CURRENT ALERT
Hamilton is now bookable!
The Hamilton Hut is now on the DOC Booking System (bookable from Nov 18, 2024) it is no longer 'first in, first served'. No hut wardens will be present to manage this, so take a tent!
Hamilton is now bookable!
The Hamilton Hut is now on the DOC Booking System (bookable from Nov 18, 2024) it is no longer 'first in, first served'. No hut wardens will be present to manage this, so take a tent!
Craigieburn Forest Park - Cass / Lagoon Saddle Track
Note: Hamilton Hut is now on the DOC Booking System, and MUST BE booked online before attempting to stay there (hut tickets are no longer viable here). Because this hut will not have a hut warden it is highly recommended to carry a tent!
Time: 2-3 days
Difficulty: Marked track, some unmarked route sections, river crossings
Huts: Cass Saddle Hut (3 bunks), Hamilton Hut (20 bunks), West Harper Hut (5 bunks), Lagoon Shelters (2 bunks)
Features: Beech forest, two alpine passes, lakes, a side trip to the Pinnacles rock formation
Route Guides: Cass - Lagoon Saddle (PDF 1.65MB)
Location: The track heads are 16 km (Cora Lynn) and 27 km (Cass) east of Arthur's Pass, and that puts about 11 km between them after you exit the track. The safest direction to do the track is starting at the Cass end, this puts river crossings immediately so you will know if they are too dangerous to cross or not. If you have a private car, park it either at the Cora Lynn end (the safest car-park) or alternatively at the Cass Railway Station car-park (adds 1 km extra walking), do not leave it on Highway 73 at the Cass track-head!
Difficulty: Marked track, some unmarked route sections, river crossings
Huts: Cass Saddle Hut (3 bunks), Hamilton Hut (20 bunks), West Harper Hut (5 bunks), Lagoon Shelters (2 bunks)
Features: Beech forest, two alpine passes, lakes, a side trip to the Pinnacles rock formation
Route Guides: Cass - Lagoon Saddle (PDF 1.65MB)
Location: The track heads are 16 km (Cora Lynn) and 27 km (Cass) east of Arthur's Pass, and that puts about 11 km between them after you exit the track. The safest direction to do the track is starting at the Cass end, this puts river crossings immediately so you will know if they are too dangerous to cross or not. If you have a private car, park it either at the Cora Lynn end (the safest car-park) or alternatively at the Cass Railway Station car-park (adds 1 km extra walking), do not leave it on Highway 73 at the Cass track-head!
Cass carpark to Cass Saddle Hut (4 hours one way)
From the signposted car park at the east end of the Cass River road bridge, follow the vehicle track next to the row of pine trees until it meets Cass River.
Follow the riverbed upstream, keeping to the true right bank as much as possible. You will need to cross the river several times. The track climbs into the forest at a marked point just below the junction with Long Valley Stream; it is easy to miss if you are on the wrong side of Cass River so stay on the true right. The river is crossed again via a bridge, then the track climbs for another 20–30 minutes before crossing the river again.
Cass Saddle Hut is reached soon after you have crossed to the true right bank. It has three bunks and a wood burning stove. Water can be obtained from a small stream just to the south-east of the hut.
Cass Saddle Hut to Hamilton Hut (2 hours 30 minutes one way)
The tussock basin above Cass Saddle Hut is reached shortly after leaving the hut, and the poled route climbs gradually to the saddle. Hamilton Hut can be seen in the distance down the valley. Traverse left for 200 metres to the start of the cut track.
This area is subject to avalanche activity during the winter. During heavy snow conditions, we advise visitors not to travel this route unless sufficiently equipped and experienced to assess the conditions and choose a safe path through avalanche terrain.
The track drops steeply from the saddle, and then more gently through the bush terraces, joining Hamilton Creek 15 minutes from Hamilton Hut. The 20 bunk hut has a wood burning stove and a radio linked to Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre. Calls can be made during office hours to obtain weather forecasts.
Side trip: The Pinnacles (4–6 hours return)
In the lower Harper valley, erosion has formed an interesting geological feature that makes a worthwhile side trip from Hamilton Hut.
The Pinnacles were made from geologically young rock, about 3–7 million years ago, consisting of alluvial sands and gravels. Erosion, caused by rain water washing away the exposed soil, has formed the pinnacle shapes. Pebbles or small stones may be seen on the tops of the pinnacles, temporarily protecting them from erosion. Nearby, the Harper River has exposed older rocks containing marine fossils.
The route to The Pinnacles is down the Harper River from Hamilton Creek, following the Te Araroa Trail, initially on a walking track, then a 4WD track. The Harper River needs to be crossed several times – crossings should not be attempted if the river is high. The 4WD track crosses private farmland; please do not disturb any stock. The Pinnacles are set back a short way on the true right bank.
Hamilton Hut to West Harper Hut (2 hours 30 minutes one way)
The route crosses Hamilton Creek at the footbridge 10 minutes downstream from Hamilton Hut and leads to a swing bridge across Harper River, a short distance above its confluence with Hamilton Creek.
After crossing the swing bridge, the route continues upstream on the true right of the river to West Harper Hut. In fine weather and suitable conditions, the riverbed offers an easy alternative with several fine swimming holes along the way. West Harper Hut (a hut built in the 1950s) has five canvas bunks, a fireplace and a dirt floor.
Side trip: Mirror Tarn (20 minutes return)
A side trip can be made to Mirror Tarn while en route to West Harper Hut. About 20 m beyond the Hamilton Creek bridge is the sign to Mirror Tarn. Follow the marked track steeply uphill for about 10 minutes to reach the tarn.
West Harper Hut to Lagoon Saddle Hut (2–3 hours one way)
From West Harper Hut the track bypasses a small gorge to reach river flats which are then followed to the confluence of Long Creek and Harper River. Follow the markers up the Harper riverbed for approximately 500 metres and then a formed track on the true left climbs steadily to Lagoon Saddle Shelter. Lagoon Saddle Hut is located just across the river and has two bunks and mattresses.
Lagoon Saddle Hut to Bealey Hut and SH.73 (2–3 hours one way)
From Lagoon Saddle Hut the track gradually climbs through patches of beech forest above the tarns on Lagoon Saddle. It is marked by poles and markers.
Once on the northern face of Mount Bruce, the track descends through tussock and gives views of the snow-capped peaks of Arthur’s Pass National Park and the braided Waimakariri River.
The track descends through beech and exotic forest to Bealey Hut (six bunks). A further 5 minute walk from the hut takes you to the car park by Cora Lynn Station, and another 2 minutes to SH.73.
From the signposted car park at the east end of the Cass River road bridge, follow the vehicle track next to the row of pine trees until it meets Cass River.
Follow the riverbed upstream, keeping to the true right bank as much as possible. You will need to cross the river several times. The track climbs into the forest at a marked point just below the junction with Long Valley Stream; it is easy to miss if you are on the wrong side of Cass River so stay on the true right. The river is crossed again via a bridge, then the track climbs for another 20–30 minutes before crossing the river again.
Cass Saddle Hut is reached soon after you have crossed to the true right bank. It has three bunks and a wood burning stove. Water can be obtained from a small stream just to the south-east of the hut.
Cass Saddle Hut to Hamilton Hut (2 hours 30 minutes one way)
The tussock basin above Cass Saddle Hut is reached shortly after leaving the hut, and the poled route climbs gradually to the saddle. Hamilton Hut can be seen in the distance down the valley. Traverse left for 200 metres to the start of the cut track.
This area is subject to avalanche activity during the winter. During heavy snow conditions, we advise visitors not to travel this route unless sufficiently equipped and experienced to assess the conditions and choose a safe path through avalanche terrain.
The track drops steeply from the saddle, and then more gently through the bush terraces, joining Hamilton Creek 15 minutes from Hamilton Hut. The 20 bunk hut has a wood burning stove and a radio linked to Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre. Calls can be made during office hours to obtain weather forecasts.
Side trip: The Pinnacles (4–6 hours return)
In the lower Harper valley, erosion has formed an interesting geological feature that makes a worthwhile side trip from Hamilton Hut.
The Pinnacles were made from geologically young rock, about 3–7 million years ago, consisting of alluvial sands and gravels. Erosion, caused by rain water washing away the exposed soil, has formed the pinnacle shapes. Pebbles or small stones may be seen on the tops of the pinnacles, temporarily protecting them from erosion. Nearby, the Harper River has exposed older rocks containing marine fossils.
The route to The Pinnacles is down the Harper River from Hamilton Creek, following the Te Araroa Trail, initially on a walking track, then a 4WD track. The Harper River needs to be crossed several times – crossings should not be attempted if the river is high. The 4WD track crosses private farmland; please do not disturb any stock. The Pinnacles are set back a short way on the true right bank.
Hamilton Hut to West Harper Hut (2 hours 30 minutes one way)
The route crosses Hamilton Creek at the footbridge 10 minutes downstream from Hamilton Hut and leads to a swing bridge across Harper River, a short distance above its confluence with Hamilton Creek.
After crossing the swing bridge, the route continues upstream on the true right of the river to West Harper Hut. In fine weather and suitable conditions, the riverbed offers an easy alternative with several fine swimming holes along the way. West Harper Hut (a hut built in the 1950s) has five canvas bunks, a fireplace and a dirt floor.
Side trip: Mirror Tarn (20 minutes return)
A side trip can be made to Mirror Tarn while en route to West Harper Hut. About 20 m beyond the Hamilton Creek bridge is the sign to Mirror Tarn. Follow the marked track steeply uphill for about 10 minutes to reach the tarn.
West Harper Hut to Lagoon Saddle Hut (2–3 hours one way)
From West Harper Hut the track bypasses a small gorge to reach river flats which are then followed to the confluence of Long Creek and Harper River. Follow the markers up the Harper riverbed for approximately 500 metres and then a formed track on the true left climbs steadily to Lagoon Saddle Shelter. Lagoon Saddle Hut is located just across the river and has two bunks and mattresses.
Lagoon Saddle Hut to Bealey Hut and SH.73 (2–3 hours one way)
From Lagoon Saddle Hut the track gradually climbs through patches of beech forest above the tarns on Lagoon Saddle. It is marked by poles and markers.
Once on the northern face of Mount Bruce, the track descends through tussock and gives views of the snow-capped peaks of Arthur’s Pass National Park and the braided Waimakariri River.
The track descends through beech and exotic forest to Bealey Hut (six bunks). A further 5 minute walk from the hut takes you to the car park by Cora Lynn Station, and another 2 minutes to SH.73.
