Kaka screeches

29 April

Bog Inn Hut to Ngaherenga Campsite

KM 944.5

Distance: 17km

Elevation: ascent 356m; descent 609m

Steps: 30,000

Time: 8:10am - 2:20pm

Despite it being very cold last night, we both slept better in the hut than we had in the tent. In fact, Eliza pretty much slept the night through - perhaps helped by wearing an extra layer of clothes inside the sleeping bag, and tucking herself entirely within and cinching the top closed. We also squashed up and shared a bunk (for those of you that know DoC huts - these are single bunks), which may have also helped!

Today started with a gentle uphill toward the summit of Mount Pureora. The first part of this was along a tramping track leading only to the hut, so a bit of mud (it is called the Bog Inn for a reason) and absolutely beautiful forest. Then came a section along the Timber Trail, so quite easy walking.

It was soon after, though, that we turned off the main Timber Trail to go up to the summit itself - the Timber Trail sidles along the summit to keep the slope easier for bicyclists. We followed the TA track notes and app map only to find this sign:

To be completely honest, this track was in better nick than some of the tracks we have done in the past that were not signed like this. It did get very overgrown just towards the top, with us having to push through foliage for maybe 100m or so until we came out to the tops.

It was worth it!

(Looking East)

(Looking South - you can see Lake Taupo, but that bank of cloud is juuuust blocking views of the Central Plateau)

The track down from the summit back to the Timber Trail is maintained and was much easier. The rest of the day was descending to the "start" of the Timber Trail. One of the things we kept seeing was feathers on the track - it must be molting season!

When we got to the last couple of kilometers on the trail, things started to look very familiar. We remembered that we had done a short walk into the very start of this track, many years ago. Eliza remembers this walk as being much more difficult - she's gotten a lot fitter since then! This still being the Timber Trail, which is a historic trail as much as nature trail, we took a slight detour to this old tractor and sled. The tractor had broken down in the forest in the early Twentieth Century, and was re-found only a decade or so ago. 

This section of the forest also has kaka (parrot), kakariki (parakeet), and toutouwai (robin, pictured below) all of of which we saw; and also apparently kokako, which we have not been fortunate enough to see yet on this trip. We still have a few more opportunities to spot them on this trip, so still hoping!

Our campsite for the night is just off the trail, so we were able to set up our tent in the sun and enjoy some of the nice afternoon sun as well. Tomorrow is another longish day, so we are very much enjoying the downtime! (And kaka screeches)