Trip 033: Rosella Ridge - River Track - Gold Miners Direct

 

DATE: February 5, 2023
LEADER: Mark Stephenson (027 615 1870
TRIP GRADE: Moderate (5-7 hrs)
MEET: Woodhaugh, 8am

Rosella Ridge is an informal name for the main ridge that diverts from the northern side of the Green Hill to Pulpit Rock ridge (track) and runs directly to the South Waikouaiti river. The name appeared in the 1980’s (from David Barnes & Richard Pettinger?), but was erroneously referred to as ‘Parakeet Ridge’ on OTMC trip programmes from the mid to late 1980’s.

Like many of the tracks in the Silver Peaks, Rosella Ridge varied in usability in the 1980’s and 1990’s, but since the formation of the Green Hut Track Group a lot of tracks, including Rosella Ridge, are maintained to a high standard by the volunteers in the track group – the OTMC continue to deeply appreciate the work and commitment of the Green Hut Track Group.

Earlier Rosella Ridge trips sometimes became ‘geographically embarrassed’ in finding a way back to the road once the river was met, but the creation of the River Track and the recently re-routed Gold Miners Direct track now makes this a breeze. This trip highlights the importance of the River Track and interconnecting tracks.