Status Update 1

Status Update:

Three months have passed since I wrote the Introduction for this mission back on 1 OCT 2011. 

Some of the numbers quoted have changed since I first set the loop tracks on 14 OCT 2011 but I wont bore you with the details, as its a work in progress and will not be perfect until the end, and even then, probably not! But I hope eventually it will become a resource that can be used by at least one other Waitakere runner out there!

Of note however:

* Some tracks are closed due to Kauri Dieback, and this is usually found out on the day!

* New tracks appear such as Beveridge, Knutzen and Ussher Tracks.

No 'status update' is complete without a list of statistics to recognise how much progress has been made, so here goes:

Number of loops completed: 13 loops / 41 loops

Percentage of map distance completed: 31 %

Map distance of loops completed: 122 km / 394 km

Actual distance run (by GPS): 122 km

Longest Run - 2 Te Henga Walkway: 19 km

Shortest Run - 12 Walker Kauri and Sharp Bush Track: 2.5 km

Average Run: 9.2 km

Top Track: Odlin Timber Track

Top 10 Tracks: see here

Total Travel: 611 km

Quantity of data generated: 859 mb

Number of photos captured: 742 photos

And finally, an image summing up the coverage of the quest:

Conquering the Waitakere Trails - 31 % complete (click to enlarge)

14 - Waitakere Dam and Tramline Walk, West Tunnel Mouth, Anderson, Auckland City Walk and Fenceline (north) Tracks (Cascades)

Waitakere Dam Walk

Waitakere Tramline Walk

Waitakere Dam and Reservoir

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	14 - Waitakere Dam and Tramline Walk, West Tunnel Mouth, Anderson, Auckland City Walk and Fenceline (north) Tracks
Region:	Cascades
Access Point:	Scenic Drive
Coordinates:	-36.90012 174.54278
Track #	Track Name	Distance
116	Waitakere Dam Walk	1.4
23	Waitakere Tramline Walk	1.6
30	West Tunnel Mouth Track	0.4
18	Anderson Track Southern Access	0.7
-	Scenic Drive	0.3
18	Anderson Track Northern Access	2.3
16	Auckland City Walk	1.5
19	Fenceline Track (north)	1.4
116	return Waitakere Dam Walk	1.4
	Map Distance Measured Distance	11.0 11.3

                                                                                                                        

Completed: Solo on 27 DEC 2011

116. Waitakere Dam Walk

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, tar-seal, well-marked, medium to steep, not covered, view (Waitakere Dam).

comments:

An extremely smooth surface ideal for running with a stroller.

23. Waitakere Tramline Walk

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, tram-tracks, gravel, single-track (alongside tram-tracks), well-marked, flat, stairs (few), bush-covered, view (tunnel).

comments:

A flat and easy gravel run on a narrow strip that runs along side the tram-tracks. Take care, as the tracks can still trip you up somehow. Also, watch your head in the tunnel.

30. West Tunnel Mouth Track

keywords:

Runnable, technical, rocks, roots, dirt surface, single-track, well-marked, steep slope, bush-covered.

comments:

A short, steep and gnarly track with roots and rocks underfoot. Its over before you have warmed up to it.

16. Auckland City Walk

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, gravel/dirt, wide, well-marked, easy slope, bush-covered, view (kauri and other natives).

comments:

An extremely well utilised, even-surfaced track. A very easy 1.5 km loop that can add distance to any of the other tracks that feed off this one.

19. Fenceline Track (north)

keywords:

Runnable, technical, roots, dirt/mud, single-track, well-marked, steep slope, stairs (few), bush-covered.

comments:

This track is a bit of a mess but ideal for the trail runner over the Sunday stroller. Stairs, roots and mud galore, and its steep. Great fun. 

                                                                                                                        

Top Section

18. Anderson Track

keywords:

Runnable, technical, roots, rocks, dirt/mud, river-crossing, single-track but wider in places, well-marked, steep slope, stairs (large quantity), bush-covered.

comments:

A good balance of technical and non-technical sections on this track, and a satisfying abundance of stairs. 

                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 14 - Waitakere Dam and Tramline Walk, West Tunnel Mouth, Anderson, Auckland City Walk and Fenceline (north) Tracks in a larger map

West Tunnel Mouth Track

Anderson Track

Anderson Track

Anderson Track

Fenceline Track (north)

Fenceline Track (north)

Auckland City Walk

13 - Exhibition Drive, Beveridge and Slip Tracks, and Pipeline Road (Arataki)

Exhibition Drive

Slip Track

Beveridge Track

Pipeline Road

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	13 - Exhibition Drive, Beveridge and Slip Tracks, and Pipeline Road
Region:	Arataki
Access Point:	Scenic Drive
Coordinates:	-36.93699 174.64421
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
50	Exhibition Drive	3.2
146?	Beveridge Track	1.6
25	Slip Track	1
52	Pipeline Road	2
-	Exhibition Drive (road section)	0.5
50	return Exhibition Drive	3.2
	Map Distance Measured Distance	11.5 12.3

                                                                                                                        

Completed: Solo on 26 DEC 2011

146. Beveridge Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, currently some clay but eventually gravel surface, medium width, bush-covered, easy to medium slope, view (Lower Nihotupu Reservoir, Manukau and Waitemata Harbours).

comments:

A brand new track providing a link between Exhibition Drive and Arataki Visitors Centre thus opening up more loop options. There are both flat and steepish sections on this shortish run.

25. Slip Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, narrow gravel track at Arataki end, widening to a dirt road, well marked, mostly bush-covered, steep slope, some stairs, view.

comments:

Either a steep up or down, depending on direction but a nice surface underfoot. 360 degree views at the Arataki Visitors Centre enroute.

52. Pipeline Road

keywords:  
Runnable, non-technical, gravel, wide, well-marked, medium slope, not bush-covered

comments:
Undulating gravel road with a sharp steep section in the middle. Links to Exhibition Drive by a steep road section.

                                                                                                                        

Top Section

50. Exhibition Drive

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, gravel, wide, well-marked, flat, mostly bush-covered, view (Manukau Harbour).

comments:

A well utilised flat gravel track ideal for an easy 6.4 km out and back.

                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 13 - Exhibition Drive, Beveridge and Slip Tracks and Pipeline Road in a larger map

Exhibition Drive

Beveridge Track

Slip Track

Pipeline Road

11 - Old Coach, Fairy Falls and Goodfellow Tracks (Cascades)

Old Coach Road Track

Goodfellow Track

Fairy Falls Track

Fairy Falls

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	11 - Old Coach, Fairy Falls and Goodfellow Tracks
Region:	Cascades
Access Point:	Mountain Rd
Coordinates:	-36.90865 174.55678
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
39	Old Coach Road Track	2.1
36	Fairy Falls Track - west	1
38	Goodfellow Track	1
38	return Goodfellow Track	1
36	Fairy Falls Track - east	1.8
	Map Distance Measured Distance	6.9 6.8

                                                                                                                        

Completed: Solo on 21 DEC 2011

38. Goodfellow Track

keywords:  
 runnable, non-technical, river-crossings, gravel, single-track, well-marked, steep, stairs (large quantity), bush-covered, view (Auckland City).

comments:
Stairs, and a lot of them! Otherwise a nice piece of even gravel single track...with stairs!!

36. Fairy Falls Track

keywords:

runnable,  non-technical, river-crossings, even gravel surface, wide, slippery river-crossings, well-marked, easy to medium slope, but steep near falls, stairs (large quantity), bush-covered, view (Fairy Falls).

comments:

A nicely presented gravel track for the masses and a huge quantity of stairs to ease the slope around the falls.

                                                                                                                        

Top Section

39. Old Coach Road Track

keywords:

runnable, technical, roots, rock/dirt, some mud, slippery rocks, medium width, well-marked, steep to medium slope, bush-covered.

comments:

A nice long stretch of bush track of a challenging gradient. The slippery rock material near the Mountain Rd end is quite trying.
                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 11 Old Coach, Fairy Falls and Goodfellow Tracks in a larger map

Old Coach Road Track

Goodfellow Track

Fairy Falls Track

View from Goodfellow Track

12 - Walker Kauri and Sharp Bush Tracks (Cascades)

Walker Kauri Track

Sharp Bush Track

Walker Kauri, named after its protector W.R. Walker

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	12 - Walker Kauri and Sharp Bush Tracks
Region:	Cascades
Access Point:	Mountain Rd
Coordinates:	-36.90413 174.56431
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
119	Sharp Bush Track	1.2
119	return Sharp Bush Track	1.2
-	Road	0.2
34	Walker Kauri Track	0.75
34	return Walker Kauri Track	0.75
-	Road	0.2
	Map Distance Measured Distance	4.3 2.5

                                                                                                                        

Completed: Solo on 21 DEC 2011
Note: Map distances were obtained from the ARC  website and may be return distances.

34. Walker Kauri Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, roots, dirt, single-track, well-marked, easy slope, bush-covered, view (Large Kauri tree).

comments:

A very short track (400 m) of an easy gradient. Not worth the effort unless linked with Sharp Bush Track by a 200 m section of Mountain Rd.

                                                                                                                        

Top Section

119. Sharp Bush Track

keywords:  
Runnable, technical, roots, river-crossing, dirt, medium width, well-marked, medium slope, but steep in places, stairs (only a few), bush-covered.

comments:
An enjoyable short and sharp track (600 m), suitable for hill repeats. Some challenging sections due to tree roots.

                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile - Walker Kauri Track

Elevation Profile - Sharp Bush Track

View 12 Walker Kauri - Road - Sharp Bush in a larger map

Walker Kauri Track

Sharp Bush Track

Sharp Bush Track