Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

No. 26 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Wesleydale – Maungatua – via 3 Kings. L Wiffen. Year round.”

Abt 25 km from car park.

Heenan Road to the Maungatuas and the Three Kings – Information and Trips Library

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26. 10/11/2021. Three Kings – Heenan Road. M. Leaders: Cathy Ferguson and Sue Nichol

18 Hikers set off from double gates where we parked our cars about 9.15 on a very warm humid day.

On a well formed farm track it is a steady climb through bush and morning tea was a stop, with views over the Taieri Plain.

As we climbed higher there was several stops to enjoy the views of Lake Waipori, Lake Waihola and the wider Taieri.

At the cattle yards where there was a small calf and 3 large cattle we turned right and walked up a rougher steep track until we reached the 3 Kings. Lunch stop was had at this point for a relax and a little banter.

We then headed back down the track to the vehicles. Amazing how going down always goes so much quicker.
A hot but warm day was finished with a drink at the Wobbly Goat.

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25. 23/06/2021. Three Kings Trig F.  M. Leaders: Eleanore and Peter

On a chilly calm morning, 23 rugged up trampers met at Heenan Road at 10:10am and headed through the gate, where we were greeted by a few cattle, who had made the track quite mucky.  It is a steady climb up the farm track, enjoying views of lower Taieri at regroup stops.
By 11am we came across a sunny spot to enjoy smoko, probably halfway to 3 Kings.

Keeping to the farm track we continued climbing to the wooden cattle yards, then headed right up a lesser defined track, arriving at the first big rock, glistening in the sun and surrounded by smaller ones.  Even though the air was very chilly, it was a good spot for photos and views.

Next, keeping right, we followed the track up and around to 3 Kings, arriving around 12ish.  They are 3 rocks, rather spread out, sort of in a row.  There was plenty of that nasty Spaniard grass amongst Dracophyllum — common on the tops of Maungatua.  Once again, we climbed on them, to take photos.  Thin air up here at 647 metres!!
By now we were thinking about coffee and lunch, so we left on our way back down.
Soon after Trig F was spotted up a muddy cattle track so 16 of the group made the climb to say they had been to this trig which is slightly higher than 3 Kings at 703 metres.

Soon after, round 12:30ish, all met up on the track for lunch in the sun.
We had been given permission from land owners to visit their little hut in the bush near the cattle yards.  It is really well set up, with a couple of beds, I would think many good times have been enjoyed in that hut.

We left the hut at 1:30pm for our downhill walk to the cars enjoying beaut views, particularly the intricate set of channels, swamps and lakes between Waipori and Waihola and also the Taieri river at the start of Taieri Gorge.

It is a nice way to end the day walking amongst the very old Beech trees amongst the native bush.

On returning to the cars at 2:30pm, it was good to remove the muddy boots before going to Willowfield for coffee and cake.  Another great outing, thanks Peter Gillespie and Arthur Heenan for great navigational skills leading us.  This was the first visit to 3 Kings for some members.  Good company, good friends, good fun makes us all happy.
I contacted Michelle & Steve and sent a couple of pics. thanking them for going through their property.
Eleanore Ryan & Peter Gillespie

 

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24. 14/11/2018. Hikers. Three Kings from Heenan Road. M. Leaders: Ian and Doug.

Thirty of those who weren’t away at the Hollyford Camp turned out to tackle the 4WD track up to Three Kings. Three Ramblers, who have chosen for themselves the name “The Eighties Plus” dropped back to continue at their own pace, getting ultimately as far up as the last gate on the track. The rest, with occasional rest stops and regroupings,

made it up the steadily graded track, overcoming the last very steep bits to reach the rocks high up on the Maungatua Range at its southern end by lunch time.

The day was fine and calm with only a little sharp wind up here persuading us to find our own sheltered but sunny spot for lunch. Quite a number of us were newer members and for many this was their first visit to these prominent rocks. Well done.

After a leisurely lunch, it was back down the track again, this time each at their own pace now that  it was a known route, and into the cars, to regather for coffee at Outram. A successful outing. – Ian and Doug.

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23. 17/5/2017. Hikers. Three Kings from Heenan Road. M. Leaders: Ian and Doug.

We navigated our cars to what for the Hikers was a new entry spot. Back in 2006 the Todd Group had denied us access through the paddock next to the old Wesleydale Camp which gave us access to a lovely track through the bush above it opening to gorse leading to the FWD track above. Now, back at the bottom of a big dip in  Heenan Road, there was an entry point to a parking spot up at the very bottom of that track, thanks to a hospitable owner’s permission.

Only 13 were able to turn out for the day. A first long-grassed paddock was the only steep effort, the track thereafter proving a delightfully modest steady gradient elevating us soon to impressive views over the Taieri plain. We stopped for morning tea at one such view,

but low cloud below us was  beginning to condense obscuring the former clear air.

Later, where we at last emerged from the bush part of the route, we stopped to point out to newer members the old way by which we used to reach this point. Beyond here, the track now steadily steepened the nearer we got to the Three Kings. We took it slowly, with frequent rests and regroupings. Until behold, there was a new track cut right across an extensive cleared area, changing the whole aspect of what we used to experience eleven and more years ago. The new track was even steeper, but at last all got there.

We hunkered down for lunch beneath the principle rock, sheltering from a brief but wetting rain shower.

But that was it. The day remained calm, if cool. We returned back down the way we had come, all very pleased at having achieved our object. One older member expressed their delighted at achieving a return to the rocks after such a long absence, having given up all hope of ever making it again.

We stopped for coffee at George’s ‘hairy’ goat cafe, delighted to meet up there with the Trampers’ other half of the club, returned just before us.

A satisfying day. Roll on the wintry weekend ahead. – Ian.

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22. 8/2/2017. Trampers. Maungatua Summit from Heenan Road. M. Arthur.

I believe this tramp was a “first’ for the club. We have been up to the “3 Kings” area many times in the past, but today we continued on to the summit.

A small group out today, only 4 of our regulars, 1 potential member and  1 guest: 6 in total.

We left the cars parked up a farm drive off Heenan Road. Our tramp began at 9.00 a.m. on the uphill farm road which goes around the south end of Maungatua, and out towards Mahinerangi.

It was a fine day, sunny but with many clouds. A cool S.W. breeze kept the temperature down.

Morning tea was taken in the last available sheltered spot, the leader being rubbished for stopping 5 minutes early though!

Up a farm track and then in to the tussock taking us up more steeply to trig “F” at 702 metres, from where we could look down onto the “3 Kings“.

Onward on a farm track, before turning off into the tussock for the last 3.25 km, single file following the fence line.

The summit was reached at 12.05 p.m. for our lunch stop. Sitting down in the shelter of the vegetation was necessary to get out of the wind. The sunny periods were very welcome as we ate and rested.

Before taking our leave, the obligatory photo of the group at the summit marker post was taken.

Just at this time the red helicopter flew over us at low altitude, our waves being returned.

No rescue needed today, though, thankfully.

After about 2 km on the return journey we took to the farm track for the remainder. It was somewhat easier going, and also gave a little variation from the inward track.

The wind had eased early afternoon, and then changed to a southerly breeze. Showers were visible in the Balclutha-Milton direction, but were then going out to sea and not towards us.

Lower down we stopped briefly to admire the view out over the lower Taieri Plain. The whole area was bathed in sunshine, and was a real picture. The views from the top of Maungatua had been spoiled a little by all the cloud shadows on the landscape.

Back at the cars at 3.00 p.m. it had been a neat 6 hours from go to whoa. A very satisfactory day’s tramp in the leader’s opinion. Total distance was 17 km, and an altitude climb of 800 metres.

The timing was absolutely perfect!

As we sat down after ordering our drinks at “The Hairy Goat” the rain arrived!

Thanks to all who participated in the day’s very successful tramp. – Art.

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21. 22/10/2014. Trampers. Three Kings. M.
This weeks tramp was to the “Three Kings” at the south end of the Maungatua’s. Six trampers travelled to McLaren Rd, drove around past the Lavender farm to our parking place just inside the farm yard gate. Jill went & got the key for us, & then drove back home again, leaving us to find our way up to the tops. The walk was on farm 4WD tracks all the way up, with just a short walk through tussock to the Three Kings where we had lunch in the shelter from a strong cold wind. Then it was a quick retreat back down again out of the wind, & back to the cars. Walked 12km; 4.1 km/h ave; 3hrs moving; climbed 690m.
The view from the top was very good, but the cold wind didn’t make for pleasant viewing. We practised our Coffee Club by calling into the Outram coffee shop on the way home where a good chat session was had. – Ken

18/10/2006 Jeff Todd of Todd Group 477 8902 (10/06). Todd Group had bought Wesleydale and paddock and allowed it to be used for army live firing! Access through all this area denied.