'Time Out' has been lots of cycling but today was about revisiting Whatipu, a favourite local remote ride, for a bit of a walk.
Open, for more than pedestrians/bikes, again!
The road, closed for months by a substantial slip, is repaired and a section of the Te Ara o Hillary / Hillary Trail (the Gibbons, Muir and Pararaha Valley tracks) reopened after massive upgrades to protect against Kauri dieback. It's a viral plant disease spread by feet of all kinds.
Stopped on Whatipu Rd for the spectacular view, looking back to Huia, and to check out the road repairs.
Whatipu Rd slip repairs, the road here was sliding into the valley below.
Whatipu & Gibbons Track
Parked at the Whatipu Carpark, few here but saw a couple of people heading for the beach. Apart from them a couple of Rangers working on the trail, one hiker going the other way, and cyclist on the beach were all I saw all day.
The trek starts on the Gibbons Track.
These markers (below) define the 'Hillary Trail', named for the Everest Climber Sir Edmund Hillary who trekked and holidayed in the area all his life. When fully open it's a 70km multi-day hike but some sections still need the sort of treatment these tracks have had.
To prevent the spread of a viral tree disease the trails have been gravelled with formed steps/boardwalks to prevent erosion. It's a massive undertaking, over a years construction for this section alone.
Gibbons Track begins with a climb to a ridge, magnificent views back to the carpark, the beach, and the Manukau Harbour entrance.
Below, view South over Whatipu (L) and North towards Karekare (R).
Forgot to smile...
Gibbons Track joins Muir Track continuing along the ridge towards Pararaha Valley.
One hour and 6,377 steps in, lots of them up and down actual steps!
The trail descends into Pararaha Valley, a special conservation area.
Pararaha Valley, Whatipu
The Pararaha Valley used to be a bit of a slog wading through the marshes in the wetland area. That's now history as the trail has been raised above it with a mix of bridges and boardwalks.
Love this curved bridge over the stream, I recorded a short Walk the Pod contribution here:
Walk the Pod | WtP S27E2 | Light cloud everywhere
A walking report today from Kiwi Rob walking a coastal bush trail which recently reopened after an upgrade to prevent a viral plant disease spread. Part of the Hillary Trail named for the Everest Climber Sir Edmund Hillary who trekked and holidayed in the area all his life, and some more on the four-day week.
Part two was recorded at the beach, and appeared in this episode:
Walk the Pod | WtP S27E3 | It’s about trust!
Have had an entertaining 24 hours reading a white paper on the four day work week by an Auckland company who trialled this way of working and reported back on what they found.
It looks even better looking back up the valley.
Was glad of a bit of cloud, even in winter iron sand in the sun can be warm!
Tunnel Point
Tunnel Point is, unsurprisingly, named for a tunnel through a point. In colonial days, a trestle railway ran along the shoreline to take logs to Karekare for processing.
Remains of the industry that was once here...
Towards Karekare, back to the beach
Followed the dunes trail towards Karekare, and down to the shoreline.
Whatipu Beach
I took the flatter, but longer, Whatipu Beach route back. The low tide firm sand made walking a bit easier than it otherwise would be.
Just me and the locals
Watermarks...
Iron sand and wave action weaving.
Eco-Surfer...
Love this, a fat bike for surfboard transport to the break near Manukau Heads.
On Flight Path...
Although mainly see birds here, Whatipu is also on the flightpath (for Auckland International) so sometimes see bigger ones!
Afternoon sun, just me here...
Around the head...
Whatipu Beach forms the northern Manukau Harbour entrance.
Whatipu Light is still an important navigational aid for the limited shipping that uses Manukau Harbour.
Whatipu Beach finish
Got back to the carpark feeling a little weary. In total it was 20.25km | Time: 5:36 (4:27 moving) | Elevation: 338m | Steps: 30,400 but think the last 6km on softish sand used muscles and tendons cycling doesn't...
Previous < TO2122 Index > Next
