Trip Report - Black Forest road 23rd June 2024
Trip Report 23 June 2024
Trip over Black Forest Station
On a very chilly cloudy day 6 vehicles met up at the Weston hall.
We drove along Horse Gully Rd to State Highway 83 to go to Kurow where we would meet up with 2 more vehicles.
We then travelled to the Haka Pass via McHenry Rd, past Foveran Deer Park then crossed the Haka River onto Hakataramea Valley Rd.
Morning tea was by the Cattle Creek hall before continuing on to the Haka Pass.
It was a nice easy drive over the Pass, no snow but we did encounter misty rain.
There was no rain at the Haldon Arm camp where we met up with our trip leader Chris and other vehicles. It was very nice they had a camp fire going to warm up beside.
A couple of club members brought barbeques plus a hot plate over the fire for some of us to BBQ our lunches on.
After lunch we continued on Haldon Rd. past Haldon Station, drove alongside Lake Benmore and onto Black Forest Station.
Driving along the pylon track it was a well formed road with no major challenges.
The road took us high into the hills with great views of Lake Benmore and the mountains.
We had a brief stop up the high hill to take in the views of Lake Benmore, the Benmore dam and Otematata in the distance before driving the winding track down the hill.
We stopped at a nice bay beside the lake for some people to have a cuppa and a debrief before continuing on to the locked gate at the dam. Some of us then stopped at the Otematata Hotel for a liquid refreshment.
All in all it was a very nice enjoyable day and great to get out and about.
Thanks to Chris and Fern for planning our trip today.
Michelle McFarlane
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