Bush Bash 21

I revisit an old trench and pipe, hidden in the bush of Waterworks Valley.

With an hour and a half to spare, I considered embarking on a short adventure in the wilds of Wainuiomata. But where to go? About a year ago, I was shown an old trench and pipe concealed in the bush near the Waterworks Track, an unsealed road used to service the water raceway from the original dam. I decided to revisit this site and follow the trench from start to finish.

I entered the bush at a concealed spot on Reservoir Road. Once inside, I trekked up a slope, made slippery by recent rain. I continued until I reached the start of the trench that was undoubtedly man-made. I ventured into the trench, pushing aside small trees and vegetation that covered it. Perhaps only 20 metres long, it led to the water pipe, which seemed to be perpendicular to the main pipe running under the old Waterworks Track, also known to some as Upper Road. It was quite dark in the bush, as it was late in the day and clouds were blocking the sun. Consequently, I had to turn on my flash to take some photos.

Upon inspection of the pipe, I wondered what its purpose was. The pipe comes out of the nearby bank and then overhangs the slope at the end. There is also large metal gearing of some kind in the area, but I could not find it this time around. Nevertheless, I have included a photo of it from last time in the photo gallery below.

I then walked along Waterworks Track with bush bashing through the overgrown section, till I came to a curved mound that looked like a dam. It’s purpose however, could have been to conceal and protect the old main water pipe beneath or maybe it was just part of the old road. Moving on, I passed a concrete manhole and then it was onto Concrete Hut. I entered through the main doorway and took photos of the wall where a water meter once hung on the wall. I then continued along the Waterworks Track, but then it started raining, so I descended a steep slope into the bush below the old track to reach Reservoir Road below.

Although this wasn’t a particularly long or adventurous trek compared to others I’ve undertaken, it was a great way to spend a spare hour or two. I managed to get my exercise for the day and document the trench and pipe with photos, something I had been planning to do. Having ticked that box, I headed over to Petone to watch a football game.