On Sat., we drove to Mount Aspiring National Park. Firstly, we drove about 20km on a paved road and then another 51km (about 40 miles) on a dirt road. There's no visitor center (it's actually IN town) or gate or lodge. After the dirt road ends, you find toilets and a picnic area and the track.
The dirt road has several river fords, but since it hasn't rained here significantly in awhile, we only had to cross water 3 times. Our little Toyota Corolla made it through the creeks, no problem. Bob drove slowly and cautiously as there were big rocks in the river that could easily break an oil pan. The drive was very scenic with picture stopping views at just about every turn. Bob had to keep his eyes on the road and pay attention due to the gravel. It took over an hour to get to the end of the road.
Once we got to the parking area, we immediately started hiking (tramping). Before long we came to a swing bridge and crossed the roaring Matukituki River. After the bridge, we climbed through a small gorge into a beech forest, then alpine vegetation appeared. Next we came around a bend and WOW!, the glacier was in our face---- a hanging glacier high up in the mountains.
This track incorporates all that you could every want in an alpine walk... strolls along the banks of the Matukituki River, climbs through a beautiful rainforest, native birds singing, sights like waterfalls and of course, the glacier itself.
It took us about 2 hours to get up there. We ate our lunch staring at all the waterfalls and the glacier. It was an outdoor theater of majestic spacious skies and mountains with a glorious hanging glacier---- all heavenly!
