Today I drove North, 56km, to Mangakino to ride another section of the Waikato River Trails. I had hoped to complete the final two sections this trip but the trail North of Mangakino was closed for forestry operations. Oh well, a reason to return!
Waikato River Trail | Mangakino to Atiamuri
Lake Maraetai, Mangakino
Parked up at the Lake Maraetai foreshore, Mangakino. First move was a coffee from the brilliant Bus Stop Café (in the background of the photo below). There was a thick mist hovering over the lake, but (at 11:00) it was finally starting to lift.
Just thirty minutes later at the Mangakino Suspension Bridge, clearing rising mist and bright blue sunny skies!
View from the bridge, what mist?
From the bridge, towards Whakamaru, the trail climbs quite high above the river.
Not pretty but the Waikato hydro power is a vital resource, local employer, and Mercury Energy, owner/operator of the hydroelectric generating stations on the Waikato River, is a major sponsor of the Waikato River Trails Trust.
Seems the sheep discovered this new mesh fence along the trail is good for a scratch!
Lake Whakamaru
Lake Whakamaru is the second (of three) hydro lakes on this trail section.
At Lake Whakamaru the trail crosses the dam and then runs between Ongaroto Road (SH30) and the river all the way to Atiamuri. I wasn't anticipating much for this section but was pleasantly surprised. This short stretch is about the only part that runs close to the road.
Before long you are back near the river.
These weeds are a blight on the Waikato. There are efforts to manage/eradicate and improve the river but it's a massive endeavour.
Mount Pohaturoa
Mount Pohaturoa is a distinctive volcanic lava dome which has a remarkable history I only discovered while writing this:
Extracts from Pohaturoa - the story of a New Zealand hill - NZ Herald Jan 2001
"Still Pohaturoa stands. Enduring but ever-changing, raised by eruption and worn down by erosion, this hill continues to exist on the banks of the Waikato River, maybe half a million years after it was born.""Thousands of people tear past Pohaturoa each week in their cars, especially during the summer holidays, some ignoring it in favour of a peek at the adjacent Atiamuri dam, others giving it a mere second's thought before it shrinks away in the rear-view mirror. Few, if any, ponder its life story as they fly through the vacuum of forest. But it's a story that encapsulates much of this country's history."
"Carter Holt Harvey knew nothing of this story when it decided to harvest the hill in October 1995. Harvesting operations contracts manager Dennis Bomford says the plan had been to clear the sides but to leave the top. It was just too difficult to access.
Before work started, however, CHH staff consulted the local iwi and sent Perry Fletcher, a local historian who had first climbed the hill in 1972, to investigate the site.
Their responses prompted a new plan. Ngati Whaita was determined the hilltop must be preserved and Fletcher, well, he stumbled on a historical site of rare significance."
The article has a wonderful, typically Kiwi, quote:
"Dating domes like Pohaturoa is a pain in the butt to be honest," he [Volcanologist Brad Scott] sighs. "It's too old for carbon dating and too young for isotope dating."
The trail passes, but doesn't cross, the elegant Tram Road Bridge.
An iconic 'Waikato River Trails' logo sign, there's one on every section.
Lake Atiamuri & Dam
The trail finishes at Lake Atiamuri. I thought this shelter looked new but learned, talking to a local couple out walking, it was only finished a few weeks ago. The green directional signage, with maps and info, in the background was also new and they are being installed all along the Waikato River Trail.
Have a lovely view of Lake Atiamuri & Dam view for 'lunch', fruit and cookies I was carrying, at about half past two!
The Return...
There's only one trail so rode back the way I came. As ever, riding the other way is like riding another trail due to the vistas that were 'behind you' before. it's amazing how different it feels.
It was a stunning day, no wind, and in theory going downstream meant the return ride is downhill!
For a trail path restricted to a strip between river and highway there is a surprising variety of riding on offer.
These restrictors are annoying, if necessary, but were ok for my rig. I know some bike/pannier configurations struggle to get through them.
Part of the more singletrack bush section along the lakeside.
Loved this 'trench' carved into the Lake Whakamaru shoreline. It seems an extreme way to manage a gradient change but was very cool!
Although only about four-thirty the shorter days meant I was already riding into the golden evening sun.
Walk the Pod time...
I was listening to podcasts while riding and in a Walk the Pod Rach mentioned a 'time travel like experience'
"Something extraordinarily odd has happened, although I have worked out what has happened, the odd thing, a tiny tot was exercising, doing push-ups..."
"...and on my second lap around, in exactly the same place, a grown-up was doing push-ups..."
"...something magic has happened, and that tot has aged 30 years?"
Bizarrely, the next podcast in my playlist was 'Theoretical physicist, philosopher, and international bestselling author Carlo Rovelli' talking about how little we understand about time!
Carlo Rovelli on physics and philosophy | Conversations at the Perimeter
Carlo Rovelli joins Lauren and Colin for a conversation about the quest for quantum gravity, the importance of unlearning outdated ideas, and a very unique way to get out of a speeding ticket.
My clip appeared in this episode:
WtP S27E10 | The four-day work week and mental health | May 14
It’s the most beautiful day in the world today and I’m walking the cycle path in SW19 thinking about the impact four-day working could have on mental health.
Lake Whakamaru evening, approaching the large camping area. There are wonderful new facilities here for trail users and the motorhome/camping travellers.
It wasn't as dark as it looks on camera, riding without lights was OK, but had my headlight on in case met others on the trail (I didn't!).
Lake Maraetai, Mangakino finish
It was properly dark when I got back to the Lake Maraetai, Mangakino, finish at about six. Not as lonely as it looks in the photo as there were several motorhomes at the nearby camping ground.
The clear fine evening, moonlight, and mist beginning to build across the lake made it a lovely finish to the ride.
I have another day in Taupo tomorrow, before heading for a two-day ride that was a last-minute add-on. Only decided to do it earlier in the week!
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