Tongariro National Park

Day 8: February 10, 2020

Hike starts in the dark but full moon is bright as can be for Tongariro Alpine Crossing – completed in 6 hours, then relaxed for the rest of the day back at camp – napped, finished book, played cards, watched animals after dark, met fellow Dane county resident Larry.

Plenty of helpful signage along the way
The track takes you up old lava flows and into multiple craters
South Crater: a drainage basin between the surrounding volcanic landforms
Watch your step – at points the gravel feels like walking in snow
The Emerald Lakes- the blue against the rugged background is breathtaking, especially combined with the 2500 ft gain in elevation
Pictures can’t quite capture the beauty at the top
Our lunch stop
What comes up must come down!
Much greener on the other side
We didn’t think the end of the trail would look like this but we were thankful for the shade
Accomplished
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Carla Garces-Redd

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