Matukituki Valley, Mt Aspiring National Park

The Matukituki Valley in Mt Aspiring National Park is one of my favourite places.  We have been here before but this time, after parking in the Raspberry Creek carpark, we chose to go straight up the valley instead of turning right and going to the Rob Roy valley.  We passed the 38 bunk Aspiring Hut, and continued on the Shovel Flat for lunch where we had good views of Mt Aspiring. Unfortunately it was then time to turn back and retrace our steps, a great 7 hour fairly easy walk, with light winds and a blue sky.  What more could anyone ask for?  The difficult part is choosing which of my many photos best represents the picture perfect scenery.

Following the west branch of the Matukituki River

The Aspiring Hut 

Shovel Flat, where we had lunch, then turned back.  

The track is partly on private land, with lots of stock.  These sheep were finding a shady spot behind a large rock.