Mt Parihaka

Today dawned bright and cheerful.  I had arranged to meet the two ladies that pre-walk our Monday walks and walk up Mt Parihaka.

 Mt Parihaka is a volcanic dome rising 241 m to the northeast of Whangarei city centre.  It is about 20 Million years old and part of the harbour Fault which also includes Parakiore near Kamo.


Although it was bright and sunny it was quite cool in the shade but perfect for walking.  It was a nice gentle track to start with until we came to the waterfall where steps had been constructed.  After that it eased off again.  The sign says it is a 40 minute walk and the other ladies had done it in slightly less than that but I timed us at 45 minutes when we still had another couple or so to go to the top.  


I hadn't been to the top even though you can drive to it and the view was magnificient.  My camera didn't do it justice.

                                           A small waterfall on the first part of the track

                                           Three photos of small plants at the side of the track

                                         The view from the top

 The War Memorial.  I understand that at 9 p.m. the floodlights go off and the  red cross is lit.

                                            The track going back down

 In the above photo if you look carefully you can see the stairs going up alongside the waterfall.

I am very pleased with myself.  I did get a bit out of breath but I always do when going uphill but thoroughly enjoyed it.  On the way home I did a large supermarket shop and not much else.