Thursday, January 12/23 – Two Hikes: Kepler and Routeburn Tracks

Our morning hike took place on the Kepler track along the Waiau River connecting Lake Manapouri and Lake Te Anau. An incredibly well maintained track through a mature beech forest was just the tonic we needed.

It was hiking at it it’s gentle finest. A soft underbrush path with very little grade change meant no poles and a chance to look up and around for just under three hours.

Unfortunately, however, even the slightest descent brought a sharp and immediate reminder from both quads and calfs of the abuse they had endured over the past 48 hours. It would be embarrassing except all members of the tour (and most are avid hikers, cyclists, outdoors lifestyle keeners) are suffering to some degree.

Notwithstanding the intermittent grimace, the setting provided an incredibly tranquil morning allowing for reflection and contemplation of life’s what ifs. The silence was powerful and only interrupted when the track came close to the river where the water alternated between languid and frothy, noisy rapids.

The ground cover added to the mystic as ferns abounded and moss grew on fallen trees giving them animal like shapes.

We finished the hike with a picnic lunch overlooking the river. A great morning indeed.

Then it was back into the van for a 60 minute drive up the highway towards Milford Sound. The Routeburn track was certainly not a repeat of the mornings effort.

Another one of those “looks basic on the map” but then has just enough bite to grab your attention. At least the trail builders had the kindness to create numerous switchbacks to lessen the incline. Upward, ever upward we went on a rocky track that had a few challenging moments.

It did get harder

There were distractions along the way.

But finally at the top the discomfort went away and a special vista spread out before us.

What goes up must come down so the tired, sore legs were really put to the test going downhill. We did get a small respite by taking an alternate route across a wet area but then it was down, down ,down.

Back at the van it was agreed it had been a great day. Nearly 6 1/2 hours of hiking in glorious weather, a great balance between the two trails and wonderful sights along the way.

Tomorrow it’s off to Milford Sound to catch the boat that will take us out to the Tasman Ocean and back.