Douglas Range Route

Track category

Route

Time:

5-7 days

Description

The first part of the information below describes the trip as direct as possible from Aorere Valley to Cobb Valley.

The other option is from Adelaide Tarn Hut to Lonely Lake Hut via Anatoki Forks Hut. This is also described below.

Both options are in the Douglas Range route guide PDF.

Road end to Boulder Lake Hut (7-8 hr)

Boulder Lake

This section of the route is classified as tramping track. The first 5 km of track is easy and takes one hour. From here the track passes over limestone-capped terrain and climbs steadily through beech and manuka forest. The track sidles along the left of the Pulpit to eventually emerge at the open Cow Saddle.

From Cow Saddle the track is fully exposed to the weather conditions. Follow the poled route to the lake. The route sidles around to the right to a point beside a small rock outcrop on the skyline ridge. Continue to sidle under the bluffs of Brown Cow, crossing the top of a shingle scree and descend on a tussock spur down to the lake itself, emerging at the junction of Kiwi Creek and Boulder Lake where there is a campsite. To reach Boulder Lake Hut (standard 8 bunks) continue around the eastern edge of the lake.

Side trip to dam wall and to a waterfall, the source of Boulder River

From Kiwi Creek a 45 minute side trip takes you to view the remains of the dam wall, built by gold miners across the lake outlet stream. The water from the lake was led by a long series of flumes and aqueducts to sluice gold claims on the Quartz Range goldfields, 6 km away. A view of the spectacular 65 metre waterfall, the beginning of Boulder River, can be seen by climbing to an obvious vantage point further to the west of the wall remains.

Boulder Lake Hut to Adelaide Tarn Hut (5-6 hr)

This section of the route requires a high degree of off-track experience and fitness. It is not for the inexperienced and is very exposed to harsh weather conditions. Streams and rivers are not bridged. Carry gas or liquid fuel cookers as wood fuel is unavailable at Adelaide Tarn and Lonely Lake Huts, and a tent as these huts have limited sleeping space.

From Boulder Lake Hut continue up the valley to pick up rock cairns that lead up the only tussock spur to Green Saddle. There is an optional sidle to the left into Green Saddle, starting above the bush edge in this spur. Continue to the next small saddle before and under point 1450 metres. Here two large rock cairns on a quartz outcrop mark the first two sidles on the Anatoki side of this main ridge to the Needles Eye. The first sidle is on a cairned animal track passing under point 1450 metres, then it gains and follows the stunted bush ridge to the second sidle under points 1411 metres and 1488 metres. Descend and sidle through bush on a marked animal track to pick up cairns across a tussock face under the obvious rock ribs. This then leads to the top of the first finger of bush in a narrow gut under the Needles Eye. Climb this flax-filled gut to the Needles Eye (saddle). From the Eye descend directly onto a short tussock spur to an obvious track and terrace that leads towards Adelaide Tarn and hut (basic 4 bunks). Do not attempt to sidle from the Eye around the Needle to the hut - it is steep and bluffed.

Adelaide Tarn to Lonely Lake Hut direct route (1 day, 8-10 hr)

From Adelaide Tarn Hut climb up behind the hut to the lowest point under point 1435 metres above the upper Anatoki. Descend a spur to the end of the stunted bush above the bluff and sidle across to your left and down under the rock bluffs under point 1435 metres or where the ridge opposite meets upper valley. There are several bluffs in the bush on this descent, keep below these. You should meet the Anatoki River just below a very bouldery section and a small stream coming off 1435 and Yuletide on the true left, Grid Reference 627 665 on map BP23. Follow close to the river on the true left to where the river valley opens up just above point 744 metres. Cross to the true right and down to the top of the patch of dead beech forest and a large rock cairn. Then proceed as described above.

Note: If tramping from Lonely Lake to Adelaide Tarn, once down in the Anatoki River and heading towards point 1435 metres, trampers should stick to the river for as long as possible before heading uphill.

Lonely Lake to Fenella (6-8 hr)

From Lonely Lake Hut follow the non-maintained track that sidles up through bush onto the Douglas Range and the open ridge line. Follow the ridge, with the occasional optional sidle on animal tracks. Sidle across the scree under Kakapo Peak and regain the ridge, and then follow the cairned route that sidles below point 1550 metres and Waingaro Peak to reach a bushed spur. Continue down a well-marked track to Fenella Hut, serviced 12 bunks.

Note: The route from Lonely Lake to Waingaro Peak is cairned.

Fenella Hut to Trilobite Hut/roadend (4-5 hr)

From Fenella Hut the track drops down a series of glacier worn rocky steps and after about 20 minutes you reach Cobb Hut (basic 4 bunks). A short side walk takes you to Lake Cobb and Round Lake above it. From Cobb Hut continue down the valley, passing Chaffeys Hut (derelict) and finishing at Trilobite Hut (standard 12 bunks) and the roadend.

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The following describes from Adelaide Tarn hut to Lonely Lake Hut via Anatoki Forks Hut:

Adelaide Tarn to Anatoki Forks Hut (5-6 hr)

If going from Boulder Lake to Anatoki Forks Hut, (standard 6 bunks), directly, follow the cairned route from the Needles Eye sidling down towards the saddle leading to Yuletide. This route passes under bluff and rocky sections on the northern slopes of the Needle, reaching the saddle and then climbs up and over Yuletide Peak.

From Adelaide Tarn retrace the route back to the Needles Eye and sidle around the north side of the Needle. The route over Yuletide Peak is cairned. The route goes over Yuletide Peak then follows the long, rather broken ridge towards the Forks. The map also incorrectly shows a sidle around Yuletide. A marked track is reached and descends steeply through silver and mountain beech forest to the south branch of the Anatoki River. This river crossing can be extremely difficult and it may be necessary to go up river to cross or wait it out. Once across the river the track meets the Anatoki Track. Turn left and follow the track to the Anatoki Forks Hut.

Anatoki Forks Hut to Lonely Lake Hut (5-7 hr)

Take the track to Lake Stanley. Follow this up to where the track and upper Anatoki separate. There is a small, swampy, scrub-covered flat close to the river at the turn-off point. Follow the true right of the Anatoki on wide bushed river terraces to Grid Reference 640 652 on map BP23 Gouland Downs. There is a large patch of dead forest close to the river here. At the top of this patch a large rock cairn marks the point you climb up a spur onto the main ridge off Drunken Sailor. Once out on the tussock ridge top, follow it towards Drunken Sailor to where you can sidle on your right over tussock under Drunken Sailor to pick up cairns into the saddle that leads to Lonely Lake Hut (basic 3 bunk hut). This route should be quite easy to follow in this direction. Care is required if going the other way to pick up the point to drop off into the Anatoki Valley.

Getting there

Turn off the road at the Bainham Store, 18 km from Collingwood, and follow AA signs along James Road to the Aorere River Bridge. Cross the bridge and follow the road to the end, at Graeme Pomeroy's Boulder River Farms cowshed. Turn left and continue a further 2 km to the Intentions Shelter. Please respect this access by being considerate to the landowner and the stock. Drive slowly. If you plan on arriving after dark please contact the landowner Graeme Pomeroy +64 3 524 8389.

Activities

Each angler must carry a fishing licence.

Plan and prepare

Experienced required

• The Douglas Range route is classified only suitable for Backcountry Adventurers (experienced trampers).
• You need to be well equipped, fit and self-sufficient.
• Poor visibility due to mist on the tops can make route finding and orientation difficult.
• The terrain is often rough.
• There are a number of unbridged rivers and steams.
• Rain and flooded streams can alter your plans.
• Freezing conditions can occur at any time of year.
• Leave your intentions with a friend or relative prior to the start of your trip. Remember to notify them when you have completed your trip.
• Consider carrying a GPS emergency beacon.

Map required

• You need to carry and know how to use a topographic map.
• Topo50 BP24 Takaka and BP23 Gouland Downs are the maps that cover the area.

Remember - your safety is your responsibility.

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