Last Updated: 29th Sep 2023
Racing to Rain Gauge
Last Updated: 29th Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 21
Gnarl Factor: 33
16.0km
650m
630m
647m
Last Updated: 29th Sep 2023
Last Updated: 29th Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 21
Gnarl Factor: 33
16.0km
650m
630m
647m
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Riverside
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.9%
Average Downhill Gradient: -7.6%
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2:30
Slow
2:00
Moderate
1:20
Fast
At the junction of Flagstaff-Whare Flat Road and Rollinsons Road, start with a cruisy descent down a very quiet gravel road for about 3.5km before turning right on Silverstream Valley Rd where you will come to Silverstream carpark. This is the start of Raceman's track along an old abandoned water race. At the beginning make sure you stay close to the building to find the narrow track on the right hand side of the river.
Head along the rooty and undulating singletrack. Turn left to cross the river at the first sign for Powder Ridge (If you accidentally go straight you should end up back on the route again). As you continue the tracks become more well signposted. There are a few easy/shallow river crossings to negotiate. Continue along Raceman’s Track which becomes flatter and easier going. A couple of other tracks break off to the right and left so it is handy to have the map or route on your phone/watch.
Just before the 9k mark you meet Rain Gauge Spur track. This is the beginning of an awesome 3km ascent to your final goal, the hairpin bend on Swampy access track. Initially you climb steeply up the side of the spur, before reaching the top and following it along through manuka forest and eventually emerging onto the tussock with awesome views back across the Silver Peaks.
Turn right down Swampy Access Track and cruise the 4k descent back to your car.
Abandoned water race
There are parks on the side of the road just before the junction and just after it.
9 km
14 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
Between the Silverstream carpark and the beginning of Rain Gauge Spur track (km 4 to km 9) there are a few tracks breaking off on the right and left so a map is handy. Even if you do take the wrong turn it is possible to find your way back to the route easily with a map.
Very patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries.
Along Raceman's track you have easy access to a free flowing clear river which you have to cross a couple of times. Essentially no water after km 9 once on Rain Gauge Spur.
There are muddy patches along the trail which could become deep after rain but not impassable. The last km of Rain Gauge Spur is out of the tree line so potentially could be very windy.
Patti's and Cream
176 Eglinton Road, Mornington, Dunedin
https://www.pattisandcream.co/
The best ice cream in Dunedin hands down. Olive serves home made ice cream in hand rolled waffle cones. She also makes a mean milk bun burger if you're after something more savory. Check her facebook page in case shes serving down by the beach in her Bedford food truck.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Racing to Rain Gauge
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This could quite easily have been a wonderful 5 star rating bar one thing... but first let me say there is a wonderful run along a riverside and an old water race, then a true WT knarly climb that goes on forever and spits out some stunning views... unfortunately these wonderful bits of trail are bookended with 3.5km at the start and 4km at the end of boring as downhill gravel road.
January 17, 2021
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