Monday Walkers

A low mist skirted towering podocarps as we arrived at the Pureora Forest Park to walk the Rimu Walk and search for a meteor crash site. The existence of remnants of this centuries-old indigenous forest for public enjoyment is largely due to conservationists and tree perchers of 1978 whose lobbying eventually won a moratorium on logging and then an end to native forest logging. On entering the well-tended track we were immediately surrounded by massive rimu, miro, matai and tree ferns.

The Kakaho Stream ran fast and muddy alongside the walkway but we soon left it behind and headed off track into more scrubbier foliage on a mission to find a crater. Sure enough we eventually came across a big hole in the ground and, as the song goes, it was sort of round. The surrounding area was bleak and devoid of large or old trees. Some thought radioactivity may have killed the vegetation. A little under-awed but without any other plausible explanation for the indentation we returned briefly to the main track but were soon off track again, clambering over fallen trees to take a break in a large clearing under a giant rimu and then making our way past Rob’s mighty matai and onto Kakaho Rd. After rejoining the track we climbed the stepped path and finally the stairs up to the forest tower for views over the canopy. As we were descending the indignant screeching of multiple ka¯ ka¯ soon let us know we were intruding on their territory. After another wonderful morning we were home with our feet up before the rain set in. Next week we are travelling further afield. For information email walkersmondaytaupo@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook @Taupo¯ MondayWalkers.