Hooker valley track is one of the popular hiking route in Mt. Cook. With about 3 hours of return, it was longer than Tasman valley path. My family decided to spend time in the village while I proceeded to walk to Hooker valley in the afternoon.
 |
| Mueller lake |
The weather had considerably improved in the afternoon providing some views of the surrounding mountains. In order to save time, I drove till the Hooker valley campground and started walking. Good point about New Zealand is the way the tourism infrastructure is handled. One of the best in the world, I would say. Ample parking places, clear sign boards, excellent infrastructure and above all supportive people.
 |
| Walking on Hooker valley track |
Within 10 minutes of walking, I was at the Mueller lake lookout which provided great views of the glacial lake.
 |
| Mueller lake and the first swing bridge |
And then I had to cross the first of the three swing bridges. It was built over Hooker river flowing out of the lake. Even though I have crossed these kind of bridges several times, it gives me a great feeling each time I cross a new one!!
 |
| Hooker valley track |
The path after the swing bridge went next to the lake. If the weather was clear, I should have seen snow clad mountains along the route. Now I was only getting a glimpse of it!!
 |
| Track passing next to Mueller lake |
The second swing bridge appeared and this was on the Hooker river flowing into Mueller lake.
 |
| Second swing bridge |
It was here I was surprised the effort being put in to maintain the track. Amazing!!
Hooker river had to be crossed again and within few minutes I was looking at the Hooker lake and the glacier walls. It had taken in 1.5 hours.
 |
| The third swing bridge |
While the upper reaches of Tasman and Hooker glacier are snow covered, the lower glacier is rocky due to ablation and hence they looked brownish.
 |
| Hooker lake |
 |
| Glacier wall |
Walking back was uneventful and I made a short detour to Alpine memorial, the mountaineers who died in the Mt. Cook National Park over the years.
 |
| Alpine memorial |
Labels: Glacier, lake, New Zealand, trek
