A hike in the hills was on my list of things to do while in New Zealand and on the second morning in Wanaka I set out for the Mt Iron Track. Located on the edge of Mount Aspiring National Park, the track is a 4.5k / 2.8m walk with a total ascent of 166m / 546.86 ft and has a maximum elevation of 546m / 1,747.64 ft. Those numbers may not seem impressive but the elevation of Wanaka is only 277 m / 90o ft. Including the walk to the trail head and back, I logged 16k / 9.9 miles that morning.
This image, taken from a moving car the next day, shows the silhouette of Mt Iron.
Walking in a slight drizzle, I reached the trail head around 9am. I took the obligatory “beginning of the hike” image (thinking of Karen, the Unassuming Hiker), and set off in the mist. The women I hike with would have loved the well maintained toilets just around that curve in the first image.
This sculpture, erected in 2012, commemorates the world’s first recorded sheep dog trial, held in 1867.
The hike is a loop trail and the first 45 minutes of hiking are a solid, uphill climb. Finding myself a bit out of breath, I marveled at the number of people who ran by me as they used the trail as a work out.
Yes, this was the trail in places.
At times the mist would clear, but much of the time the view was shrouded in mist and fog.
I crossed over the stile and saw some hikers coming back down the trail. Can you see them?
I reached the summit and immediately saw the survey and summit markers.
Clearly the view was obscured but I enjoyed reading the signage and learning the history.
The loop offered different scenery on the way down and I enjoyed viewing the plants and trees.
During the descent, the view became more visible. I took these images about halfway down.
Soon enough, I was back at the parking lot and started the walk back into town.
My 10 mile morning earned me a well deserved flat white at a nice little cafe.
On to the next New Zealand adventure!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
So sorry on behalf of New Zealand for the lack of reward at the top!! but we are very pleased, proud and happy that you managed to do this without the rest of us moving off the couch xoxo
Your comment made me smile, Pauline 🙂
well done you…
Thank you, Maureen. That uphill climb had me huffing and puffing!
I think I would have been lying down 🙂
What a wonderful experience…great photos and narrative, Laurie. New Zealand is a natural paradise and I’m glad you are enjoying every minute. Our last trip there, we hiked the Milford Track near Queenstown, a five day adventure. It was an astounding thrill.
A five day hike! WOW!
If I have any regret it is that I can’t spend more time hiking. This country has so much to offer and I feel as if I am just scratching the surface!
Amazing natural beauty and, unlike Australia, there aren’t many dangers, like snakes!
Australia: I’ll be there on Sunday (and will watch for snakes!)
We lived in Sydney for a few months. Australia is fabulous! Enjoy!
Looks like a great hike. I enjoy hiking in the fog, but of course prefer clear weather for the views. We went to Hay Rock today – we will go there when you get back, it was fun.
YAY! Can’t wait to see Hay Rock
No matter the mist or fog, you captured some great shots. I especially liked that your cheeks were a bit more rosy at the top than the bottom. That’s quite some trek. I would rather hike that trail with you than take the gondola ride. What does that tell you? 😉
Oh I love that observation! I surely was doing some huffing and puffing on the way up 🙂
Well done. I liked the atmospheric shots. Despite bigifying (as Pauline would say) the pics, I couldn’t spot the other hikers
Bigifying 🙂
They really are hard to see. It was so foggy!
I like how moody the photos are and I am impressed that you did this, by yourself, while the others were lollygagging!
I so wish I could spend more time hiking, Kerry. I feel as if I am just scratching the surface of this country.
That looks like a serious workout! Well done!
I definitely did some huffing and puffing on the way up 🙂
Gah! 16 klm!! Before 9am! On holidays! Meanwhile in Camp Lazybones, I can only assume I was gulping down coffee and eating fruit toast
Your photo’s are awesume and show the rugged terrain well. You amaze me ! You constantly challenge yourself with all sorts of endeavors, Bravo LB. Maybe someday some of your hutzpa will rub off on me. I hope so. I especially love the photo of the survey marker. See, I wouldn’t think of making a photo of it! But it’s really fun and interesting and nostalgic too. Keep on being fabulous Laurie, you’re inspiring xo K
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