As you approach Mount Cook Village from the south, the road hugs Lake Pukaki, a light blue so vibrant it looks fake. You then notice the towering snow capped mountain that contrast the blue of the lake. Mount Cook village consists of 3 hotels, 3 restaurants and a camp site right up against the Mountains.
We arrived around noon and were denied checking before 2 so we headed out to the first hike. The Hooker Valley trail could be the most spectacular walk of the trip. This relatively flat walk rides next to a glacial river with amazing views of the Mueller Glacier and then Mount Cook. You cross 3 suspension bridges (which Danielle is not much of a fan) and conclude at Hooker Lake. We spent 45 minutes staring at the mountain while Bryce threw rocks into the lake. We were in no rush to leave the view.
The next day we started early to climb the Sealy Tarne Track. This hike consists of 2200 stairs climbing straight up 1800ft. The government brochures call this the “stairway to heaven,” but with a toddler on your back, its more like a “stairmaster from hell”. As we climbed the views kept getting better and better. By the time we reached the Tarne (small mountain lake) our legs felt like jelly. There I took a time laps video of the clouds crossing the mountains as Bryce threw rocks into the little lake. We make it down the stairs in what felt like a few minutes and feasted on crushed PB&Js in the parking lot. The day was not done. After attempting (and failing) to nap Bryce in his crib, we drove a few miles to see the Tasman Glacier and hike the Tasman Lake and Blue Pools Walk. Again, Bryce spent 30 minutes throwing rocks into the Blue lakes as we rested our legs. After a full day, we enjoyed some beers with amazing views of the mountains.
