Walkways of Otago: McQuilkans Crk/Craiglowan Falls Traditional Cache
Walkways of Otago: McQuilkans Crk/Craiglowan Falls
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(large)
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This 5L cache is located at the near McQuilkans Creek in the
Silverstream/Whare Flat area.
Access to this cache is to park at the start of Sanatorium Road on
the Whare Flat - Flagstaff Road. This road starts about halfway
down the hill from the bullring carpark. See the additional
waypoint below for the start of the road. This road has a locked
gate on it but is public access for walking.
Walk along the road until just after it crosses a small creek on a
left hand bend (see additional waypoint). This is where the track
leaves the road and starts towards Bell Hill Creek. The track is
very overgrown but follows a benched path on an old crawler trail
until it reaches the native bush where it drops sharply into the
Bell Hill creek valley.
The cache is located on the track leading down to the Bell Hill
creek. Craiglowan waterfalls can be access by boulder hopping back
up the McQuilkans creek which is downstream from the clearing a
little way. Be aware the falls may not be available during heavy
rain but cache will be.
There is a deepish gorge up Bell Hill creek a little way (100m
approx.) - this is also worth a visit (just).
Walking times to this cache can vary between an hour if your fit
and 2 hours if your not.
The cache is a camo painted 5L jam bucket and when placed the cache
contained along with a logbook and pencils; a small camo micro
cache container, an Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy) install disk, various other
trades and a couple of travel bugs.
More details about this track can be found in the book "Dunedin
Tracks and Trails" by Anthony Hamel available from the library.
**** CAUTION ****
* This track is more of a route, while well formed in places it
does occasionally disappear under the brush making it easy to get
lost. There are bits of blue tape tied to the trees along the route
- I suggest taking your own brightly colored fabric or plastic ties
to mark your route. Ensuring your GPS is marking the track is also
a good idea.
* The Flagstaff - Swampy area is known for its extreme weather
conditions. Heavy fog can roll in on a sunny day with no clouds in
the sky in as little as 15 minutes.
Appropriate precautions need to be taken when entering this
reserve.
* Take adequate warm clothing (even on hot days), food and water.
* Always tell someone where you are going and estimated time of
arrival home.
* There are some very steep drop offs on either side of the creek
bed so be careful.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gbc bs pyrnevat, onfr bs ynetr shpufvn oruvaq perrcref
Treasures
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