Leaders, report and photos: Heather and Robin
Ten trampers met at the carpark on Okuti Valley Road before heading up through the Okuti Valley Scenic Reserve enjoying the native bush and keeping quiet (difficult) so we could enjoy the bird song. Signs of autumn were evident with a number of different fungi sighted including an impressive fungi growing in the fork of a tree. We continued up Reserve Road initially through forest and then followed the track up to the ridge line below French Peak. By this stage we were being battered by some very strong winds with the odd drops of rain, fortunately this abated during the afternoon. We headed on downhill towards Hill Top stopping for lunch where we found shelter near some old farm buildings. Although we were getting close to the end of the track at the Hill Top Road, the group made the decision to turn back at this point, we had walked a total of 13km and climbed 717 metres.
Port Hills Walkers 