3/11/2010 @ 10:30

3/11/2010

Auckland, NZ
305 Queen St
Auckland,

Cascade Tracks This is a great little park hidden away behind a golf course and a very popular spot for a couple of swimming holes during summer weekends - probably a good thing we are going there during the week - might actually get a park! Weather - Good in any weather - often not raining when the city is Fitness ÂÂ- Good at least Suitability- Everybody.. dont worry we go slow up hills too Terrain ÂÂ- A range Track ÂÂ- In good shape generally - one protion over rocks can be a bit slippy Suitable footwear - recommend walking boots, but enclosed trainers will manage Duration ÂÂ- 1-2hrs excluding stops The Track There are a range of tracks here but all very suitable for all, with some even being metaled - ekkk..:-) The combination of Tracks we are going to take starts at the car park crossing over the main stream (huge bridge) which we walk along side for bout 10mins before tackling the hardest part, a 30 - 40mins climb up the Cascades track to the ridge above Toetoeroa stream. The pay off is the fantastic views back down the valley for what feels like a great height. This part of the track has lots of stands of kauri and is mostly under native bush. The next part takes us on to the flat road way across the top of the massive Waitakere dam with even more stupendous views down the valley, before we exit the far end of this dam on to the Waitakere tramline track (pretty flat since its got a rail line on it) and follow that to the west tunnel mouth of the waitakere tramline. Here we pick up Anderson track and return down hill(phew) to rejoin the track we started on. There is a side track here of about 10mins that leads to a popular swimming hole at the base of a waterfall on the Toetoeroa stream for any one keen! Over all gradients - start with a hill that makes you puff and appreciate life (track is excellent) then its pretty much down hill to the dam wall - followed by flat section and down hill to the carpark. How to get there >From the city get take the Lincoln road exit, universal drive - Swanson road. >Follow Swanson road through the town ship and just after the Swanson railway on the left - and just past the railway crossing you cross a stream bridge - continue straight ahead up the hill this will be scenic drive (Waitakere road exits right but on the map it makes it look like scenic drive is doing the exiting!) Continue straight ahead in to Scenic drive north passing immediately under a railway over bridge. Take fourth on the right off scenic drive north - this is Te Henga road. The first road on your left off Te Henga road is Falls road - take it (there is likely to be a sign for waitakere golf club also) follow this road past the golf club and as far as you can go and eventually you will come a steel gate(open) a park sign, continue on you as far as you can go and you will arrive at a large car park with and information shelter and toilet block. I will park as close as i can to the buildings and display the meetup sign in my car windows. Stay on Te Henga road, (Bethells road will join from the right at one point - keep going straight ahead - your now on Bethells road) Eventually you will wind down a tight little hill with swamp on both sides and see the Bethells surfboard up right on the road side (right) shortly past that you will come to a one lane bridge, cross over and there is parking to the left. Recommended Gear >Day pack >hot weather shirt + cold weather shirt >Lunch >Camera >Water/drink of choice (great in a bladder type drink bottle) >Togs (if you dare) / towel >Hat / sunscreen/ sunglasses >Warm top (fleece highly recommended) >Rain coat >Small personal first aid kit (required medications also) >Spare clothes in the car - if you work up a sweat it can be nice not to have to sit in your sweaty.. Look forward to seeing you Cheers Will