Labour Weekend at Ohakune – 23-26 October 2020
We had a very large group walking this weekend. 13 were staying at a rented house and 5 more were staying in alternate accommodation.
It was a warm and sunny day when we arrived at varying times on Friday. The afternoon was spent indulging in the famous chocolate éclairs before heading to the supermarket for evening meal shopping. The rest of the day was taking it easy with a couple of drinks before heading out to tea
The forecast for Saturday was showers around 3pm but as we were driving to Ruapehu the heavens opened up. It had eased off by the time we arrived but left the mountain was shrouded in cloud. We set off on the lower track to Taranaki Falls, which were stunning, and had a group photo before breaking into smaller groups. It showered on and off the whole way, but it was a calm day and relatively warm. The track was well maintained and mainly stones, steps and boardwalks. There was a serious number of steps and the track was a gradual uphill walk with a lot of dips and a couple of small stream crossings. I was surprised by the addition of toilets at the top of the Taranaki Falls and near the Lower Tama Lake. The weather changed for the worse around the lakes and a cold wind was blowing. The faster and fitter members of our group did the 200-meter ascent to the Upper Tama Lake in rain and wind. Quite a feat as the track turned into shale. Just as they arrived the cloud lifted and our group plus a few others that RJ told us had been ‘crying into their sandwiches’ at the lack of view, were treated to lovely views of both lakes. The lower lake was amazing the way the blue was split into 2 different shades. It was amazing the way there was a distinct line across it.
Those of us below had eaten, taken our photos and it was getting extremely cold, so we decided to start the walk back. Once out of the wind, the weather settled and it was a pleasant walk back. We finished the walk across the stop of the falls and passed the old lava flow on the way out.
After Saturday, we were hoping for a dryer walk on the Ohakune Old Coach Road for Sunday. It was definitely on the improve and being in bush quite a bit for the early part helped. But we still had lighter showers coming in every so often. After a group photo by the starting sign, we were off down a sealed road before crossing a ford which fortunately was still dry.
The bush was beautiful and so green and fresh smelling from the rain. We passed an old bridge with only the pier supports remaining and made our way to the old Taonui Viaduct. The sleepers had been removed leaving a dark red steel curved skeleton. The red colour we read was from lichens, and not rust. This was a great stop to get some photos but we were not alone as there were a large number of bikes on the road.
It wasn’t long before we were walking on the roughhewn cobblestones and imagining stagecoaches clattering along these stones. It would not have been a comfortable ride. There were numerous information boards and occasionally we were treated to some stunning views which made us realise we were quite high up. We finally descended to the Hapuawhenua Viaduct which was right beside the new viaduct now used by Kiwi Rail. We could walk across this curved masterpiece which had a toilet beckoning.
We used this as our lunch break and pretty much took over the large table. It was a far more pleasant break than the previous day. Lunch over, I had everyone stand on the viaduct so I could take a group photo. Then it was off again through a bush track as the Hapuawhenua tunnel was blocked off because the railway line was directly in front of the entrance. We then left the bush behind and started walking through alpine vegetation before coming out at the top of a hill overlooking the Waimarino Plains. It was an easy descent back to the carp park.
It had been two very good walks that everyone had enjoyed and for us staying at the house, a very sociable time where we were once again treated to some wonderful curries whipped up by Menaka. We rounded these out with cooked chickens, roast potatoes and salad.
Sunday night the cloud lifted and Mt Ruapehu was covered with a pink sunset. We went for a walk down the road trying to get some photos.
Judith O’Leary