Cool trip to the rock rings all the bells

Maungaharuru Range: Bell Rock to Taraponui, Wednesday 26 October 2018
Map BH39

After a very windy night that kept me (the organiser) awake worrying, daybreak brought calm conditions with bright, sunny skies.

Two vans filled with 20 happy trampers left Church Road, Taradale, picked up Denise at Bay View, turned left at the Tutira store, headed inland and finally arrived at the Bell Rock car park.

A pleasant walk through regenerating bush brings you onto open grassed tops and along to the Bell Rock, which sits at 979m and juts out over the Mohaka River valley below. The track appeared to have been “weed eated” recently and cleared of any storm damage.

Photos taken, and a quick morning tea as the breeze was pretty chilly, then it was onwards to the lunch spot at Taraponui. A small group chose not to come all the way and had their lunch on a sunny hillside before returning to the car park. The rest carried on, crossing grassy paddocks to reach the access road which winds its way up to the communications towers on the Taraponui high point. It was a beautiful clear day and at 1300m, there was a spectacular view in every direction.

We took shelter from the cool breeze in the hollow below what remains of the wooden trig to have our lunch, relaxing and taking in the view until a big grey cloud along with a gust of cold wind sent us scurrying from our lookout.

Retracing our steps, but taking detours along the cliff edge to marvel at the rock formations, it was an easy stroll back to Bell Rock where we congregated. With the chilly wind, it was no time to sit around so we headed back along the tops and down through the bush, arriving back at the vans about 3pm.

Amazing views make this tramp a club favourite and today, it didn’t disappoint.

Trampers: Denise B, Marie, Gordon, Juliet, Vic, Bruce, Denise P, Sue M, Peter I, Keith, John B, John B, Dorothy, Hilary, John, Lynette, Robyn, Colleen, Geoff and reporter Alison.