Hauraki Rail Trail
Paeroa to Karangahake

5 August, 2012

 

 

 

In the week, or so, before this ride the Coromandel had received a lot of rain.  We were to see some of the results of
this during our ride today.

 

Our first challenge was getting through the first vehicle-stopper without getting our feet wet.
We took little notice of the sign - the track was not flooded.  Damp, maybe - but not flooded!

Vehicle-stoppers were a bit of a problem : the concept is great but many - make that most - of them today
had been installed with the horizontal bars just a little too high.

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Photo: John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taking a moment to look at the Ohinemuri where it takes a sharp right hand bend.

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Photo: Ron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carol has got her pic.

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Photo: Ron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Karangahake we were back on to familiar territory.  But we do not often see the river running this high.

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Photo: Ron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approaching the 1,100 metre long Karangahake Tunnel.

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Photo: John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A 4" exposure from the western portal.

The tunnel is now very well lit and the surface has been improved - torches are no longer necessary.

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Photo: John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The eastern portal.

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Photo: Ron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The standard bridge shot.

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Photo: Ron

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compare the above shot with this one taken in December 2010, with the river at its usual flow.

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The plan had been to return to Karangahake along the riverside track.
We are waiting here while the scouts went ahead to see if it was safe to proceed.
We were passed by the two walkers - they feature shortly.

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Photo: John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's the path at the foot of the pic.

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Photo: Ron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here are the two walkers.  The next pic shows just how narrow the path is.

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Photo: John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The walkers got there OK.  We turned back!

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Photo: John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The movie version.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ron exits the tunnel.

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Photo: John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carol and Keith return to the daylight.

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Photo: John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The garden at the delightful Talisman Cafe at Karangahake.

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Photo: John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Talisman Cafe.

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Photo: John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We did!!

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Photo: John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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