Postponed until Sunday May 29, Check here Saturday evening for possible further changes.

Our first visit to the new Ed Hillary Hope Reserve, established by the Native Forest Restoration Trust and opened in May 2015. The new reserve contains 180 hectares of established forest and more than 280 hectares of farm land well suited for restoration. It adjoins the Four Brothers Scenic Reserve, and is crossed by the Hamilton Raglan Road. The reserve and restoration project contribute significantly to the network of protected native forest areas within 20 kilometres of Hamilton. It will also become part of Waikato Regional Council’s Halo Project, which involves active pest animal control at selected sites near Hamilton to support birdlife such as tui and kereru.

To assist restoration and protection efforts, more information is needed on the existing flora of the reserve. Meet at the Landcare carpark in Hamilton at 9 am, or the reserve entrance on Old Mountain Road (approximately 826 Old Mountain Road), Waitetuna at 9.45. If the weather is bad we may postpone the trip until a later date. Send the trip organiser an email if you are planning on coming and wish to be kept informed of any changes, and/or check this site.

Bring boots suitable for wet ground (there is a small stream crossing as we enter the reserve), lunch, wet weather gear.

Grade: Moderate, we will probably walk a loop up and down a couple of ridges near the entrance, some of it on old farm tracks, followed by some exploration of wetter sites near the stream.