Section

115. Anawhata Beach Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, gravel/dirt surface, medium width, well-marked, steep slope, exposed and bush covered, view (Anawhata Beach).

comments:

Quite a challenging run up because of the steep slope, but the amazing views are worth the return effort. Short and sharp run, of no use stand alone but rather to provide access to Anawhata Beach.

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile - Anawhata Beach Track

Elevation Profile - Hettig Track

View 21 Anawhata Beach Track and Hettig Track in a larger map

Anawhata Beach Track

Hettig Track

Line 1 Col 1

Line 1 Col 2

Friday, 20 January 2012

20 - Whatitiri, Long Rd, Lower and Upper (east) Kauri Tracks (Cascades)

Long Road Track

Lower Kauri Track

Upper Kauri Track (east)

Loop:	20 - Whatitiri, Long Rd, Lower and Upper (east) Kauri Tracks
Region:	Cascades
Access Point:	Falls Road
Coordinates:	-36.88622 174.51874

Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
28	Whatitiri Track	2.9
4	Long Road Track	4.8
4	return Long Road Track	3.2
15	Lower Kauri Track	1.9
14	Upper Kauri Track East	1.4
	Map Distance Measured Distance	14.2 13.1

Completed: Solo on 19 JAN 2012

28. Whatitiri Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, river crossing, dirt/grass surface, slippery (when wet), medium width, mostly well marked, medium to steep slope, open but bush-covered near Falls Road end.

comments:

Started out as a gentle bush covered track but ended in a steep and open ascent to Long Road. The track passes through farmland where directions were lacking somewhat. A unique and enjoyable piece of track combining bush with farmland!

15. Lower Kauri Track

keywords:

Runnable (partially), technical, roots, river crossings, dirt, muddy, slippery (when wet), single-track, well-marked, steep to medium slope, bush covered.

comments:

An extremely technical track with section upon section of roots to overcome, inter dispersed with open stretches where you can extend the legs. Only partially runnable and steep in places.

14. Upper Kauri Track (east)

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, board walk/gravel surface, medium width, well-marked, steep slope, stairs, bush covered.

comments:

This track is mostly gravel with vast stretches of boardwalk. The track is steep with a large quantity of stairs and passes by a number of Kauri trees.

Top Section

4. Long Road Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, rocks, gravel/grass/clay but mostly dirt, muddy, slippery (clay), medium-width, well-marked, medium to sleep slope, exposed and bush-covered, view (Waitakere Ranges).

comments:

This track has it all! The surface material changes from gravel, to grass, through to dirt and clay with some muddy sections, and then back to gravel where it overlaps with the Montana Heritage Trail. The Long Rd end is open, closing into bush-covered after 1 km. While non-technical in nature, the majority of the track undulates nicely to keep interest, and most sections are of a managable gradient. If joined with Ridge Road track, this would make an excellent and entirely runnable 17 km out and back.

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 20 Whatitiri, Long Rd, Lower and Upper (east) Kauri Tracks in a larger map

Whatitiri Track

Long Road Track

Lower Kauri Track

Upper Kauri Track (east)

Thursday, 19 January 2012

19 - Marawhara, White, Rose and Laird Thomson Tracks (Piha)

Marawhara Walk

White Track

View of Piha Beach from White Track

Loop:	19 - Marawhara, White, Rose and Laird Thomson Tracks
Region:	Piha
Access Point:	North Piha Road
Coordinates:	-36.94307 174.46645

Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
145	Marawhara Track	0.6
110	White Track	1.3
113	Rose Track	1.2
113	return Rose Track	0.6
126	Laird Thomson Track	0.6
	Beach	1.2
	Map Distance Measured Distance	5.5 5.6

Completed: Solo on 18 JAN 2012

145. Marawhara Walk

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, dirt surface, medium width, well-marked, flat slope, bush-covered.

comments:

A short flat track leading to a river and the start of White Track.

110. White Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, river crossing, dirt surface, some mud, single-track, well-marked, steep to medium slope, stairs, bush-covered, view (west coastline and inland).

comments:

Basically either a relentless up or down of a walking-type nature on a dirt track intermingled with the occasional set of muddy stairs. Some amazing views to be had.

126. Laird Thomson Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, head high vegetation, dirt surface, single-track, well-marked, steep to medium slope, stairs (few), bush-covered, view (west coastline).

comments:

Provides a quick escape from the spur to the beach. A visit to the look out is a must! A number of overhanging branches do upset the flow of this track when running.

Top Section

113. Rose Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, dirt/sand/concrete (driveway) surface, single-track, well-marked, steep to medium slope, exposed, view (Whites Beach).

comments:

Another relentless slope to be overcome. A concrete driveway with a grass verge links Anawhata Road to the start of the descent to the beach. Its a steep and long ascent/descent of 200 m from Anawhata Rd to White Beach. Top section, because if you can run the whole thing, then you have achieved something very special!

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 19 Marawhara, White, Rose and Laird Thomson Tracks in a larger map

Rose Track

Laird Thomson Track

White Track

Laird Thomson Track

View of Whites Beach from Laird Thomson Track

Sunday, 8 January 2012

16 - Huia Dam Rd, Nugget and Twin Peaks Tracks (Huia)

Huia Dam Road

Nugget Track

View of Manukau Harbour on a rainy summers day from Twin Peaks Track

Loop:	16 - Huia Dam Rd, Nugget and Twin Peaks Tracks
Region:	Huia
Access Point:	Huia Road
Coordinates:	-36.99589 174.56647

Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
63	Huia Dam Road	6
134 68	Nugget Track Huia Ridge Track	2 0.3
70	Twin Peaks Track	4.8
	Map Distance Measured Distance	13.1 13.4

Completed: Solo on 7 JAN 2012

63. Huia Dam Road

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, gravel road, easy to medium slope, partially bush-covered, view (Upper and Lower Huia Dams).

comments:

A gravel track of a consistent slope with only a couple of steep sections to contend with. A nice 12 km out and back that links both Upper and Lower Huia Dams.

134. Nugget Track

keywords:

Runnable (partially), technical, knee and head high vegetation, roots, hands required, mud/dirt/clay surface, slippery (when wet), single-track, well-marked, steep slope, mostly bush covered.

comments:

This is a long and steep 2 km climb from Upper Huia Dam to Huia Ridge. Probably quite enjoyable coming down but its a rough track, very slippery and only walkable in the wet.

Top Section

70. Twin Peaks Track

keywords:

Runnable (mostly), technical, knee and head high vegetation, roots, rocks, hands required, mud/dirt/clay surface, slippery (when wet), single-track, well-marked, steep slope, bush-covered, view (Manukau Harbour).

comments:

In the wet it is very slippery, muddy and prone to flooding. There is a big elevation gain/loss so be mentally prepared for that. You also visit the highest point in the Waitakere Ranges (Te Toiokawharu, (459 m on sign/474 m on topo)) but there is no view to be had just here, however, you are rewarded for your efforts further along. A long and rather enjoyable track, probably better appreciated in dry conditions.