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Travel guide of Hooker Valley Track
After hiking to the well-known Hooker Lake in NZ, you are treated to an equally rewarding view on the return trip. The valley stretches off into the horizon, meeting Lake Pukaki. At only 1.5hrs and on a perfectly groomed trail, this is a hike no one has an excuse not to do.
Hiking in New Zealand really is a treat. Most everyone you meet is just out to enjoy the day and see as many sights as they can. The government has done a great job at supporting this culture and almost all tracks are well marked and in amazing shape. The low population on the South Island means that you may only pass a few other people on a whole day of hiking to a truly stunning place, another bonus if you are seeking solitude!
This is Mt. Cook / Aoraki, the highest summit in New Zealand (+ 3500m) This shot was taken from Kea Point with my big 230mm lens, but it was actually pretty far out !
3 km from Hooker Valley Track
This image was taken at Hooker lake New Zealand, the image is named black ice because the glaciers beauty is stolen by the lake it sits above, unnoticed.
6 km from Hooker Valley Track
I really like that sharp mountain v. smooth clouds look. I remember thinking that the slope of the clouds almost matched the mountain range when I snapped it.
13 km from Hooker Valley Track
The wonder of The Hooker Glacier and glacial lake and the fret of Mt Cook, NZ. In winter the lake is iced over and some adventurous souls walk out onto it, not me though I’d rather view from afar.
Experienced by Jordan Heath
13 km from Hooker Valley Track
At Offcut, we’re lucky to call New Zealand home. This stunning country of big mountains and beautiful coastline is both our HQ and our playground. It’s right here that we make our limited range of lifetime guaranteed hats from fabric destined for landfill and plant a tree with every hat sold. Join us on the adventure!
13 km from Hooker Valley Track
Watching this sunset was one of the best experiences of my life - we did the Mt Cook walk in the late evening hoping to get Mt Cook for sunset. It was raining all day and all afternoon, but we set out anyway not expecting to even be able to see it. The clouds started to clear just as the sun moved behind the mountain ranges and was almost totally clear while the pinks were out. So glad that we made the decision to go anyway, mother nature had our back.
13 km from Hooker Valley Track
On our 3.5 hour drive to Mt Cook, we were surrounded by rain clouds and fog with poor visibility. We considered many times to turn around rather than waste the time driving there if we weren’t going to see anything - we had heard it was unseeable when the weather gets bad, but this was our last day in New Zealand if we were going to see it. We decided to persevere and kept driving, keeping faith that it would clear up. Only within the last 2kms of driving, it did, the sun came out the clouds cleared. It was so worth it. What a mountain. Always keep the faith.
13 km from Hooker Valley Track
Captured are the great Southern Alps in Mt Cook National Park, NZ. My friend is a pilot and took me on a flight around the Alps. The scenery is stunning!
Experienced by Jordan Heath
13 km from Hooker Valley Track
The great Southern Alps of Mt Cook National Park, New Zealand. My friend is a pilot and flew me around the alps on a beautiful sunny day. The scenery was absolutely stunning!
Experienced by Jordan Heath
13 km from Hooker Valley Track
As you round the bend of the final obscuring mountain, Mount Cook (the highest mountain in New Zealand) looms in the distance amidst the snow-covered peaks of the surrounding ranges. An absolutely spectacular, scenic trip.
18 km from Hooker Valley Track
We woke early to watch the sun tear apart the clouds around Mt Aoraki (Mt Cook), revealing its monolithic self, and the peaks of its surrounding children.
18 km from Hooker Valley Track
This was taken in the evening at Hooker Lake where i was alone in the dark apart from a few large possums. I used a long exposure but due to the wind, some of the icebergs shifted and so are slightly blurry in this image. littleleafcreative.com
Experienced by Kerensa Pickett
18 km from Hooker Valley Track
The Kea is the only alpine parrot in the world! I took this image in New Zealand at Mueller Hut, over looking the great Aoraki National Park. Mt Sefton in the background.
24 km from Hooker Valley Track
Walking alone at dusk along an immense rock wall into the promise of a sunset was very surreal. The low, thick clouds made it feel like you were in a tunnel - moving towards the light at the end.
25 km from Hooker Valley Track
I’ve spent the last 10 months in New Zealand and believe me, the South Island is one of the most craziest thing you will ever see. As we were driving to Mt. Cook (highest summit in NZ) we had to drive along this more than scenic road. First you’ll drive by Lake Pukaki and his blue water coming from the glacier, then every turn, every inch of this road will make you stop and enjoy life as it is. Please, go to New Zealand, you won’t regret it.
28 km from Hooker Valley Track
The Emyn Muil was an arc of rocky hills that ran southwest along the River Anduin, crossing it at its southern most end. It is remembered because the Ringbearer Frodo Baggins and his companion Samwise Gamgee crossed it’s razor-sharp peaks on their way to Mordor.
30 km from Hooker Valley Track
Seeing this glacier was awesome, but I was more impressed at how much it had retreated -and just how quickly that had happened! Sadly, you can no longer hike up to the glacier and this photo had to be taken from over 750m away. In 2008, standing in that same spot, I would have been *on* the glacier. Glaciers come and go naturally, but they are especially sensitive to change and our climate reality looks a little bleak. We can do better :)
32 km from Hooker Valley Track
Took a light pre-dawn stroll to ‘Reflections Island’ of Lake Matheson. The trek was easy and the directions were clear. It is always a good idea to arrive here before the crowd does! The morning fog also adds to the mirror-like lake, making it exceptionally enchanting.
Experienced by Jingwei Ke