28 July 2007

Goodfellow Track

page 3

Rata and moss provide a striking if small counter point on a punga trunk.

A small maidenhair sprouts from the bank beside the track, with a koromiko to the side and a mingimingi behind.

As we descend the bluff there are many spots where the track is bordered by the sheer rock of the bluff. I wonder who carved this track out in the first instance. Alice takes a long hard look at the steeply descending steps.

and down we go

A small Schefflera.

More filmy fern. I have a special soft spot for the particular colour and texture combination of these.

Another maidenhair.

and down and down the side of the bluff go the steps.

Off to the side is a trace of the old track

A Rhabdomanthus (Waiuatua). These dry and slightly harsh to the touch leaves are common around the top of stream banks.

A limy yellow tawa sapling sits off to the side. I like the way the moving leaves of this tree constantly catch the light and ripple it back.

On down we go through a small nikau grove

and down more steps

Looking back, areas like this one where the track has been blasted - I suspect - out of pretty much solid rock are impressive.

As we get lower, parataniwha appears around every damp side stream

And here's a hen and chickens fern getting on with the job. These small shhots fall to the ground and take root around the parent fern.

Here's a tree trunk covered in small filmy ferns and mosses.

More filmy ferns. Sorry. Can't help it. Love'em.

And again.....

We're almost at the first stream crossing. For all the immaculate quality of the track, we still have to cross streams.

No bridges here yet. For the less agile among us, the banks on either side of these crossings often represent the toughest part of a track, as the last metre down to and up from the stream is often steepish and slippery. However, this one is not a problem.