With rain in the forecast, we got up and had a quick breakfast before heading to the 2.3 mile (each way) hike to Fox Glacier over look in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park. The hike out was pleasant and we were walking through a tropical rainforest. Where else in the world would you hike through a tropical rainforest to get to a glacier? When we reached the end of the trail, we were disappointed to find that we could not see the glacier. We blamed it on the low clouds. Only later did we realize the glacier had receded so far that it was hidden behind a ridge. The hike back out seemed to be longer than the hike in. We said hello to everyone we passed and were surprised to find very few people even responded. We drove back to the small town of Fox Glacier and had a wonderful lunch at the Cook Saddle Café. While we were eating lunch the rain moved in and it was pouring. After looking at the weather radar, it looked like the rain would move through in a couple of hours, so we drove on over to Franz Josef Glacier walk. There are several narrow one lane bridges on the road to Franz Josef. They seem to like on lane bridges in this country. When we reached the parking lot, the rain was pounding down. But there were still people braving the rain to walk up the ½ mile trail. We sat in the motorhome for an hour and a half expecting the rain to stop. Finally, David decided to go for it anyway. Isn’t that why we brought our rain coats with? Leslie was smart and stayed in the warm and dry RV, but began doubting her decision because when would we ever get back to New Zealand? David trudged all the way to the end of the trail in the rain but the glacier has receded out of site here as well. He then trudged all the way back in the rain and just as he reached the parking lot, the rain stopped. Then the clouds parted and the sun came out and we got our best view of the glacier from the parking lot. So in all it worked out for both of us!
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| Narrow One Lane Bridges |
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| Walking through the rainforest |
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| View from Fox Glacier Overlook. Where's the glacier? |
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| Stop! It is dangerous to go further! |
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| Trailhead for Franz Josef Glacier Overlook trail |
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| View from the Franz Josef Glacier Overlook. Where is the glacier? |
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| Trail through the rainforest to Franz Josef Overlook |
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| Franz Josef Glacier from the parking lot |
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