Cascade Kauri Waitakere Dam Circuit

On this hike we explore part of the Cascade Kauri area in the northeastern Waitakere Ranges, west of Auckland, and walk the Waitakere Dam Circuit. A variety of highlights include the Waitakere dam and reservoir, historic pituresque tramline with tunnel, the "hidden" Cascade Falls (and possibly the Waitakere Falls if reservoir is overflowing), mature kauri forest, and a variety of flora and scenery along the way.

Distance: about 7km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: a combination of easy walking tracks and rough tramping tracks, with a stream crossing and steep climb up Anderson Track, and a steep descent down Cascade Track. Parts of the circuit may be muddy. Some difficulty, but shouldn't be too difficult for most hikers overall.

Route Description:
Follow the purple arrows (click map photo for closer view) ... From the carpark, walk anticlockwise around half the Auckland City Walk (with a sidetrack to Cascade Falls) then along Anderson and West Tunnel Mouth tracks, Waitakere Tramline Walk (including tunnel), Cascade View Track, over the Waitakere Dam, along the Fenceline and Cascade tracks, then complete the Auckland City Walk back to carpark.

Meeting Places:
CLICK HERE (https://hiking.meetup.com/171/messages/boards/thread/5836238) for latest details about meeting at New World.
From there we'll meet near the information board in the carpark at the end of Falls Road. Can get there from NW motorway via Lincoln Road, Universal Drive, Swanson Road, Scenic Drive North, Te Henga Road.

Time Guideline:

• 09:30 - Meet at New World, arrange carpooling.
• 09:45 - Leave New World.
• 10:30 - Arrive at Falls Road carpark.
• 10:45 - Start hike.
• 14:30 - Finish hike around now, return to Auckland.

Bring:

• lunch and drink
• suitable clothing for rain or shine
• suitable footwear for tramping tracks
• torch will be handy for tunnel
• money for carpooling

Notes:
(1) There are lots of other tracks in the area that lead deep into the forest. To help avoid getting lost, please study the map (print a copy if you can) and try to have a good idea of our route before we start the hike :-)
(2) We'll walk at a moderate pace, stop at major track junctions and places of interest along the way, and probably have lunch by the dam.

See you there :-)