First up the cliff steps to view the gannets. Most of the chicks had arrived and grown, however, there was still a significant number of birds for us to view and photograph. Immediately behind the cliff area we took two shortish tracks namely Quarry and Edwin Mitchelson that climbed up to the highpoint at the southern end of Muriwai.
Oaia Road provided the link to Houghton's Bush Camp which in turn provided the access to Houghton's Bush Track.This Anglican Church owned camp provides courses for young people and promotes healthy development with outdoor experiences. Houghton's Bush Track drops down to just above sea level and leads into Houghton's Farm. We were allowed access through this very picturesque farm by the kind permission of Glen Houghton who has a great reputation for allowing access to all sorts of organisations.As we passed through the farm we encountered at least 20 anglers fishing from the bank's of Okaihau Lake. This lake is absolutely beautiful and has an abundance of waterlily type growth around the perimeter.
Shortly after exiting the farm the route followed a rather swampy area leading to forest tracks that bordered the western section of the Okiritoto Stream. We found a very nice spot for lunch on the stream banks that provided some shade from the now very sunny and humid weather.
After lunch we followed the stream to eventually exit at the northern end of Coast Road. This lead us into the southern end of Woodhill Forest. A couple of forest roads later and a short bush bash to cut a corner we reached the starting point for our climb/scramble up to Pulpit Rock.
The view from this well named rocky outcrop is quite something as you look across the forest treetops to the white beach and surf beyond and out to the Tasman Sea. Ian G. rightly pointed out that the rock itself was only at an altitude of 90 metres so I plead guilty to a bit of false advertising in saying it was at 166 metres. Although we were at Pulpit Rock itself the highpoint was on a neighbouring farm that was fenced off and did not allow access. A scramble down the same way we came up was followed by us splitting into two groups. A faster one that struck out on a forestry road westwards to the beach and a slower one that retraced their steps to the northern end of Coast Road then out to the beach. This second group had the advantage of some shelter from the now very, very hot and humid weather.
From here both groups headed south along the beach and got a little bit of a welcoming breeze coming in from the sea. It was great to see several potential new members who had returned for a second tramp, having done the Karangahake George one the week before. The local cafe/takeaway did a roaring trade as many of us were eager to cool down with ice-cream, milkshakes and the like. Back in Takapuna we set what was probably a new record of late for those retiring to The Copper Room for a nice cold beer with nine of the eighteen trampers in attendance.
All in all a nice day out !