26 April 2007

Mokoroa Falls Track

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There's an occasional maire, and small kauri

and the track continues on down

Young tanekaha (Phyllocladus trichomanoides) also relish this slightly harsh environment,

as do young rewarewa (Knightia excelsa)

and mapau (Myrsine australis) (bottom right of picture)

I still haven't got a name for this one, another species that thrives in drier scrubby conditions.

Over the last 100 metres or so we turn into an avenue lined with scores of kauri rickers, and a red gold afternoon light shining through from the left.

At this point, the main track continues to a lookout, while off to the left, the Mokoroa Stream Track begins, with a warning to tender feet.

Its first few metres, as far as the stream, are steeply downhill, and I wouldn't even consider it without sticks. Miranda takes a look along it and reckons that while I could probably manage it, I wouldn't likely enjoy it very much, and I leave it at that. Perhaps one day when I'm feeling more like a challenge and less into the vegetation.

We head on down to the lookout, a substantial affair - though as I look at the picture, suddenly Miranda's sticks leaning against the rail look highly vulnerable.

I make a mental note to get back here after a good storm. Unlike Fairy Falls, there are no streams to cross on the way, and this should be spectacular.

photo by miranda woodward

Just around to the right are a smaller set of falls serving a side stream, but again, after rain they could be quite impressive.

photo by miranda woodward

I head on back and Miranda takes a little time to check out the path along the stream

photo by miranda woodward

The pool at the bottom of the falls is popular for swimming in the summer.

photo by miranda woodward

photo by miranda woodward

photo by miranda woodward

photo by miranda woodward

The path runs along the edge of the stream, and quite frequently along the slippery rock that is an extension of the stream bed. It looks quite enchantingly beautiful and I am tempted to give it a go when I have plenty of energy and plenty of time.

At the top of the stream track are a couple of trees, one as straight as a telegraph pole, and the other grotesquely bent. An odd pair.

On the way up I spot a small rata - by no means as common here as it is elsewhere in the Waitakeres.

I also spot a Parsonsia vine, and, closer to the river, a small kowhai or two. The river itself is lined with kowhai and this suggests a trip down come September or thereabouts for the flowers. There's also an occasional putaputaweta, though normally these are more common near a stream or other water source.

There's the van, just ahead,

and while the DoC signage suggests a little over half an hour each way, we have taken just on two hours, what with exploring and pottering and taking photos.

It's our wedding anniversary so we pull out a bottle of Lindauer from the fridge in the van and drink a generous toast to the next 26 years of adventure. Then, off to Muriwai to cook dinner and see the sun go down o'er Maori Bay.