Monday Walkers
What a beautiful day for a walk last Monday was. On our last visit to Silica Rapids the track was shrouded in mist and the day cold and wet but this time we were able to admire the craggy outline of Mt Ruapehu and the smooth snowless cone of Mt Ngauruhoe. We entered from the top end of the track and were soon walking across tussockcovered land on a well-formed gravelled track occasionally interrupted by wooden stepped climbs and boardwalks. We stopped by the gleaming yellowwhite riverbed to enjoy the view of the rapids and the sunshine. The colours are a result of water passing under and through andesitic lava flow, gaining high levels of carbon dioxide which precipates out in the air depositing alumina-silica onto the rock bed of the Waikare Stream. A lucky few caught a glimpse of pihoihoi or New Zealand pipit here. We continued down across native alpine gardens, seepage ponds and by Golden Rapids coloured by an abundance of iron. Instead of exiting by the motor camp we followed the Whakapapanui Track down to SH48. This route follows the Whakapapanui Stream through tall stands of mountain beech, groves of mountain cabbage trees and is lined by umbrella ferns. It was a great day with congenial company and a continually altering landscape. Next Monday we are going on a short walk near a lakeside settlement. If you would like to join us or for more information search Taupo¯ Monday Walkers on Facebook, phone 027 592 2994 or email walkersmondaytaupo@gmail.com