Mount Cook

North of the town of Twizel and Lake Pukaki lies the Mount Cook National Park, our next destination.

Driving along Hooker Valley Road we were worried about the clouds - we feared we would see very little if the weather didn't improve.

We decided to proceed on the Hooker Valley track, a few hour walk to Hooker Lake and back.

An hour into the walk, while it was sunny and pleasant, the clouds still stubbornly held on.

Finally, it started to clear up.

A view of Hooker Valley in the other direction.

Caryl was uncharacteristically patient as I fumbled with the time settings on the camera, resulting in a multitude of pictures of us as a couple.

Caryl on the Hooker Bluff Bridge.

Another lovely view of Mount Cook, in all it's glory.

Stocking Stream day shelter - what a wonderful place for a lunch break!

We've made it to the shores of Hooker Lake!

The remnants of the Hooker Glacier.  Late summer is the worst time to see the glaciers; they have had all spring and summer to melt. Global warming doesn't help...

Mountain side.

Another perspective.

Heading back on the trail.

After the longer hike we walked to the Kea Point lookout for a view of Mueller Lake and the Mueller Glacier.

Here's a closeup of the Mueller lateral moraine - debris left by the glacier.

Back at the campsite - this was our view when we awoke the next morning.