We love nothing more than to meet our trail users and find out what they love about the Queenstown Trail network and what better way to introduce the recently elected Queenstown Trails Trust Chairman, Mike Walker...
WHO?
I live in Arrowtown, along with my wife Anna, son Jack (1yr) and dog Barrett. I work as a partner in a local law firm Todd & Walker Law and am also a chartered director of the Institute of Directors. I see it as vitally important to invest time and skills into governance roles in the community and am passionate about not-for-profit roles which align with my values and interests. I have been a trustee of QTT since 2016 and was a director of the Hump Ridge Track in Southland from 2015 -2019.
WHAT BRINGS YOU TO THE QUEENSTOWN TRAIL?
The Queenstown trail forms an everyday function for our young family, from pushing prams, running and walking the dog and of course, riding bikes (including recently one with a chariot attached to the back for Jack). It truly is such an incredible community asset which is the envy of a lot of other parts of New Zealand.
WHERE ARE YOU RIDING/WALKING?
We tend to keep it reasonably close to Arrowtown at the moment, however a favourite loop from home on the bike involves out to Morven Ferry road, round the Kawarau up the Shotover back via Slope Hill road and Millbrook. We also enjoy linking the trails to access more of the backcountry tracks around Arrowtown like Sawpit Gully, New Chums, Miners Trail, Bush Creek and Big Hill.
WHAT BIKE ARE YOU RIDING?
Still riding a giant anthem 1 MTB that Willy (CEO) sold me years ago before the Godzone chapter 2 race in 2012. It still does the job and I certainly do not blame the bike for the lack of performance.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE QUEENSTOWN TRAIL?
Very difficult question and a number of people won’t like me mentioning this section given its reasonably low-key profile but I really like the Lower Kimi Ākau (Shotover) Trail for so many reasons. It’s very fun to ride (or run) and feels backcountry, even so close to town. The views that it opens up are unreal and it is very special piece of trail.
It's great to have Mike on board as Chairman of the Queenstown Trails Trust. If you have any questions for Mike or any of the team here at the Trust, feel free to get in touch via Lou - lou@queenstowntrail.org.nz.
If you'd like to feature in #talesfromthetrail send us your trail photos or get in touch with Lou
