CURRENT ALERT
Thieves breaking into vehicles
Thieves have been breaking into cars and motor-homes at various car-parks and some camp-sites along SH.73 on a regular basis (day & night). They have been stealing passports, credit cards, money, electronic devices and recreation equipment. Take your absolute valuables with you on the walks, and don't leave other valuable items in plain sight in your vehicle. Report any suspicious activity to Police '111', and note down registration plates of vehicles!
Thieves breaking into vehicles
Thieves have been breaking into cars and motor-homes at various car-parks and some camp-sites along SH.73 on a regular basis (day & night). They have been stealing passports, credit cards, money, electronic devices and recreation equipment. Take your absolute valuables with you on the walks, and don't leave other valuable items in plain sight in your vehicle. Report any suspicious activity to Police '111', and note down registration plates of vehicles!
Arthur's Pass National Park - Edwards Hut
Time: 2 days return
Difficulty: Marked track, some unmarked route sections, river crossings
Huts: Edwards Hut (14 bunks)
Features: Braided river bed, beech forest, waterfalls, possible Blue Duck sightings, alpine environment
Route Guides: Edwards River - Hawdon River (1.7MB)
Location: The route starts from Greyney's Shelter, 5km south of Arthur's Pass village on SH 73.
Difficulty: Marked track, some unmarked route sections, river crossings
Huts: Edwards Hut (14 bunks)
Features: Braided river bed, beech forest, waterfalls, possible Blue Duck sightings, alpine environment
Route Guides: Edwards River - Hawdon River (1.7MB)
Location: The route starts from Greyney's Shelter, 5km south of Arthur's Pass village on SH 73.
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.
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.