17 enthusiastic WOPpers gathered at Mt Albert train station all wrapped up against the cold. However, we soon shed those layers once we started our trek up to the summit of Mt Albert & beyond! First up was Owairaka/Mt Albert, our 1st maunga to summit. This mountain, as with all those others we traversed today, has a rich history & was one of many important Maori pa sites in the region. After enjoying the view, we headed down a muddy track named Mt Royal Track (see pic). On the way to no.2 volcano (Mt Roskill) we walked part of the Oakley Creek walkway & passed thru various parks such as Underwood & Walmsley Park & Mt Roskill War Memorial Park. It is a wide pathway with much planting done by the creek which was looking very tidy & clean. We enjoyed morning tea in the sun in this area (see pics). Mt Roskill is a scoria cone volcano dated at about 105,000 years ago. Awesome views up here looking out to the Manukau Harbour, Titirangi, Laingholm, etc & in the far distance Mt Donald where the other WOPSs group was tramping today. We could also see far away One Tree Hill which we hoped to get to for lunch. 

It was interesting walking near the busy motorway & crossing over it on the Keith Hay Park Footbridge. In the end we had lunch on the summit of Three Kings with the backdrop of the water tower with a painting on it of The Dog from Footrot Flats. Only Big King still stands with both East & South King quarried away. This volcano, perhaps the most complex as it first erupted some 28,500 years ago & created a lake of molten lava in the area of present day Three Kings Primary School. The eruptions & lava flow also created lava caves that dot backyards throughout surrounding suburbs. After lunch there was no.4 to knock off. However, as time constraints were starting to prevail, by mutual agreement we skirted around the foot of One Tree Hill & admired the monument from afar. No-one seemed to mind missing a hill! Very pleasant walking thru the paddocks & one last look back at the monument. This area comprises of One Tree Hill Domain & Cornwall Park. Then hurrah! Mt St John, up the hill & along some new boardwalks & steps & we had done the 5 volcanoes!  Again, awesome views from the top. 

We had a perfect day for this type of walk, calm & clear & coolish, so certainly worth the effort. Thanks, Elizabeth, for ushering us down all the side streets & pathways to reach our destinations. Today we did about 16 kms as we missed the summit of One Tree Hill. We caught the train from Remuera just before 3pm so got back into the city for everyone to go their respective ways in good time. Thanks to all & happy holidays everyone. See you in Term 3! 

Colleen W.

Click here to see Colleen’s photos