Nature at its best at the back door

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 650, 20 August 1996, Page 12

Nature at its best at the back door

by G W Cranston, who grew up in the Waimarino in the 1930's The Karioi Lakes, totally uncommercialized, are situated liter ally on the back doorstep of the Waimarino. In my day they were referred to as the "Wet and Dry Lakes". Now I notice on a very modern looking Department of Conservation sign they are called "The Dry Lake and Lake Rotokura". Crossing over the Main Trunk Railway Line adjacent to where the Karioi Railway Station used to be, you travel about a mile on a metal road to the carpark. This road is typical of how the roads were in this area in the early 1930's, so take care, the pot-holes of yester-year aren't kind to modern-day cars. As you leave the car park and climb upwards, the only sound that breaks the unique silence of this area is the babbling of the Waitaihi Stream below you on the right. The Department of Conservation must be congratulated on maintaining an excellent walking track, past the Dry Lake and on up to Lake Rotokura. Moving on around the Wet Lake (Rotokura) you traverse a very suitable bush track easily navigated by all ages. As you pass through this glorious largely beech forest, you will feel quite surprised to come to the Dry Lake on your left. On my first visit here in 1 936, on foot from the railway line, this so-called "Dry Lake" was a large swamp. Now this swamp holds vast quantities of clear water, 50 per cent of which is. covered in bullrushes (raupo). Poking out of the water are dead trees looking quite gaunt and prehistoric. I presume these dead tree stumps are caused by the rising of the water-table since I was a boy. Whether nature or man caused this water level to rise, I don't really know. There is no obvious sign of man's interference with nature. I have heard locals say that these lakes were formed by some underground tunnel from Mt Ruapehu. Who knows? As my most recent visit was during the first week of duck shooting season, I was amazed at

the large number of ducks. How can they possibly know the location of these bird sanctuaries, a safe haven for them during the 'shoot'? The ducks I saw were largely mallard, grey plus, the rather more ponderous paradise all playing together diving down into the water continually quacking. And of course if you show yourself near the waters edge or make the slightest noise - instant flight. I have heard various stories of the fish in the lake over the years, and you have all heard about the one that got away. I have been told the eels in the lake eat the baby trout that are periodically released by the Ministry of Fisheries. A fisherman friend of mine, from Taihape, tells me he has fished in the lake with varying degrees of success and the largest trout he has caught is a six pound rainbow. As you continue on your walk you will soon become aware that you are walking on a soft carpet of autumn-toned beech treeleaves, which keep the sound of your footsteps to a minimum. Many species of young trees catch your eye, ferns, lancewoods, pepper trees, whitey wood, manuka, koromiko and many others happily continuing the regeneration process, largely undisturbed. Lichen hanging like giant spider webs on the manuka bushes and lower branches of the beech trees, when seen through the sun's rays, add a sort of mystery to the forest.

After over-night rain, the leaves of all the trees were glistening in the sunlight, a beauty to behold. Glimpses of snow-capped Mt Ruapehu over the tree tops, and on a clear day, mirrored in the lake, will encourage you to use your camera, to take home with you a remembrance of this natural beauty. The larger beech trees appear to be five to six feet through at the base, with the largest I saw, being approximately eight feet. We must pause and be thankful that the present and past governments have preserved these reserves for the enjoyment of future generations. Along-side the Dry Lake you will notice partly concealed wooden tables to have your picnic lunch on. These tables are particularly useful to those of you in my age group,-who now find the ground a long way down and a long way up. Stress is a word constantly referred to in this day and age, a word that was not even in our vocabulary in times gone by. I would humbly suggest that an hour taken to walk around these lakes and perhaps another hour to dream will totally remove your stress. This excursion is one of the rare occasions, nowadays, where you can receive nature' s gifts completely without cost. Don't delay to do this wonderful walk while you are comparatively sound in mind and limb.