Waimanga continued.

The pool at Frying Pan Flat (above) was caused by an eruption in 1917 of Echo crater which killed two people and destroyed the flat area in the bottom, deepening the crater which soon filled up with water which boils and splutters away as you watch. The older lava pinnacles of Cathedral Rock (photo at top) smoke and steam. It is quite an eerie sensation. There were the usual folk ignoring the signs to stay away from the boiling water, stepping over the low barrier and dipping there hands in the acidic stream. Some folk ignored similar warnings in 1903 and three were killed by an erupting geyser.We continued on to the steps up to the blue lake in Inferno Crater, this lake rises and falls by 8m to overflow with water reaching 80 degrees C. It has an unseen geyser in the bottom that fills the lake then lies dormant but the period is not regular, but generally occurs over 5 -7 weeks. It is absolutely stunning. The colour is unbelievable. Here we had the choice of returning down the steps and rejoining the valley floor path or taking the hiking trail. It had a big notice: It was unsuitable for children, the elderly and infirm and was only to be attempted by fit people in the correct footwear. We like a challenge so we went on. Mother denied being elderly at 75 and our sandals were made for walking rough paths. 274 stair steps later and some bits without but still upward, Mum was regretting that rash decision. (I was still OK at that point, as I should be being 22 years her junior). We were rewarded by a cracking view down the rift valley to the lake, and benches to sit and gape at it. Which we did. After getting our breath back we had lunch and sat in the dappled shade for a well earned rest. We couldn't see the trail down from where we sat but we should have been prepared for stairs after coming up. And that is mostly what it is; a continual flight of stairs going straight down. By the time we reached the bottom my knees were all a-tremble, I'm glad Mum didn't need carrying but she seemed to fair better with the downhill.