Monday Walkers

There was an air of happy anticipation as we piled into the vans and headed to Galatea. Despite an enigmatic weather

forecast of a “dirty high” and heavy afternoon showers we had beautiful day. In fact, soon after arrival, we were peeling off layers of protective clothing.

Our first obstacle was how to negotiate access to the southern end of the Foothills Track. The options were to either balance across an elevated narrow plank spanning a small stream, or walk downstream, wade through the shallow water, and end up with wet boots.

With a little coaxing most braved the plank and soon we were safely across and enjoying the diverse scenery the track had to offer.

We walked through forests of tall kanuka, huge tree ferns, wide trunked ti-kouka, horoeka and kawakawa. In some sections the trees made way for knee-high grass and banks covered by blackberry. The Ikawhenua Range, cloaked in dense forest and towering up from the track, provided a stark, if majestic contrast to the working farms and paddocks of livestock seen on the opposite side of the track.

Apparently the route follows the Te Whaiti Fault line and the terrain varies from flat, wide paths to slippery single-file downhills, often culminating in a rock-hopping exercise to cross shallow streams. We ate lunch under the forest canopy on seats of fallen leaves and branches with dappled light peeping down on us. An ambience to rival any restaurant.

The birdsong of grey warblers, toutouwai, pipi-wharauroa (shining cuckoo) and magpies, perhaps protesting our noisy or unwanted presence, kept us entertained while we walked.

Although this track is also known as the Kowhai Track, today there were no yellow blooms but the beautiful white flowers of climbing puawhananga, groves of delicate white bog irises and the deep red flowers of the lofty rewarewa more than compensated for their absence. Occasionally the scent of the flowering ti-kouka or puawhananga would waft across our path. We ended our walk at the Horomanga Stream after a day of laughter and co-operation and one which rewarded all the senses. Next week we plan to visit a sanctuary.

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