- Since it's a 20 km one way trail in a remote area, a shuttle is needed.
- As our usual style is to enjoy hikes leisurely, we had to base ourselves in National Park to get as much walking time as possible between the dropoff shuttle and the pickup shuttle.
- Buses in and out of National Park do not run everyday, only four times a week.
- Ten days before, we happened to be chatting with some fellow hikers. They told us how they had to stay an extra day because the trail was closed due to high wind. As soon as I got back, I started to monitor the weather forecast. Sure enough the trail was closed that day for high wind again. I immediately canceled all our North Island plans i.e. buses and lodging. We would aim for the Crossing on the earliest day possible, which turned out to be a Saturday - beggars cannot be choosers.
- I continued to monitor the trail. The previous Saturday, a hiker died on the trail of natural causes. Out of respect, shuttles were closed for three days, which further affirmed our determination to attempt the crossing sooner than later.
In the end, it took us just over 8 hours. I'm sure if it weren't for the rain, we could have taken longer. While the hike may not be our #1, it may be a top 10. The varied landscape is certainly incomparable.
Our accommodation was across the street from the shuttle bus stop with great sunrise views to the volcanoes.

After a 20 minute bus ride, we're ready to walk. 20.2 kms to go!

We are not alone on the first section of the track.

The weather is changeable, and can be deadly.

On this section of the trail there was a boardwalk across the lava fields.

After Soda Springs, the trail goes up, up to the South Crater with great views to the southern valleys.



Walking across the floor of the South Crater felt like we were on the Moon, except there were lots of humans with us.





From the South Crater floor, the trail goes steeply up and up to the Red Crater Lookout. Sun-Ling was very pleased to conquer that section.



The highest point of the walk is the rim of the Red Crater. In the first photo below you can spot some steam rising from the rocks and sand. Many walkers stop to take photos.




Sun-Ling was slow on the Red Crater scree downhill, but so were most of us.


From the scree slope there were great views to the neon Emerald Lakes and the Blue Lake.


The three Emerald lakes and steam vents continued to give amazing views. We decided to eat our lunch on the shore of the biggest one.



A view back to the Red Crater from near the Blue Lake.

Taking a break at the Blue Lake.

While at the Blue Lake we turned to look back at the Red Crater and saw Mt Ngauruhoe break out of the clouds behind it. Wow! It was only visible for a few minutes.

The clouds moved in as we began the long, long descent to the shuttle pickup point at Ketetahi Car Park


And then the clouds lifted and we had views to the near Lake Rotoaira and the far Lake Taupo.



But our luck changed and we walked in a steady but light rain for an hour. You can see I'm drenched, but only on the outside, when we stopped at the waterfall for a rest.


The shuttle bus was on time and returned us to our accommodation in time to see the gorgeous over the volcanoes where we had hiked all day.

SL cooked a delish dinner, and the cold Weedcore NZIPA (with NZ hops) was tasty.

1 comment:
Congratulations! Hate scree...
Kathy
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