7 April 2007

Cascade Track

page 4

From here on it gets somewhat more demanding

Here's a nice piece of hen and chicken fern.

Miranda makes friends with a fantail,

photo by miranda woodward

while Alice watches

photo by miranda woodward

Even though the topo map doesn't show it, there's an other stream crossing along the way a bit. Probably too small to rate a mention.

The stream itself is nothing to worry about, certainly, but getting up the other side poses problems.

Now, what would Tarzan have done?

Yes, I know, don't tell me.... Stripped off to his loincloth for starters.

Here's a really nice example of a miniature tree fern - Blechnum fraseri

They're growing all along the path, but ones with a really developed "trunk" are less common.

And always, when you're least expecting it, you glance up and there's another massive Kauri looming ahead.

We're starting to climb again now, and the track is pretty much root-ridden for a spell.

On the whole though, it's comfortable walking

I wouldn't have minded a bit of boardwalk or steps when I was doing my Tarzan number earlier on.

Miranda is siting peacefully on a step waiting for me. Up ahead I can see light through the trees.

Made it.

photo by miranda woodward

Not really that bad. About twenty minutes straight back to the carpark, down the Upper Kauri Track, We detour, however, to the right along the Auckland City Walk to take in the Cascade Falls, so in all we take about an hour to get back. A good walk.