Short hikes at Mt Cook

Going to Mt Cook National Park

Today is the one of two full days we have here, that is forecast for good weather.  With my desire to do some short hikes at Mt Cook National Park, this is the only feasible day.

We left around 0800 with Jan in our car, stopping in Twizel for some breakfast before driving to Mt Cook National Park.

Getting there around 1000, we went to the visitor centre for some information and picked up some tips.

I had originally wanted to do the Red Tarns Track and Hooker Valley Track (partially closed) but we were also given a recommendation for a short hike to the Tasman Glacier viewpoint.

On the road to Mt Cook National Park.

Tasman Glacier viewpoint

This was supposed to be the shortest hike of maybe 10 mins from the carpark.  Starting around 1100, the walk didn’t feel short walking uphill in the extreme sunshine and heat.

From the viewpoint, we saw a grey body of water in front of us.  To the left, in the distance was tongue of the dirty grey glacier.  I’ve seen better here in New Zealand and in Pakistan.

While the glacier itself didn’t look that pretty, the mountains behind were beautiful, even mid-summer.

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Hooker Valley Track

This is quite a well-known scenic track with three bridges along the way.  Official information I looked up some weeks ago indicated that it was open to the first bridge, with the remaining distance closed for maintenance.

So, the hike should be quite short.  Starting around midday, it was indeed scenic, especially when we got to the first bridge.  We then learnt that the track is now open to the second bridge.

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Kim and I sat down to eat our sandwich from Twizel while Jan went a little further.  She came back that to report that the view didn’t change going further.

Governor’s Bush Walk

We retreated to the Hermitage for some lunch and a rest.  I had thought of doing the Red Tarns track but with the heat and uphill profile, Jan suggested the Governor’s Bush Walk instead where we would be in the native forest.

Kim decided to rest at the Hermitage while Jan and I went for the walk. It was around 1400 when we started.  There was uphill element but it wasn’t too bad in the shade, and we descended in the second half.

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We left on our return drive around 1500, happy with our outing.  We got back to the campground after 1600 for a nice rest and a social drink.