Trip 051 - Macetown - Arrow Valley

 

DATE: April 29-30
LEADER: Rodger Clarkson  (021 0268 2778)
TRIP GRADE: All (Multiple Options)

Gold was discovered in the Arrow Rive in 1862, which led to the establishment of the Macetown settlement. 100 years later, in 1962, the Otago Tramping Club made the club’s first visit to Macetown during Queen’s Birthday. Since then, there have been close to 20 trips to the Arrow Valley, with the most recent being a large trip during Labour Weekend 2016.

Leaving Dunedin on Fri 28th April at 6:00pm we’ll drive to my sister’s just out of Arrowtown and camp on her lawn ($10 fee). We’ll leave fairly smartly on Saturday morning to be away from Arrowtown before 9:00am.

I see 3 options for Saturday:

1. An (E)asier graded party could follow the river track to Macetown which should leave plenty of time to explore the area up there.

2. A (M)edium party could head over the Big Hill Track to Macetown.

3. A (F)itter party could head over Big Hill with a side trip up Brow Peak. Potentially the M&F groups could also do a shortish sidetrip to German Hill for views over Arrowtown in Autumn Colours.

We’ll camp in Macetown on the Saturday night. My plan would be to head out the river valley on Sunday but could also do detours via New Chums Gulley/Tobins Track on the way out.

I’d also recommend doing the short walk to the hilltop above the cemetery to capture Arrowtown at its autumnal best before driving home.

I am likely to limit numbers on this trip (20?), with priority given to club members, and will only take club transport (4 to a car) to minimise number of vehicles used. When signing up please indicate which option you prefer.