Day 2 and 3: Twilight Beach to Utea Park (12-70km)

I tried to get an early start on the day to stay out of the sun. I got really sunburned on day 1 even though I wore sunscreen, but I slathered on more and as soon as I began 90 mile beach I attached my hiking umbrella to my pack to help keep the sun off me a bit.

Around 4:30 pm I made it to Bluff. I had originally planned to camp here, but decided hiking in the sun on the beach wasn't the best idea for the next two days of beach walking. I napped in the shade for a few hours and made dinner around 7. The Canadians made it to The Bluff Campground and I met trail angel Steve there too.

Around sunset, 8:30 pm, I hit the trail to hike through the night to Utea Park.

My headlamp stopped working, but the stars were so bright and I couldn't get lost. I just had to keep the Sea to my right and the sand dunes to my left.

I lost count of how many shooting stars I saw seemingly drip down the sky. I felt like I was walking in a planetarium.

It was nearly dusk and I arrived at Utea Park, around 6 am. Paul and Tania run the great place and have cabins you can stay in for $15. They've been so kind and welcoming!

I slept til noon, took care of my foot's one blister, ate and hid from the sun. And in the evening I got to see Trevor, Erinn, and Steve. I had just woken up so I was a little groggy.

A nice American staying at Utea Park had an extra headlamp he gave me so I'll definitely walk through the night again to get to Ahipara. I'll probably just start closer to midnight so I can see the sun rise tomorrow.

We'll see how it goes!

Here are some photos from Twilight Beach to Utea Park:

Looking back on Twilight Beach. The campground I stayed at is just right of center.

Walking through Manuka Trees (I think). Manuka Honey is a huge industry in New Zealand

Weird sea birds. I have no idea what they are.

The campground at Bluff where I got some water and made dinner. I'm glad it was mentioned in the trail notes or I probably wouldn't have found it since it was behind a sand dune.

Wild horse tracks on the beach. I didn't get to see any but their tracks showed up a few times. There were car and four wheeler tracks all along the beach too. People drive down it like a road when the tide isn't high.

This is where I rested all day at Utea Park. It was wonderful!