CURRENT ALERT
Didymo in the Bealey and Mingha Rivers
Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata), a very invasive fresh water algae has been confirmed in the Bealey and Mingha Rivers (and by default the Waimakariri. It is also likely to be in the Edwards River). DO NOT SPREAD IT TO OTHER CATCHMENTS (Hawdon, East & West Otehake, Sudden Valley)! Check, clean, then dry any equipment that comes into contact with the water, between every waterway, every time! Treat items that can't be dried with diluted dish wash detergent (10% for 10 minutes).
Didymo in the Bealey and Mingha Rivers
Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata), a very invasive fresh water algae has been confirmed in the Bealey and Mingha Rivers (and by default the Waimakariri. It is also likely to be in the Edwards River). DO NOT SPREAD IT TO OTHER CATCHMENTS (Hawdon, East & West Otehake, Sudden Valley)! Check, clean, then dry any equipment that comes into contact with the water, between every waterway, every time! Treat items that can't be dried with diluted dish wash detergent (10% for 10 minutes).
Arthur's Pass National Park - Otehake Gorge
Time: 4-5 days one way
Difficulty: Marked track, long unmarked route sections, river crossings
Huts: Edwards Hut (14 bunks), West Otehake Hut (6 bunks)
Features: A rugged, steep, gorge, alpine tops, hot spring
Route Guides: Edwards River - Otehake River (1.5MB)
Location: The track heads are 5km (Greyneys Shelter) eastwards of Arthur's Pass village, and 23km (Aickens) westwards of Arthur's Pass village
Difficulty: Marked track, long unmarked route sections, river crossings
Huts: Edwards Hut (14 bunks), West Otehake Hut (6 bunks)
Features: A rugged, steep, gorge, alpine tops, hot spring
Route Guides: Edwards River - Otehake River (1.5MB)
Location: The track heads are 5km (Greyneys Shelter) eastwards of Arthur's Pass village, and 23km (Aickens) westwards of Arthur's Pass village
SH 73 to Edwards Hut (4-6 hours one way)
Car parking is at Greyneys Shelter. From there head across the road through the underpass under the railway tracks. This joins with a 4wd track that leads to the Bealey River. Cross the Bealey River just above its confluence with the Mingha River. If the river is not easy to cross here you will have problems further on, so save the trip for another day.
Look for the sign and orange markers on the Mingha River flats which mark the start of a 20-minute track to bypass the lower Edwards gorge. This track starts just below the confluence of the Mingha and Edwards Rivers.
When the track emerges on to the riverbed, travel upstream on the true left for 1 hour, climbing the bank once or twice when necessary. Cross the East Branch of the Edwards River (difficult when high) above where it joins the main river and pick up the marked track 100 m up the East Branch on the opposite bank. The track rises and falls several times avoiding steep side gullies, and gives the odd glimpse of waterfalls as it follows the Edwards River canyon.
In the lower valley (below the East Edwards confluence) this route crosses several very large avalanche run-out zones; do not attempt after heavy snow, or if it is raining onto a winter snowpack!
Take extreme care on this part of the track as there are large drop-offs and steep sections of track.
The track leads to a large upland valley, emerging finally among tussocks on the upper river flats (take care as it is easy to lose the way in the maze of tussocks.) The track leads back into the forest for a short section before emerging on the river flats with a clear view to Edwards Hut. Total time from the road is 4–6 hours, the junction with the East Branch being a little under halfway.
The radio at Edwards Hut is monitored by Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre during office hours, 7 days a week. Please read the instructions carefully. There is a log burner in the hut for heating, but you will need your own cooker and utensils.
Edwards Hut to West Otehake Hut (5-6 hours one way)
This area is subject to avalanche activity during the winter. Do not travel this route during heavy snow conditions.
Follow the pole-marked route from the hut upstream. The route shortly drops into the riverbed. Travel is generally beside the river, crossing back and forth where necessary. Keep your eye our for Blue Duck (Whio) in the river. Above the confluence of the unnamed Amber Col stream the river can be dry in the summer months. The rockpiles of Taruahuna Pass are reached in about 2 hours from the hut.
Climb onto the rockpile and follow the numerous rock cairns across the debris field to the base of Tarn Col where you will encounter a sign. This is where you leave the normal route to the Hawdon Valley and head off into the depths of the Otehake. Continue moving along the crest of the Taruahuna Pass rockpile north towards the Otehake Valley. Veering right temporarily on the rock debris towards the bottom of the slopes below Tarn Col. Scramble down through rocky terraces, moving towards the true left side of the valley, to pick up the cairned route that continues down several streams.
If the river is low, it is easier to follow the river through the shingle bluffs to its junction with Lake Sally stream. Alternatively, where the river begins to drop away between high shingle bluffs, climb the scree spurs to gain the high terrace on the true-left (look for marker poles on the crest). Follow the terrace using a defined (but overgrown) track through the bush. The route rejoins the riverbed where the Lake Sally side river joins the Otehake. This is about 2 hours from the summit of the pass.
Ford this side river and continue down the riverbed on the true-left for about 15 minutes, toward where bush-clad banks draw together. Pick up the marked track on the true-left. Follow it through bush for about 30 minutes to the West Otehake Hut on a small bush-covered flat, just above the point where the East Branch of the Otehake joins the West Branch.
West Otehake Hut to Otehake Hot Spring (8-10 hours one way)
This is where things become slow and difficult. If it is raining return to Edwards hut! The route is overgrown, track marking can be less than obvious, there are fresh landslides and slippery ravines to cross ahead of you. You should be carrying a tent as very few people can make it to the highway in a day.
The Otehake River cannot be followed and should only be used where the route leads to it. From the hut, the track (initially OK) enters the podocarp forest, and begins to sidle the contour, eventually gaining some 90-250m above the Otehake River itself. There is not much point here describing the route from the hut to Whaiti Stream, a mere 4.5km. This section is tough, and deceivably slow going. You are guaranteed to lose the route, needing to retrace your steps to regain it. Active landslides sweep the hills, and care will be required crossing at least one of these as you cross rock slabs 180m above the river below. When you reach the area opposite the Koropuku Stream confluence a mine shaft of a track descends to the river - YOU STAY ON THE CONTOUR! The creek before Whaiti Stream can be treacherous if slippery. Take a lot of care crossing it, and ascending the bluff on the other side (you might like to carry a 15m handline to assist others in your party here). There is another landslip just before Whaiti Stream that requires care crossing.
The "track" drops into Whaiti Stream about 200m from its confluence with the Otehake. This stream often rises rapidly to become impossible to cross. The track begins again slightly lower down (20m) on the other side; climbing a steep bank to enter thick bush. Another series of landslides (1.7km downstream of Whaiti Stream) require care. The track eventually descends back to the Otehake River about 200m upstream of an island. Cross the Otehake where safe to the true-right, and move into the dry flood channel there. This is where you will find the reward of the Otehake hot spring. Do not immerse your head in the spring as there is a risk of contracting amoebic meningitis. There are good spots to camp on the island next to the spring. If it is raining it is highly suggested to move onto a campsite near the end of Lake Kaurapataka (1-2 hours).
Otehake Hot Spring to SH73 (Aickens) (4-6 hours one way)
From the island head downstream on the true-right, crossing to the true-left when things get difficult. About 800m further on a marked track enters the bush on the true-left and climbs above the river, it sidles the hillside, diving up & down, until it reaches a 'T' junction at the end of Lake Kaurapataka. Turn left, and follow the marked track beside the lake. Small rock cairns mark short tracks to campsites on the lake edge. After 3km Lake Stream is crossed and the track continues through red beech forest to cross Pfeifer Stream about 300m above its confluence with the Taramakau River. The track passes through the bush corner (another good campsite) and joins the farm track heading west towards the Otira River (2.9km).
It is not recommended to use the "flood track" that runs from the Otira River confluence to the Morrison foot-bridge, it is overgrown, slow, and if there is flooding, it too is also cut off by the Otira River. In good conditions look for reasonable crossing of the Otira River to its true-left (in recent years this has been through the braids slightly upstream). Walk downstream until you find the track ascending onto to terrace above at a fence. Follow the fence (on its left side) to a stile back into the carpark on SH73.
Car parking is at Greyneys Shelter. From there head across the road through the underpass under the railway tracks. This joins with a 4wd track that leads to the Bealey River. Cross the Bealey River just above its confluence with the Mingha River. If the river is not easy to cross here you will have problems further on, so save the trip for another day.
Look for the sign and orange markers on the Mingha River flats which mark the start of a 20-minute track to bypass the lower Edwards gorge. This track starts just below the confluence of the Mingha and Edwards Rivers.
When the track emerges on to the riverbed, travel upstream on the true left for 1 hour, climbing the bank once or twice when necessary. Cross the East Branch of the Edwards River (difficult when high) above where it joins the main river and pick up the marked track 100 m up the East Branch on the opposite bank. The track rises and falls several times avoiding steep side gullies, and gives the odd glimpse of waterfalls as it follows the Edwards River canyon.
In the lower valley (below the East Edwards confluence) this route crosses several very large avalanche run-out zones; do not attempt after heavy snow, or if it is raining onto a winter snowpack!
Take extreme care on this part of the track as there are large drop-offs and steep sections of track.
The track leads to a large upland valley, emerging finally among tussocks on the upper river flats (take care as it is easy to lose the way in the maze of tussocks.) The track leads back into the forest for a short section before emerging on the river flats with a clear view to Edwards Hut. Total time from the road is 4–6 hours, the junction with the East Branch being a little under halfway.
The radio at Edwards Hut is monitored by Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre during office hours, 7 days a week. Please read the instructions carefully. There is a log burner in the hut for heating, but you will need your own cooker and utensils.
Edwards Hut to West Otehake Hut (5-6 hours one way)
This area is subject to avalanche activity during the winter. Do not travel this route during heavy snow conditions.
Follow the pole-marked route from the hut upstream. The route shortly drops into the riverbed. Travel is generally beside the river, crossing back and forth where necessary. Keep your eye our for Blue Duck (Whio) in the river. Above the confluence of the unnamed Amber Col stream the river can be dry in the summer months. The rockpiles of Taruahuna Pass are reached in about 2 hours from the hut.
Climb onto the rockpile and follow the numerous rock cairns across the debris field to the base of Tarn Col where you will encounter a sign. This is where you leave the normal route to the Hawdon Valley and head off into the depths of the Otehake. Continue moving along the crest of the Taruahuna Pass rockpile north towards the Otehake Valley. Veering right temporarily on the rock debris towards the bottom of the slopes below Tarn Col. Scramble down through rocky terraces, moving towards the true left side of the valley, to pick up the cairned route that continues down several streams.
If the river is low, it is easier to follow the river through the shingle bluffs to its junction with Lake Sally stream. Alternatively, where the river begins to drop away between high shingle bluffs, climb the scree spurs to gain the high terrace on the true-left (look for marker poles on the crest). Follow the terrace using a defined (but overgrown) track through the bush. The route rejoins the riverbed where the Lake Sally side river joins the Otehake. This is about 2 hours from the summit of the pass.
Ford this side river and continue down the riverbed on the true-left for about 15 minutes, toward where bush-clad banks draw together. Pick up the marked track on the true-left. Follow it through bush for about 30 minutes to the West Otehake Hut on a small bush-covered flat, just above the point where the East Branch of the Otehake joins the West Branch.
West Otehake Hut to Otehake Hot Spring (8-10 hours one way)
This is where things become slow and difficult. If it is raining return to Edwards hut! The route is overgrown, track marking can be less than obvious, there are fresh landslides and slippery ravines to cross ahead of you. You should be carrying a tent as very few people can make it to the highway in a day.
The Otehake River cannot be followed and should only be used where the route leads to it. From the hut, the track (initially OK) enters the podocarp forest, and begins to sidle the contour, eventually gaining some 90-250m above the Otehake River itself. There is not much point here describing the route from the hut to Whaiti Stream, a mere 4.5km. This section is tough, and deceivably slow going. You are guaranteed to lose the route, needing to retrace your steps to regain it. Active landslides sweep the hills, and care will be required crossing at least one of these as you cross rock slabs 180m above the river below. When you reach the area opposite the Koropuku Stream confluence a mine shaft of a track descends to the river - YOU STAY ON THE CONTOUR! The creek before Whaiti Stream can be treacherous if slippery. Take a lot of care crossing it, and ascending the bluff on the other side (you might like to carry a 15m handline to assist others in your party here). There is another landslip just before Whaiti Stream that requires care crossing.
The "track" drops into Whaiti Stream about 200m from its confluence with the Otehake. This stream often rises rapidly to become impossible to cross. The track begins again slightly lower down (20m) on the other side; climbing a steep bank to enter thick bush. Another series of landslides (1.7km downstream of Whaiti Stream) require care. The track eventually descends back to the Otehake River about 200m upstream of an island. Cross the Otehake where safe to the true-right, and move into the dry flood channel there. This is where you will find the reward of the Otehake hot spring. Do not immerse your head in the spring as there is a risk of contracting amoebic meningitis. There are good spots to camp on the island next to the spring. If it is raining it is highly suggested to move onto a campsite near the end of Lake Kaurapataka (1-2 hours).
Otehake Hot Spring to SH73 (Aickens) (4-6 hours one way)
From the island head downstream on the true-right, crossing to the true-left when things get difficult. About 800m further on a marked track enters the bush on the true-left and climbs above the river, it sidles the hillside, diving up & down, until it reaches a 'T' junction at the end of Lake Kaurapataka. Turn left, and follow the marked track beside the lake. Small rock cairns mark short tracks to campsites on the lake edge. After 3km Lake Stream is crossed and the track continues through red beech forest to cross Pfeifer Stream about 300m above its confluence with the Taramakau River. The track passes through the bush corner (another good campsite) and joins the farm track heading west towards the Otira River (2.9km).
It is not recommended to use the "flood track" that runs from the Otira River confluence to the Morrison foot-bridge, it is overgrown, slow, and if there is flooding, it too is also cut off by the Otira River. In good conditions look for reasonable crossing of the Otira River to its true-left (in recent years this has been through the braids slightly upstream). Walk downstream until you find the track ascending onto to terrace above at a fence. Follow the fence (on its left side) to a stile back into the carpark on SH73.