Ohakune trips

Ruapehu Bulletin, 21 December 1993, Page 10 (Supplement)

Ohakune trips

Lake Rotokura Grade 1 ()♦. Near Karioi, this beautiful trout-laden lake shelters amongst a beech/podocarp foresf which is diverse in bird-life and botany. On a clear day there are excellent reflections of Mt Ruapehu. Bring a picnic and/or swim gear. Drive 10 km. Lake Surprise Grade 3 Passing cascading waterfalls and mountain flowers, descend into Mangaturuturu Valley, following the Round-the-Mountain track. After crossing the river, there is a steady climb over an old lava flow to Lake Surprise, nestled amongst high altitude mountain beech and tussock. Drive 17 km. Mangaturuturu Headwaters Grade 44#. Walknorth of Turoa to see huge bluffs, spectacular waterfalls and lush alpine flower beds, to the source of the Mangaturuturu Cascades - a natural two-metre fountain. Crater Lake Grade 5 A steaming acid bath surrounded by glacial cliffs and the high peaks of Ruapehu. The crater rim is reached after passing beautiful patches of alpine buttercups and daisies en-route over rock, ice and snow. A full and exciting day. Check essential equipment list. Drive 17 km. Timber Trails Grade 3 ♦•.The magnificent forests of Ohakune, now protected forever, were once milled. Walk the old tram lines, through hand-dug cuttings and past old milling machinery. Drive 20 km. South-East Basin/Blyth Track Grade 2 ♦ •. 45 minutes north-east of Turoa carpark lies the massive volcanic bowl that harbours some of the most spectacular volcanic features in the Park. Drive 17 km. Creatures of the Night Grade 1 ❖□. NZ bush at night - it can be a scary place but not if you know who' s out there. Meet the 'Creatures of the Night' . Bring a torch. Rangataua Mountain Biking Grade 3 ♦•^. A full day trip to Rangataua Forest to sample some of the best riding in the area. Ride down a wide range of tracks through some excellent scenery; Bring a sense of humour. Blue Duck Grade 2 ♦HO.Jewel of the white water, the whio (blue duck) is a rare and shy inhabitant of New Zealand's mountain streams. Hear about the strategy to protect and save this endangered species. Drive 30 km. Hauhangatahi Grade 5 ♦• Hauhangatahi (occasionally covered in snow), 'Old Baldy', 'Brown Top', all names for the isolated volcanic peak near National Park.

Trek up its steep forested flanks to the broad tussockcovered tops for superb views. Venison Barbeque 40 Bring a salad and your favourite drinking potion and sample some food off the land - venison, trout, eel and other delights, About 6pm. Round the Mountain Grade 4 •♦ Take a walk on the wild side! Grab a taste of Ruapehu' s round-the-mountain track from the Ohakune Mtn Rd to Karioi Forest. Horopito Bound Grade 3 •♦ An historic track descending from the alpine flowers of Turoa, through the Mangaturuturu to the lush Horopito farmland. Erua Mtn Bike Grade 3 •♦ Prime biking terrain. Bring a helmet & sense of humour. Wild Flowers Grade 2 O . Baked, flooded and buried alive, blast frozen, wind battered and still looking good - how do alpine flowers cope? 17km drive.