Hooker Valley Track

We didn't come all the way to New Zealand NOT to hike! We pulled out our rain gear & set off on the Hooker Valley Track. Very near the start of the trail was a nice monument to all those who had died on the mountains- either climbing or in avalanches. It was a sobering reminder that the mountains & mother nature are not forces to be reckoned with.



The first 20 minutes, there were people around us- mostly tourists with umbrellas & the visibility was pretty limited.



We made it to the first bridge in no time & there is a nice overlook built (where all the *tourists* turned around).



And down we went to the swing bridge to cross it and keep on going.



I was so glad to have my waterproof camera & to be pretty much the only ones out on the trails.



There were a large lake, fed by the glaciers hanging above it, & there was a swing bridge crossing the river as it fed into the lake and one across the river that fed out of the lake.



Those bigger boulders are the size of a small car!



We were having a blast being free spirits out in the rain, exploring all by ourselves.



Lots of mist and heavier rain would come and go...kept us looking up to the mountains to see if we could ever get a better peak at the glaciers.



With lots of lightroom help & a contrast bump, you can almost make them out here.



Told ya we got a little silly- ninja husband came out once the rain let up.



Rocks, rocks, rocks and more rocks...glad we had good hiking shoes (especially ones that were waterproof).



It took us about an hour to make it to the second swing bridge & it was a little more technically challenging to walk along the wall to reach it.



The water was rushing & churning in this part of the river.



All the rivers and lakes around the area had a very milk, murky look to them because of the minerals in the water.



The glacier was barely peeking out as we sat down on the other side of the bridge, drank our bottle of water & ate the best darn half-bag of potato chips I'd ever had!



I was amazed at the purples and greens in this rock, which happened to be the size a small house.



I gave up on my hood by the end of the hike & happily skipped my way back to our cozy room to munch on snacks and sip on some wine. It's a great short, easy hike & I'd highly suggest to it everybody- hopefully you will have better weather!



Just wanted to throw in this cool Google Earth image showing where we hiked around the lake and across two rivers.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: It's Elida's 50th Birthday big dinner celebration tonight!