The road to the track, which begins at the Raspberry Creek Car Park (which is also the end of the road into Mt. Aspiring National Park from the east), was pretty intense. It was all gravel, and mostly not the smooth/graded sort. Poor Hestia managed quite well, though we got pretty nervous when we realized that there were 4 or 5 instances where we had to "ford" across a stream, meaning basically that we just had to drive through it. I've never felt more like I was on the Oregon Trail! Kara says: I was driving, and it was actually pretty fun. We got a lot of dust in the car, though!
The track itself was gorgeous, but it was also all uphill which we didn't know or expect! (Kara says: we're in the mountains now, so I expected it.) OOF. Oof!!!! New Zealand is hills everywhere, as are most tracks, and Kara and I are just not prepared for it after living in Chicago our whole lives. Alas, we just booked the Routeburn Track for early March- which is a three day walk that rises 1000 meters (or around 3000 feet.) LOL!! As I was struggling like hell today uphill to the glacier lookout, and I was barely carrying any weight at all. So.
But then we got to the glacier lookout, and it was all worth it. There were two excellent lookouts, actually-- a lower one of a beautiful waterfall, and an upper one that had a much clearer view.
On the way back, over the absurd gravel road, we came upon a bull standing in the middle of the road, staring down a camper van. The camper van eased their way around him, and then it was our turn to pass. I wish I had gone with video, but I did get a picture out of the car window as he mooed as us in the most simultaneously angry and distraught fashion. I wish I knew what was up with you, cow. I wish I could help. Love from the internet to you, glorious cow.