2025/26 Accomplishments

• Planting 250 trees at the St James Homestead (completed)
• Road safety signs  (1 completed – second one to be put up)
• Signage at Homestead paddocks (completed)
• Signs in forest (completed)
• Tidy up of fence in Homestead Paddocks across creek (completed)
• Trek Training (10 & 11 October 2025) (completed)
• Widen Saddle Spur track where pig damage has occurred (completed by St James Cycle Trails Trust)
• Pole horse route down Stanley river from Stanleyvale to avoid walking track subsidence (completed)
• Mark shortcut track Lake Guyon – Waiau downstream also mark turn off to go up Lake hill (completed)
• Dunblane track. Track will be marked with tape before Christmas and track slashed in new year.  Once completed Mary is happy to lead a ride over there.    
• Digger to clear Jacks Pass pack track slips will be done before Christmas and then it will be sprayed.
• Heli Spraying: Glen Rae flat, Steyning Stream track, Jervois Bulldozer track (date to be confirmed).
• Rogerson-Tabletop track (funding application started) – approximately 2km already completed – ongoing project
• Corduroy across SV bog (completed)
  
   
• Third wire on some paddocks in Stanleyvale
• Water Troughs at Homestead paddocks (until the windmill is sorted out we can’t proceed with this task) – to be advised.
• Our Community Partnership with DOC has been renewed.
• Progress on Magdalen Valley public access (click on link) A long road to Steyning Spring | Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission

 Pete Hurst – Horse Trails South Trust – (HTST) (completed)

Horses return to Port Hills track

Kennedy’s Bush Track in the Port Hills of Canterbury is a legal road running from the houses behind Halswell Quarry up to Summit Road.

In the 1940’s the hills were frequented by horses and riders and thanks to Pete Hurst and the Trust, horse riders now have access along Kennedy’s Bush Track,

The legal road that the track follows sits adjacent to two private properties. There are gates that are about 1m wide, letting horses, bikes, and walkers through, but not vehicles. Ride up to Mount Ada and look down upon a stunning view of Lyttleton….

Pete Hurst – HTST – (completed)

Sladdens Bush Road Oxford can drive up to a turning area can be a bit muddy, room for 3- 4 floats. Or can park and ride in. Can ride to top left has a steep hill climb worth the views follow track around. This is a Hunting area so be mindful.

Pete Hurst – HTST – Bell Hill Ride (completed)

Drive down Dalethorpe road past the gliding club turning on the left, and then you will see the Bell Hill sign on the left set back off the road

You can drive up here for about 2-3 km and park on the logging skid sites room for parking floats and turn around.

Wyndelle Forest

Ride down road you will approach a large working area of brash, ride towards the right track , then turn left on to the road which leads down to the Selwyn River. Have fun!!!!

If you are not keen to drive up to the skid site and want to ride instead leave floats on roadside.

Ride to River approx. 1 hour

HTST – Pete Hurst (completed)

Another track opened for horses.  Kaituna Valley to Packhorse Hut is nearly ready for riders.DOC have removed the lock at the Legal Road at the Pack Horse Hut. Last job is for CCC to make up signs indicating the access track is a Legal Road to be affixed to gates obstructing passage. The hut can be booked at DOC Chch office.  Horses need to be kept away from the hut behind tape.  The tank water is not to be used for our horses. There is not enough to go round. Horse riders should feel privileged to use this track. It is an historic track formally used by shepherds and musterers for access around the Banks Peninsula Bays It part of our heritage.  Pete rode this track in May ,it can be slippery in the winter and steep. Great views are obtained from the hut of all the Lyttelton Bays