Tongariro National Park

The day out of Waikaremoana turned into a nice one, especially as we were passing just north of Tongariro. So we swung back there in hopes of the hiking on a nice day. We didn't have time that day but the next day was supposed to be a beauty as well so we stuck around. 3 volcanoes find home in Tongariro National Park: Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. That's Tongariro on the left, and the perfect cone of Ngauruhoe on the right. Ruapehu is a little further right and our hike took us between the last two.
Next day we awoke and the day was indeed gorgeous so we jumped on the hike. As we stormed up the trail, overjoyed to be back on a hike worthy of our prowess, nothing could stop us. Except the risk of a nasty burn; we lathered up and pushed on. damn it we're hard.. rock hard.
Never having been on a snow hike it was pretty cool. Once again, pun not intended, I'm sorry these just happen.
This one's Ruapehu. I hope you like it.
Our destination was lower Tuma lake. it's in this crater.
OK these pics are gonna be a little out of order because the computer won't let me cut and paste them. Paul spent hours re-loading pics in other postings for just this problem. I'm not doing the same, mostly to spite him.
The majority of the trail had been unbroken in the fresh snow. Luckily it was freezing the night before providing a firm top layer of snow. Unfortunately it wasn't always enough to hold one's weight and any step could push through the top, sinking in up to your hip. It made for some humorous hiking. Naturally any time we'd tout ourselves for taking a good short-cut, or mention how this was quicker than following the winding trail in summer, the snow would give and our feet would start breaking through.
About an hour into the hike was Taranaki waterfalls. Did we take a picture? OF COURSE we took a picture!
This is back at Lower Tuma lake, our turnaround point and lunch stop.